The Washington times., 1919-11-19

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| prove miners homo conditions and
set up pit committees. with miners
representation. to deal with safety
aucs'iohs. But, nstly. the govern
meht VIII not countenance the min
ers desire 90 share In the business
management OF the mines.
Robert Smillie, veteran leader of
the coal hewers. and his vigorous
lieutenant Frank Hodges. graduate
OF Ruskin College, Oxford. challenge
the governments position. which they'
declare to be dictated, not In the IN
terests OF either the pub,ic or the
miners, but OF the coal operators.
Sunicient data was developed by
the coal probe to give these ft.ci,.
eSpouhders OF workmen's rights an
excellent opportunity to- gain wide
support They are prepared TO rake
the most Of II in a national cam
paisn. ..-.
Make Clear Cat Issue.
! The miners leads hope to influence
the majority of trade union men, ana
, make the issue a clear-cut one by oil
'dherents of naturalization against
the government. 1t will be the coun-
rvs first fight Of that character.
The miners propaganda is aimed a.
predetermine the action of the Trades
Union Congress. which is pledged tc
stand by the miners and compel the
Governments acceptance of nation
lli1ation. 1t IL not expected that the
Trades Union Congress will be sum
noned In special session until the re
urn OF nessrs. Burning. Bawermar
md Sexton from the Washington La.
Dor Conference.
Unless the Trades Union Congress
| which has long indorsed the nation
alization ideA, backs down, the onIJ
( action open to II which might infla
snce the Governments stand is
general strike. Whether that weapon
would be called into play is probe
natieal The miners hope to force
he Congress hand.
However. the miners leaders them
selves have no clear-cut mandate
rom the Membership for a strike
'olely to force naturalization. A re
'ent ballot indorsed a strike to force
shorter hours. more pay and nation
alization. But the wages and hours
question have been settled already by
arbitration The government Is bank
| ing strongly on the theory that tho
| miners would not vote q strike tor
imply a principle of .nattonaliz.i-
iion,' having already. attained bot
.er wages and hours.
Nstisaahsafis~ T.sue.
But Smifiie and Hodges do not sce
| = that way. They feel they can
| easily persuade the miners that their
Whole future is bound up with the
naturalization isste; that If they win
| IL now their future demands for
wages. safety conditions etc, will be
in their own hands. Smiliie contends
he governments offer would per-
,etuate most ef the evils from which
the miners still suffer. due mainly 0
he fact the mines would be operated
| primarily for profit and not pfimar-
| ly to give the miners a decent job
| properly safesuarded from perils, and
| Dsy which would allow them to have
.ome of life's comforts.
Hodges contends the premier's pro-
| oosaL for pit committees would not
| De effective IL adopted. for such com
.nittee would be entirely advisory. and
the premier's offer to give the min
! ers consultative representatives. on
| mining boards would mean little, BE-
cause the miners would be in a min
| ority.
Csai stsrvs MsaSer.
Under the unified system such rs
the government suggests," said Presi-
dent SmilHe, Of the Niners' Federa-
tion, profits would still be the chief
factor. and undsr that system we
need not expect greater safety for the
miner. Tho Prime Minister has fail
ed to grasp the importance OF ma
tionalizatioa. That 10 why We have
carried the fight to the people"
Should there be . miners strike
British industry would soon be para
lyzed. for coal stores on hand are
meager.
Unless there 10 some comproni.o
offered by the Government giving
the miners q larger share in saving
how the mines snail be conducted. to-
gether with promise TO adopt na-
tionalization within a few years. the
country may be forced fAts 4 EensseI
election.