The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1919-11-10
BY RALPH F. COUCH

By RALPH r. COUCH
WASHINGTON. ID. e., Nov.
io.-Fuil support Of the Amer.
lean Federation Of Labor will -
swung to the striking coal miners
seginning today. following the !.
Itderation's fndorsement ~ t1pe J.
Strike and tts denunciat5ou a
FEDERAL Judge A. Il. Andersonss
injunction against the strike.
me federation's support probably
WIN include funds. Whether such
action would come within the furf~.
uiction OF Judge Anderson renasn.
70 De seen and some labor leaders
mere are anxious to know what the
ieoerai courts viii do about IL.
inere was distinct atmosphere Of
hsnt around headquarters. Al the
same time labor leaders appeared "a
realize the seriousness OF the moment
moment which finds organised
labor practically arrayed against the
federal courts.
Ihe announcement OF the Ameri-
can Federation Of Labor that II win
give its fun support 10 the striking
miners, followed an all-day session
yesterday. during which all phases
~ the situation were discussed
Contending that TO call on tha
strike would be practical surrender
ana that government by injunc-
uon' would then be firmly estab-
hshed. many labor men refused TO
Follow what they considered "the
easiest way out" IL was learned FOL
lowing the conference.
The statement issued by the Amer.
ican Federation OF Labor said first
that the miners did everything mos
sibie to avoid the strike.
IL went on to describe conditions
under which the miners work. at
tempting to Justify the demands for
higher wages and shorter hours.
Would Negotiate
heciting basis for agreement The
statement declared the miners were
still willing to enter nerotia,icrs
without reservations" in an EFFORT
10 restore peace. The governments
action In getting the Injunction at
indianapolis. directing withdrawal OF
'he strike was termed IAN invasion
Oh the rights OF the miners"
PRESIDENT Wilson's speech made NJ
The Buffalo convention of the lahor
leoerauon was quoted. The presi.
dent declared that the United states
Is nghung' TO free labor and Improve
working conditions.
Ihe autocratic action of our rov-
eminent In these proceedings 4. M
such a nature that IL staggers tbe
human mind" was the declaration ~
The statement.
Labor Statement
The statement OF the labor COM
mittee follows:
The executive council is of the
opinion that the officers of the
United Mine Workers of America did
everything in their power to avert
This great industrial controversy. or
all the great industries in our coun.
try. there is none so dangerous to
human life as the coal industry. The
men who go down under the ground
10 dig coal, so that the domestic and
industrial needs OF the nation may
be supplied. are engaged in work
more hazardous than any other en-
ployment. Due consideration has
never been given to the danger sur
rounding the coal miners.
There is no other class of employ.
nent where each individual worker
IS so isolated and in whose districts
here is such lack OF opportunity
'or social intercourse and enjoy.
nent.
"rhe condition of the miner and
his family is such that he is prac.
ically deprived not only of sunshine
md fresh air. but to a certain extent
he Is deprived of association and
'ompanionshin OF all other human he
ngs outside of his own particular
lass, who are themselves engag
n the dangerous and Unhealthy
CONTINUED ON PAGE Twol