The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-10-27
PRESIDENT WILSON'S APPEAL
To MINERS To CALL OFF STRIKE

alike by strike of this character. and
its victims would not be the rich only,
but the poor and needy as wcll-thosc
! least able 10 provide in advance a fuel
supply for domestic use.
1T would involve the shutting down
Of countless industries and the throw
ing out OF employment of q large part
OF the workers Of the country. 1t
, would involve stopping the operation
Of the railroad. electric light and gas
plants. street railway lines and other
public utilities and the shipping to and
from this country. thus preventing our
! giving aid to the allied countries with
supplies which they so seriously need.
! The country il confronted with the pros
Dert at a time while the war itself is
still n fact. when the world is still in
suspense as TO negotiations for peace.
when our troops are still being trans
ported and when their means Of trans
port is in urgent need Of fuel.
From whatever angle the subject
may be- viewed II is apparent that such
strike in such circumstances would
be the most far reaching plan ever pre-
scntcd in this country to limit the IA
cilitics of production and distribution
Of a necessity Of life. and thus indirect
IL 10 restrict the production and distri-
button Of all the ncccssarieA Of life. A
strike under these circumstances is not
only unjustifablc. it is unlawful.
Individual Vote Not Taken.
The action proposed has apparently
been taken without any vote on the
specific proposition by the individual
members OF tho United Mine Workers
Of America throughout the United
states. al almost unprecedented pro-
cecding. ! cannot believe that any right
Of any American worker needs for its
protection the taking Of this e1traordI-
nary step. and l am convinced that
when the time and manner arc consid-
cred it constitutes a fundamental attack
which is wrong both morally and legal
~ upon the rights of society and upon
the welfare of our country. I feel con-
WINGED that individual members of the
United Mino Workers would not vote.
on full consideration. in favor Of such
Il strike under these conditions.
When a movement reaches the point
where 1t appears to involve practically
IN" entire productive capacity of the
country with respect to one OF the most
vital necessities of caily domestic and
industrial life. and when the movement
is asserted in tho circumstances have
stated and at time and in manner
calculated to involve the maximum Of
danger 10 tho public welfare in this
critical hour Of our country's life. tho
public interest becomes the paramount
consideration.
"ln these circumstances 7 solemnly
request both the national and the local
officers and also tho individual members
of United Mine Workers Of America 10
recall all orders looking for a strike on
November !, and to take whatever steps
may l." necessary to prevent any stop
page or work.
Time for Plain Speaking.
ut is time for plain speaking. These
matters with which We now deal touch
not only the welfare Of a class, but
vitality concern tho we'll being. the COM
fort and the very life OF all the people.
! feel II my duty in the public interest
10 declare that any attempt 10 carry
out the purpose of this strike and thus
to paralyze the industry Of the country.
with the consequent suffering and dis
trcss of all our people, must be consid-
cred a grave moral and legal wrong
against the government and the people
Of the United states. can de- nothing
less than to say that the law Will be
enforced and means will be found TO
protect tho interests Of the nation IN
any emergency that may arise out Of
this unhappy business.
Il express no opinion on tho merits
OF Tn" controversy. l have already suE-
gcstrd a plan by which settlement
may be reached. and 7 hold myself in
readiness At the request Of either or
both sides TO appoint ut once n tribunal
tn inv"stiEaIc all n" facts with view
settlement OF the questions at issue be-