Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-11-08
PETNPERS0NAL
POLITICS CAUSE
STRIKE, ASSERTED
David Lawrence Declares
U. S. Agents Have VerI-
fled Hints.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

fled Hints.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
Government agents have verified the
theory so often limited at since the coal
strike began that, apart from the just
grievances and local conditions In the
industry producing dissatisfaction, there
has been at the bottom OF Americas
most acute industrial conflict of today
a campaign of petty personal politics.
What had happened in the coal In
dustry is true of other industries and
may occur in still other lines OF pro.
duction unless the rank and file OF
labor sees the fatal course on which
the radical leaders have embarked and
turn again to the conservatives for guild
ance.
Personal Ambition Causes Strike.
For the projection of coal strike.
with its untold damage and suffering. is
nothing more or less than tn conse-
quence of personal ambition on the part
of a group of men inside the ranks OF
the United Mine Workers of America.
These facts have been proved to the
satisfaction Of the Department of
Justice and are no small factor in the
vigorous attitude of the government
in insisting that a class of men shall
not be permitted in America to take
an action that affects the life and COM
fort OF the rest of the nation.
The presidency of the United Mine
Workers Of America is by analogy as
much sought after by the local and
district and state leaders of the or
CARNATIONS as is the presidency OF
the United States by men in Congress.
But the tactics and the weapons are
not the same. The ambitious leaders
Of the miners seize upon the sources
Of dissatisfaction, no matter how just
or unjust. and make extravagant
promises to the miners. claiming that
If elected to Office they will bring
ever Is most extreme in his promises
and carries with his argument a per-
suasive touch SO that the miners come
to believe he can do what he pledges
is likely to unseat the man already In
office.
White Resigns Office.
It SO happens that in the United
Mine Workers Of America John p.
White was president when America
entered the war. He was called to
assist Fuel Administrator Garfield IN
and resigned. Frank j.
icaily succeeded White. John l..
Lewis. then secretary. was selected
to become vice president. The same
Lewis is at present the head OF the
coal strike and It was largely because
Of his anxiety to retain his position
that the strike was called.
Harrington Makes Demands.
Mr.. Hayes took sick and the duties
Of the presidency fell upon Mr.. Lewis.
as vice president. The ambitious In
rolling was Frank Harrington. presi-
dent Of the Illinois Miners .Assocta-
ton. He began issuing circulars not
especially directed at Mr.. Hayes or his
associate. Mr.. Lewis, but fomenting a
demand for wage increases and short
er hours. Presently, by the methods
Of organization and canvass 50 ia
miliar to party politicians, petitions
began to flow into the miners ma
tional headquarters from various
parts of the country.
= Hayes-Lewis Platform. :
Mr.. Hayes became alarmed. He
called a convention. In that conven-
tion, he thought the only expedient
thing to do was to go harrington one
better. He out-radicaled the radicals.
He presented a program Tor a six
hour day. five-day' week and national
ization Of the. coal mines that became
the decision Of the convention. Mr..
Lewis is credited with writing the
report 1t was the platform Of Hayes
and Lewis. The radicals pressed hard.
feeling that Lewis. who in July be-
came president owing to the incapac-
Ity Of Hayes, would no: be able to
make good on his promises. Earring
ton. in the meantime. who was behind
the agitation. announced himself as
q candidate for the presidency OF the
miners union. Political sharpshoot-
ing began. Mr.. Lewis made a report
to the September convention, In which
he outgenera1ed his opponents by con-
Meeting up their various demands ana
them In more attractive
form. His report was adopted.
Demands Impossible.
The coal miners have the right Of
collective bargaining. But impossible
demands were presented by the lead
ers Involving a tremendous increase
not only in the cost of production. but
In the eventual cost to the consumer
OF his coal. mo average miner was
anxious to get higher pay and shorter
hours II he could. According to SPELL
binders and leaders 1t was simple
thing. He had only to strike. The
whole country would bow down and
the government would surrender. Just
now the length of the coal strike and
the manner in which 1t is settled will
be of as much educational value to
the individual miner as to labor as
q whole.
If the government wins. and the coal
strike Is ended shortly. and the miners
leaders find themselves compelled to
arbitrate the moot questions involved,
the power Of the strike will appeal
less to the individual miner as con-
trasted with the power of peaceful
with public opinion behind
them in their demand for the correc-
ton of such grievances as are just.
The government insists that the
rank and file of the miners were mis-
led by ambitious leaders who did not
dare to submit the question to a refer
endum. 1t would not be surprising "
the government during it's fight in the
courts made a point Of the manner in
which a few men have attempted to
use the strike weapon to further their
own personal interests and ambitions
to the detriment Of the public.
Copyright. 1917
TREATY VOTE IN BRAZIL