Omaha daily bee., 1919-10-30
Miners Say Strike
Cannot Be Avoided,
So Must Walk Out

The statement issued by the
miners today following their deter
mination to strike November l, fol-
lows;
"The conference of United Mine
Workers, composed of members Of
the international executive board,
the scale committee of the Central
competitive district and the district
presidents, United Mine Workers of
America, gave most profound con-
sideration to the statement of the
president OF the United States, which
appeared in the public press recent
ly, relati0 to the impending strike
of bituminous miners set for
November /. No communication
was received by the international Of
fcers of the United Mine Workers
of America from either the presi-
dent of the United States or any
representative of the federal gov
ernment.
"a canvass of the entire situation
shows that 4 strike of bituminous
miners cannot be avoided. A regu-.
larly constituted convention of
representative of the United Mine
Workers held at Cleveland, O., on
September Is, ordered strike of
bituminous coal mine workers to be-
come effective November l, in the
event wage scale was not
negotiated before that time. The
highest authority in the organiza-.
ton has acted in this manner, and
no representatives of the organiza-
ton have authority to set such ac-
ton 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 now expired.
Lay Blame to Operators.
"The responsibility for the strike
rests with the coal operators. They
have refused to. negotiate a wage
agreement, notwithstanding the fact
the mine workers representatives
have urged and beseeched them to
do so. The fundamental causes
which prompted the mine workers
to take this drastic action are deep
seated. For two years their wages
have remained stationary. They
appealed one year ago to the Fed
eral Fuel Administrator, DIR. Gar
field, and from him to the president
of the United States for an increase
in wages sufficient to meet the in
creased cost of necessaries of life
Their appeal was rejected and their
requests refused. Notwithstanding
this, they continued mining coal un-
til now their contract expires, when
they are determined that their griev-
ances must be adjusted in reason
ably satisfactory manner.
"The courts have held that the
workingmen have a right to strike
and may work either singly or col.
leetively for the purpose of redress.
ing grievances and righting wrongs
The constitution and guarantees Of
this free government give men the
right to work or quit work indi.
vidually or collectively.
Exercising Their Right.
"The mine workers, therefore, are
but exercising the right guaranteed
by the constitution and which can
! not be taken away by the represent
atives of government when they quiz
work or when they refuse to work
until their grievances are adjusted
The mine workers representatives
are ready, willing and anxious to
meet the coal operators for the pur,
pose of negotiating an agreement
and bringing about a settlement OF
the present unhappy situation. They
will respond at any time to call
for such meeting and will honestly
endeavor to work out wage agree
ment upon a fair and equitable ba-
sis. Such action alone will put the
mines in operation and guarantee
the nation an adequate supply OF
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