The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-09-21
MINERS TAKE STAND
ON NATURALIZATION
Convention Demands Action
by U. s. Following Seiz-
ure of Roads.
STRIKE PLEA REFUSED
Radicals Sought General Tie
up to Free Political
Prisoners.

CLEVELAND, Sept. 20.-The convention
OF the United Mine Workers of America
to-day developed its plan for the ma
tionalization of coal mines, which In
cludes purchase by the Federal Gov
eminent Of all private mines at their
actual value as determined by Federal
Apr isers, and operation by the Federal
Government, with equal miner repre-
sentation upon the bodies administering
the industry and fixing wages and con-
dltions of employment.
Naturalization Of coal mines in Can
ada is also proposed. The miners offer
right Of way to naturalization of rail-
roads, provided the railroad brother
hoods pledge themselves to continue the
fight with equal vigor for the nationali-
zntion of mines. Action was taken by a
unanimous rising vote.
The convention further adopted reso-
lutions demanding legislation to take
from the United States Supreme Court
the power to declare unconstitutional
laws passed by the Congress calling
upon President Wilson to remove Post
master-General Burleson, as the "un-
charitab BILE. harsh and malignent' oppo-
nent of labor, and asking a new trial
or full pardon for Thomas ]. Mooney
and Warren X. Billings. the repeal Of
the espionage act and amnesty for
political prisoners.
1t refused, however. to call a pro-
posed general strike and stoppage Of all
production until all political and in
dustrial prisoners are released and in
its resolution of the espionage act de-
clared that many offenders had been
justly convicted for interfering with the
prosecution of the war and that II had
no desire to condone such offences.
Asks Milne Standardization.
The resolution in regard to nationall-
cation of mines reads in part as fol-
lows:
Coal mining is a basic industry. in
dispensable to the economic life of the
nation and to the we'll being of the ma
tion's citizens.
THE all important coal resources of
our country are owned and controlled by
private interests. Under the prevail
ing system of private ownership coal is
mined primarily for the purpose of ere
ating profits. The production OF coal
under this system is characterized by
an appalling economic waste The in
comparable natural resources of Amerl-
ca, and particularly those of timber and
coal, are being despoiled under a sys-
tenn of production which wastes from
80 to so per cent. OF these resources in
order that the maximum amount of divi-
dends may accrue to those capitalists
who have secured ownership of the in
dispensable commodities.
I'VE hold that the coal supply OF our
nation should be owned by the common
wealth and operated in the interest OF
and for the use and comfort OF all the
people OF the commonwealth. Countless
generations OF men and women will
doubtless follow US, and the American
people of this generation owe a solemn
| duty to them in protecting with Jealous
care and conserving with wise admins
tration those great treasures which q
bounteous nature has bestowed upon us
in such generous store.
Our coal sources are the birthright
Of the American people for all time to
come and We hold that It is the imme-
diate duty OF the American people &c
prevent the profiigate waste that is TAX
| ing place under private ownership o.
these resources by having the Govern
ment take such steps as may be neces-
sary providing for the Naturalization
of the coal mining industry.
Under private ownership, where pro
duction is conducted for private gain
the spirit of these times seems to b.
After us the deluge.' This must be sup
| planted by a system where production
will be for use and the common gooC
and economic waste will give way &c
conservation of the nations heritage II
the interest OF posterity.
I'VE, the United Mine Workers o
| America, in international convention as
! sembled. representing the workers VIII,
have their lives and the welfare of thelI
dependents invested in the coal mines O
the country, do therefore resolve,
hot
| tionalization OF the coal mining industr,
OF the United States. That we instruc
our international officers and the inter
national executive board to have a bill
prepared for submission to Congress.
containing the following provisions:
First: That the Government through