South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-10-30
NINERS BLAME
COAL BAR0NS
Say Operators Refused to Ne
gOtiate Wage Agreement,
Although Urged.

INDIANAPOLIS oct 1f-The
position Of the United Mine Work
ers OF America as outlined no the
conference here "Wednesday night is
as follows.
The conference Of the United
Mine Workers, composed OF mem
bers OF the international executive
board. and the district presidents
United Mine WORKERS Of America
gave most profound consideration 20
the statement Of the president OF
the United States. which appeared
IN the public press recently. rela-
tive TO the impending strike Of biz
luminous miners set for Nov. T. so
communication was received Lv the
international officers Of the United
Mine Workers Of America from
either the president or any repre-
sentative OF the federal govern
ment.
Strike TnavOidabIc.
"a canvass Of the entire situa-
ton shows that a strike of bitumi-
nous miners cannot be avoided q
regularly constituted convention OF
representative Of the United Mine
Workers. held at Cleveland. Dhio.
on September 25. ordered strike
Of bituminOus miners 20 become Of
fective Nov. I I'm the event a wage
scale was not negotiated before that
time. TIE highest authority iu the
organization has acted i'm this man
ner. and no representa- tivcs OF tho
organization have authority % set
such action aside The facts are
that the same supreme authority
which ordered the pending strike is
the same as that which approved
the contract which has NOT expired.
Strike Responsibility.
"The responsibility for the strike
rests with the coal operators Thcv
have refused TO negotiate a wage
agreement, notwithstaudn- the
facts that the mine workers repre-
sentatives had urged and besccched
them 10 do so. The fundamental
causes which prompted the mime
workers 10 take this drastic action
are deep seated. For two years
their wages have remained station
airy They appealed. one year ago.
TO the fuel administrator. Dr. Car
field. and from him 10 the pres.-
dent Of the United States. for am
increase i'm wages sufficient 90 meet
the increase in the cost of the mo-
cessaries OF life Their appeal was
rejected and their request refused.
Notwithstanding this. they con-
tinued mining coal until now thcjr
contract expires, when they are de-
termiued that their grievances must
o.
tory manner.
THE courts have held that the
working men have right TO strike
and may quit work either singy or
collectively for the purpose OF re-
dressing grievances and riEhtnE
wrongs. The constitution and guar
antecs OF this free government sivo
men the right 20 work or quit work
individually or collectively.
Exercise Right
Tho mine workers Therefore are
hut exercising the right guaranteed
by the constitution and which cam
not be taken away by the represcu-
tatives of government whcr they
quit work or when they refuse 20
work until their grievances are adj
iusted. The mine workers repre-
sentativee are ready willing and
anxious 20 meet the coal operators
for the purpose Of negotiating am
agreement and brinEing about soft
tfcmeut of the present unhappy sit-
uatiou They viii respond at any
time To- n call for such mccting
and viii honestly endeavor 90 work
out "a wage agreement upon f1ir
and equitable basis SuCh agree
ment alone viii put the mines Iu OPP
Grafton and guarantee the nation an
adequate supply OF coal We assert
that the mine workers nave mo-
other purpose i'm view-other than
TO secure "a WORKING wage agree
ment All of their demands are
incorporated i'm the vase proposal
submitted 90 the coal operators and
each and an are subject 10 nego-
tigtions
conscious OF the grave RESPONSE
bility resting upon the representa-
ttves OF the coal miners. we have no
other alternative than 90 carry out
the instructions of the United Mine
Workers convention. The issue has
been made and if it must Pee sct-
tied upon the field az Industrial bait
tie. the responsibility rests fairly
and squarely upon the coal blrons
alone"