The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-12-04
Mine Leaders Call Off Strike and
Meet With Operators for
Negotiations.
men SLOW TO RESUME WORK
A. r. Of L. Planning Fight on Govern
ment's Methods-Crisis Near in
Railroad Labor and Legislation
Court Decisions Favor
Wets-Convention of
American Legion.
BY EDWARD w. PIcKARD.

Yielding to the authority and power
Of the government, the leaders of the
Mine Workers union complied with
the mandatory order Of Judge Ander-
son and called off the strike. Their
action was hailed with delight by
the authorities and by the country gen.
orally, but its expected good effect
was not apparent Immediately In
deed, in most of the bituminOus dis
tricts the men showed disposition to
remain idle until their wage demands
had been adjusted. This, however, was
doubtless due to their incomplete I'M
derstanding of the situation and to
unavoidable delay in distributing the
cancelling order.
The government lost no time in TAX
ing steps to bring about an amicable
agreement between the operators and
the men. The cabinet instructed Sec
rotary of Labor Wilson to summon all
parties to conference in Washington,
and at this writing the representatives
Of both sides are trying to formulate
new working pact. The cabinet
members were all of the opinion that
the miners officials were entitled, by
their action, to the fullest considera-
ton Of their list Of grievances, and
that the operators should be held to
their promise to submit to negotiation.
and, if that fails, to arbitration.
Compliance with the court order by
the miners officials came as something
Of surprise to the executive COM
mittee OF the American Federation of
Labor, which had advocated resistance
and promised unlimited support to the
strikers. The federation leaders rec
ognized a tremendous threat in the
Injunction method adopted by the gov
eminent, and, not retreating from their
announced position, have started on
a campaign to defend the fundamental
principles of organized labor. In the
first place, they advised the mine work
ers to carry to the Supreme court an
appeal from Judge Anderson's restrain
ing order. This Mr.. Lewis declined to
do, at least before the Washington con-
ference, for they apparently have ac-
cepted the governments assurance that
the suit was not to prevent strikes
generally, but to prevent violation OF
the law. The federation also has de-
cided, it was reported, to oppose in
congress the extension of the Lever
food and fuel act asked for by the
attorney general, for the purpose. of
dealing with strikes and other restric-
lions of necessary production. It will
also oppose the anti-strike provisions
of the Cummins railroad bill.
On the other hand, Senator Cummins
planned to introduce an amendment to
his bill prohibiting strikes in ell basic
industries and providing for compul-
sorry arbitration. These industries are
fuel, foodStuffs, clothing, iron and steel
and building materials. No doubt the
fate Of this amendment will depend
largely on developments before it is
considered by the senate, for many
senator's who are against injunctions
as a general policy are determined to
see that the American people are not
oppressed by the tyranny of a rela-
lively small class.
A crisis is approaching in both rail-
road labor and railroad legislation.
The railroad brotherhoods are still ne
gotiating with Director General Hines
for an adjustment of wages, and it is
predicted in Washington that the in
creases they are trying to get before