The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-11-01
GOMPERS' ATTACK
ON GOVERNMENT
FOR ITS ATTITUDE
IN COAL STRIKE


statement:
Throughout the period of the
war and during the nations time
of stress the miners of America
labored patiently, periodically,
and arduously in order that the
principles of freedom and
democracy might triumph over
: the forces of arbitrary authority,
Dictatorship and despotism.
when armed hostilities ceased
last November the miners found
Themselves in the paradoxical
position where their intensive
labor was being used to further
enrich the owners of the coal
mines and merchants dealing in
coal by the Immediate reduction
of the mining of the coal. or
course the mine owners readily
conceived that an overabundance
of mined coal would seriously dis
turb the high prices of coal and
endanger their large margin of
profits.
Limit of Endurance Reached.
ION the other hand the miners
found that, with the constantly
rising cos. of necessities of life
and with their income reduced
over so per cent because of idle
ness. they had reached the limit
of human endurance.
Orderly and improved proc
esses were invoked to negotiate a
new understanding with the mine
owners which would enable the
miners to work at least five days
during each week throughout the
entire year and allow them a
wage sufficient to enable them to
live in ,decency and free from
many of the pressing uncertain
ties of life.
'In attempting to negotiate
this new understanding and rela-
tion the miners found that their
plea for continuous employment
would destroy the mine owners
arrangement to curtail the min
ing of coal so as to continue ex-
plotting the public with high and
exorbitant prices.
CIeverly Met Issue.
The mine owners very cleverly
met the issue by appearing will
ing and anxious to negotiate, but
only If the miners would first
3 throw aside the only power at
their command to gain a respect
full hearing and fair consideration.
the decision to strike whenever il
was demonstrated fair dealings
did not prevail.
We are now faced with a coal
strike of vast magnitude. The
Government now proposes to in
tervene because of possible coal
shortage. Apparently the Gov
eminent is not concerned with
the manipulation by the mine
owners which has made for pres
emit coat shortage and-undue un-
employment of the miners for the
past eleven months.
Told WARTS Not Over. ~
Instead of dealing with those
responsible for this grave menace
to the public welfare IL now pro-
poses to punish those who by
force of circumstances have been
the victims of the coal barons'
explorations.
The miners are now told the
was is not over and that all war
legislation is still in force, and
IL reports received here are cor
rect the Government intends to
apply existing war measures, not
against the owners of the coal
mines, but against the coal
miners.
The Government has taken
steps to enforce war measures by
an injunction and ii has restrained
the officials of the United States
Mine Workers from counseling.
aiding. or in any way assisting
the members of this organization
for relief against grievous condi-
lions of life and employment.
Abraham Lincoln Quoted.
1t is almost inconceivable that
Government which is proud of
its participation in a great war
to liberate suppressed peoples
should now undertake aims, hopes
and aspirations of a group of it's
own people.
IT is still more strange that a
nation which may justly be proud
of it's Abraham Lincoln should
now reverse the application of the
great truth he enunciated when
he said that as between capital
and labor, labor should receive
first and foremost consideration.
Injunction Bodies Ill.
The injunction against the
United Mine Workers BODIES for i'll.
An injunction of this nature will
not prevent the strike-it will not
fill the empty stomachs of the
miners. 1t may restrain sane
leadership, but will give added
strength to unwise counsel and
increase bitterness and friction.
This Injunction can only result
in creating new and more disturb
ing issues which may not be con-
fined solely to the miners. These
views were presented to Attorney
General Palmer in a conference
lasting nearly two hours by Presi-
dent Gompers, Secretary Morrison
and Vice President Vol, of the