Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-11-01
GOmpers Statement
Continued from PAGE One)

coal by the immediate reduction OF
the mining Of the coal. OF course.
the mine owners readily conceived
that an over-abundance of mined
coal would seriously disturb the high
prices of coal and endanger their
large margin of profits.
"On the other hand, the miners
found that, with the constantly rising
cost of necessities of life and with
their income reduced over SO per cent
because of idleness. they had reached
the limit of human endurance. Or
derby improved prices were invoked
to negotiate a new understanding
with the mine owners, and which
would enable the miners to work at
least five days during each week
throughout the entire year and allow
them a wage sufficient to enable
them to live in decency and free from
many of the pressing uncertainties
of life.
I'm attempting to negotiate thi.i
new undertaking and relation the
miners found that their plea for con-
tinuous employment would destroy
Tic llIluC OWhClo ~
curtail the mining of coal SO as to
continue exploiting the public with
high and exorbitant prices.
THE mine owners very cleverly
met the issue by appearing willing
and anxious to negotiate. but only if
the miners would first throw aside
the only power at their command to
gain a respectful hearing and fair
consideration-the decision to strike
whenever it was demonstrated fair
dealings did not prevail.
I'VE are now faced with coal strike
of vast magnitude. The government
now proposes to intervene because of
possible coal shortage. Apparently
the government is not concerned with
the manipulation by the mine OWL
ers which has made for present Goa!
rhortage and undue unemployment of
the miners for the past eleven
months. Instead of dealing with those
responsible for this grave menace to
the public welfare. it now proposes to
punish those who by force of circl.n-
stances have been the victims Of the
coal barons' explorations. The min
ers now are told the war is not over
and that all war legislation is still in
force, if reports received here are cor
rect the government intends to apply
existing war measures. not against
the owners of the coal mines but
against the coal miners. The gov
eminent has taken steps to enforce
war measures by an Injunction and it
has restrained the officials Of the uni
ted mine workers from counselling,
aiding or in any way assisting the
members Of this organization for re-
lief against grievous conditions OF
life and employment.
ut is almost inconceivable that a
government which is proud of its
participation in a great war to lib
crate suppressed peoples should now
undertake to suppress the legitimate
aims, hopes and aspirations of a
group of it's own people, It still. is
more strange that a nation which
may justly be proud of it's Abraham
Lincoln should now reverse the ap-
plication of the great truth he enun-
ciated " hen he said that, as between
capital and labor, labor should re-
ceive first and foremost consideaa-
ton. ----
1.-THE injunction against the Unit
ed Mire Workers BODIES for Ill. An
injunction Of this nature will not pre-
vent the strike-it VIII not fill the
empty stomachs Of the miners-it
may restrain sane leadership, but
will give added strength to unwise
counsel and increase bitterness and
friction.
This Injunction can only result
in Gre a ting new and more disturbing
issues which may not be confined
solely to the miners. Those views were
presented to Attorney General Palm
er in a conference this afternoon last
ing nearly two hours by President
Gompers. Secretary Morrison and
Vice President Vol, Of the American
Federation OF Labor"