Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1919-11-21
NEWS review OF
CURRENT EVENTS
Mine Leaders Call Off Strike and
Meet With Operators for
Negotiations.
MEN SLOW TO RESUME WORK
A. F. 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 a disposition to
remain idle until their wage demands
had been adjusted. This, however, was
doubtless due to their incomplete un-
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
retary 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-
tion 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 tremendous threat in the
Injunction method adopted by the gov
ernment, 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-
cfded, 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
tions Of necessary production. 1t will
also oppose the anti-strike provisions
Of the Cummins railroad bill.
| On the other hand, Senator Cummins
planned to introduce an amendment te
his bill prohibiting strikes in all basic
Industries and providing for compul
sorry arbitration. These industries are
fuel, foodstuffs, clothing, iron and stee
and building materials. No doubt tht
fate Of this amendment will depend
largely on developments before it il
considered by the senate, for many
senators who are against Injunction!
as a general policy are determined tt
see that the American people are no
oppressed by the tyranny of a rela
lively small class.