Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-11-02
Putting the Government to Test

WITH the bituminous coal fields of the
w nation in the grip OF strike involving
something like 100000 miners belonging to
the organization Of the United Mine Workers
of America, entered upon in defiance of n
restraining order issued by Judge Anderson
OF the Federal District Court at indianapolis
upon the application Of the Department of
Justice, the government is face to face with
test of its powers to enforce obedience to
it's lawful authority, exercised to avert
great disaster to the country. All depart
ments or the government are OF one mind
in their determination to uphold the admin
istration in its declared purpose to prevent
the paralyzation of the country's industries
and the bringing OF untold suffering upon
the people by this unjustifable attempt at
dictatlon by class organization. This deter
mination was emphasized by the action of
the House in unanimously adopting the SEN
ate resolution pledging the support OF Con-
gress TO President Wilson in his strong stand
against the walkout
In invoking the authority Of the courts to
restrain union officials from further activi-
ties in directing the progress of the strike.
thereby preventing its successful issue, the
general issue OF the right of the workingman
to strike is in no wise infrnged. that right
being clearly recognized in existing law, and
no attempt is made to challenge it. On the
contrary, as explained by the Attorney
General. this case must be differentiated
its facts from all other cases in which in
functions have been used. This" he says
lis the government itself, using it's own
courts to protect itself from paralysis. 1t
is not an injunction obtained by employers
nor for the benefit Of employers, not to set
tie the controversy, but to save the people
Of the entire country from disaster. 1t
doesn't affect the right OF a man to work
when he peases."
toto t,o
officials of the mine workers union, without
submitting the question of calling strike to
direct vote OF its members, have arbitrarily
used their authority to call the workers out
in defiance of contractual obligations, after
peremptorily rejecting all offers made by the
government to arbitrate the issues in contro-
versy, at the beginning OF winter in the be-
lief that such action will bring suffering
directly into the homes Of all the people and
result in such universal protest as will force
acceptance of the miners demands without
regard to their justice to end the incon-
Venlence and suffering that is expected 10
ensue Should the miners support their Off
Gals in this violent undertaking. and the
latter continue to refuse the friendly Offices
OF negotiation and arbitration to effect a
settlement. there will be no other course left
to the government but to invoke lawful pro-
cesses, to bring to bear all the resources OF
power at its command to defeat the strike,
ana, II need be. 10 deal summarily under
the law IN punishment OF those who under
take to obstruct these lawful processes.
The protest of American federation leaders
at the strong methods set in motion by the
government to effect its purpose Of averting
the threatened calamity with the prediction
that the course OF action decided upon will
give added strength to unwise counsel and
increase bitterness and friction" will as
suredly fail OF realization, for in a contest
which so plainly is directed at testing the
strength OF government Itself it is incon-
ceivab!e that the great mass of organized
labor viii lend its sympathy and support to
movement so wholly at variance with its
principles and ambitions as Judged by its
past