The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-09-11
ANISMINE WAGE
AGREEMENT TOEND.
NOVEMBER FIRST.
President Lewis Makes
Many Recommendations
in Annual Report.
Scores ASSIGNED CARS
Declares Director General
Hines Tried to Revive
Vicious Practice.
SCORES ASSIGNED CARS

CLEVELAND, Ohio, Sept. 11-John
j. Lewis, acting president of the Unit
ca Nine Workers OF America, made the
following specific recommendations in
his address to the delegates in the
biennial convention OF that organiza'
lion in session here.
First: The United Mine Workers Of
AMERICA are in no way responsible
for the failure of the Senate of the
United States to ratify the treaty OF
peace within reasonable length OF
time and thus officially terminate the
Washington wage agreement in the
bituminous field. We have, as an or
eanization, demonstrated our good
faith and exhibited every moral de-
sire to liquidate our responsibilities.
We are today, however, face to race
with the situation wherein we cannot
Justify any further delay as concerns
our own affairs. l accordingly rec
ommend that this convention take &C.
ton declaring the Washington wage
aereement officially terminate at a
date not later than November 1.
Second: In the event that a basic
agreement in the central competitive
field is not negotiated by the date
liked for the expiration of the present
contract, / recommend that there be
no sectional settlements by districts
or BY groups Of districts but that there
be acomplete cessation of mine oper-
otihne fhronghout the entire jurisdic-
ton.
Third: In the event that a satisfac-
tory basic agreement is reached in the
central competitive field, then it shall
from It's date of operation affect all
outlying districts and be retroactive to
that date.
Fourth: i recommend that the au-
iomatic penalty clause, incorporated
wartime provision in the Wash
ington wage agreement, be eliminated
Is our next contract"
Mr.. Lewis called attention to the
fact that arrangements have been
completed for a joint conference be-
tween miners and operators OF the
central competitive field, to meet in
Bufiaio, N. Y, on Sept. rs, immediate
IL following the close of the conven-
ton. The representation at this con.
ference will be eight operators, and
eitit miners from each of the four
sttes. western Pennsylvania, Ohio
Indiana and Illinois, which compose
the central competitive field.
He said the tri-district convention
of anthracite miners, recently held al
Wiikesbarre, Pa formulated a set o.
wage demands for the anthracite oper'
atofs. to take effect at the termination
81 their present wage agreement or
March 81, 1920.
Il IS expected that this convention
Win ratify the wage demands OF the
anthfacite miners.
MrsLewis related in detail the &C
tiyiHes Of the United Mine Workers
IA cosoperation with the unitet
states Fuel Administration during the
war. Including all the negotiations
that resulted In what is known as thu
Warrington agreement which was SUI
Elemental to the Joint agreement will
the bituminous operators, and which
rfanted to the Mine Workers an in
crease in wages. He pointed out tina
through the fuel administration the
covernment recognized the rights o
the miners to organize and bargain
coiIectiyely in regard to wage matters
ne said that while the union was no
officially recognized by the Govern
ment to the extent Of the closed shop
ys the rule was established requiring
employers to relinQuish the right t
dlscharge employees because of affili
alton with labor unions, also requiring
employers to recognize the right o
fhelr employees to organize by peaceful
inelhods that do not interrupt produc
ton also that where the union shol
existed the same should continue, AM
Where union and non union men worI
iogether the continuance of such con
dltions should not be deemed a griov
anreS
ebeaking Of the work done by Rem
hf8ndt Peale Of Pennsylvania, repre-
-nting the operators, and John P
WHITE former president Of the Unite
M|no Workers, representing the min
rrn. IS Joint heads of the labor burea
or To fuel administration Mr.. Levi
raidt
cEBfs, Peal and White, with thei
4 rronn % associates operating unde
iha i6fherity Of the Government, rem
fsrtd the fullest cooperation to OF
hnoa and lebored diligently at al
i|,os 10 expedite the considerable!
r. ~ aaestlons wherein our interest
rsfo Involved, Their unseltlsh an
tm'aently successful efforts stand on
he greatest accomplishment Of tn
Inlltd states Fuel Administration
nnl more than any other factor in tina
tecncy contributed to the maintenance
III interpretation and stability in tn
aiming Industry OF our nation"
On tie subject Of the high cost Q
lt'ns as Il affects the coal miners
l Lewis said:
~ astonishing increase in tn
ntci ~ the necessities of life hav
hc-a the cause Of deep concern an
fInre apprehension Of the workers G
ia entlFs country and particular
h mining industry. This condition
|irklnG directly at the home Of tn
rorre has created great unrest, tha
Is manifested IN the stern determin
|ton II hesMolf OF al trades an