Omaha daily bee., 1919-10-26
PRESIDENT SAYS
PROPOSED STRIKE
is NOT LAWFUL
issues Statement to Operators
and Coal Miners and Asks
That Strike Order Be
Recalled.
Continued from Page One.)


the officers Of the organization
have issued cali to make the
strike effective November !. This
IS one of the gravest steps ever pro-
posed in this country affecting the
economic welfare and the domestic
comfort and health of the people.
1t is proposed to abrogate an agree
ment as to wages which was made
with the sanction of the United
States fuel administration and which
was to run during the continuance
OF the war, but not beyond April l.
l91O. This strike is proposed at a
time when the government is max
ing the most earnest effort to re-
duce the cost of living and has ap-
pealed with success to other classes
OF workers to postpone similar dis
putes until reasonable opportunity
has been afforded for dealing with
the cost of living. 1t is recognized
that the strike would practically
shut off tie country's supply of its
principal fuel at time when inter-
ference with that supply is calcu-
lated to create a disastrous fuel
famine. All interests would be af-
fected alike by a strike of this char
acter and its victims would be not
the rich only. but the poor and the
needy as well-those least able to
provide in advance a fuel supply
for domestic use. 1t would involve
the shutting down Of countless in
dustries and the throwing out of
employment Of large number of
workers of the country. 1t would
involve stopping. the operation of
railroads, electric light and gas
plants, street railway lines and other
public utilities, and the shipping to
and from this country thus prevent
ing our giving aid to the allied coun-
tries with SUPPLIES which they so
seriously need. The country is con-
fronted with this prospect at time
when the war itself is still fact,
when the world is still in suspense
as to negotiations for peace, when
our troops are still being trans
ported and when their means of
transport is in urgent need OF
fuel.
Strike Called Unlawful.
From whatever angle the subject
may be viewed, it is apparent that
such strike in such circumstances
would be the most far-reaching plan
ever presented in this country to
limit the facilities of production and
distribution of necessity of life,
and thus indirectly to restrict the
production and distribution OF all
the recessaries of life. A strike un-
der these circumstances is not only
Improbable, it is unlawful.
"rhe action proposed has ap-
parently been taken without any
vote upon the specific proposition
by the individual members of the
United Mine Workers of America
throughout the United States, an
almost unprecedented proceeding. I
cannot believe that any right of any
American worker needs for its pro-
lection the taking of this extraordi-
nary step, and I am convinced that
when the time and money are con-
sidered, it constitutes q fundamental
attack, which is wrong both morally
and legally, upon the rights of So
ciety and upon the welfare of our
country. I feel convinced that in
dividual members OF the United
Mine Workers would not vote, upon
full consideration, in favor of such
a strike under these conditions.
Public Interest First.
"When movement reaches
point where it appears to involve
practically the entire productive ca
pacity of the country with respect to
one of the most vital necessities of
daily domestic and industrial life,
and when the movement is asserted
in the circumstances have stated
and at time and in manner cal
culated to involve the maximum of
dangers in the public welfare in this
critical hour of our country's life, the
public interest becomes the para
mount consideration.
''In these circumstances. I SOL
EMMY request both the national and
the local officers and also the indi-
vidual members of the United Mine
Workers to recall all orders looking
to a strike on November | and to
take whatever steps may be neees-
sary to prevent any stoppage of
work.
ut is time for plain speaking.
These matters with which we now
deal touch not only the welfare OF
a class, but vitality concern the well
being, the comfort and the very life
of all the people. l feel it is my
duty in the public interest to declare
that any attempt to carry out the
purpose of this strike and thus to
paralyze the industry Of the country
with the consequent suffering and
distress of our people must be con-
sidered a grave, moral and legal
wrong against the government and
the people of the United States. l
can do nothing less than to say that
the law will be inforced and the
means will be found to protect the
interests OF the nation in any emer-
gency that may arise out Of this un-
happy business.
~ express no opinion on the
merits OF the controversy. / have
already suggested plan by which
a settlement may be reached and
hold myself in readiness at the re-
quest of either or both sides to APP
point at ONCE tribunal to investi-
gate all the facts with view to
aiding in the earliest possible settle
ment of the questions at issue be-
tween the coal operators and the
miners, to the end that the Just
rights not only of those interested
but also of the general public may
he fully protectede