The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-09-09
Nationwide Miners WaIkout
November Threatened.
Acting United Mine Workers
Head Urges Action.
TAKE SUBTLE SLAP At SENATE
Men Not To Blame for Peace
Delay, He Says.
Demand Wages Promised at
End of War.

Cleveland, O.. Sept s-Recom-
me1dations for a nationwide strike Of
coal miners by November l unless a
satisfactory basic agreement in the
central competitive field Is reached by
that date, was made here today by
John L Lewis. acting president Of the
United Mine Workers of America. in
an address at the opening OF the bieu-
NAL convention Of that organization
Lewis declared that 50 far as the
mine workers were concerned the war
Is at an end. despite the refusal Of the
United States senate TO ratify the
peace treaty Going on the assuuP-
zion that the United States was at
peace with the world. Lewis recon-
mended the abrogatiou Of all war time
clauses affecting the mine workers
Not To Blame for Delay.
The United Mine Workers Of Amer
lea are in no way responsible for the
failure Of the United States to ratify
the peace treaty within a reasonab BILE
length Of lime. and thus officially
terminate the Washington wage agree
ment in the bicuminous field Lewis
said 'We>are today face to face with
the situation wherein we cannot just
fly further delay as concerns our own
affairs accordingly recommend
that this convention take action de-
clarfng the Washington wage agree
ment officially terminated At a date
not later than November l.
In the event that a basic agree
nent in the central competitive field
is not negotiated by the date fixed for
the expiration OF the present contract,
I recommend that there be no sec
tioDaI settlements by districts. but thai
there be a complete cessation of mine
operations thruout our entire jurisdic-
ton.
= recommend that the autonatis
Z IL
time provision in the Washington
wage agreement be eliminated in oul
next contract"
Urges Naturalization.
Wage demands OF the anthracite
miners recently formulated in Wilkes
I barre. Pa. 10 be effective at the ex-
/ piration of the present wage agree
: ments in March Of 1890, will be en-
! dorsed by the convention, Lewis init
| mated.
! Lewis presented a report Of the pol
] icy committee OF the organization
which on March 20. 1919, declared II
favor of a six-hour day, five days 4
/ week, a substantial increase in wage:
/ and the naturalization and demo
| cratic management Of all coal min e.
/ in the United States He denounced
/ the efforts of William c. McAdoo and
/ John Shelton Williams to secure Goa
/ at q lower rate for the railroads thar
I the prevailing price fixed by the gov
! eminent, during McAdoo's tenure a!
( director general OF railroads.
/ Walker D. Hines. present director
! general also attempted a similar price
reduction. and It required a hard figh
{ by the mine workers to bring him II
/ line. Lewis said The speaker said h
could see no valid reason why the rail
roads of the country. consuming one
third OF the bituminous coal produc
ton. should be privileged to secur'
coal under the price charged the con
Stunning public Permitting the rail
roads to purchase coal below the pre-
vaiIinE price meant transferring tn
1 difference TO the burdens Of the con
sumers-
Assails the I. W. W.
Lewis took a slap at the "one BIZ
union" the I. W W. the Provincial
/ Workers association and the Work
ing Class union Of the southwest b.
/ declaring them founded on the day
= Dreams OF visionaries." and Lacking
a proper conception Of our industrial
! needs and in failing TO recognize tn
prodigious achievements OF the legiti
mate trade union movement"