Omaha daily bee., 1919-11-10
MINERS HEAD
DENIES MEN TO
CALL OFF STRIKE
John L. Lewis Says Statements
to Contrary Premature and
Unauthorized.

indianapolis. Ind, Nov. o-John
L. Lewis. acting president of the
United Mine Workers of America,
tonight denied that he had agreed to
comply with the order of federal
court here yesterday to call off the
strike of bituminous coal miners of
the eountry before s p. m. next
Tuesday evening. I
Statements to the effect that I
shall orNshall not comply with the
mandatory proceedings of the in
junction writ are unauthorized and
premature" he declared.
Mr.. Lewis declaration was made
in view of a reported statement Of
counsel for the miners yesterday that
MIR. Lewis and Secretary-Treasurer
WILLIAM Green purposed TO obey the
courts order, but that they could moi
speak for other officials. While Mr.
Lewis would not comment further on
the subject, others indicated that the
statement of the miners attorney
was intended to show a willingness
of the two officials to call meeting
of the international officials, district
presidents, executive board and
members of the miners scale COM
nittee for tomorrow, to consider
the court order. NJ
None Makes Statement.
The meeting of union officials has
been set for 10 o'clock tomorrow
morning Several of the district Of
fcials, including Frank harrington,
president of the Illinois district ar
rived today or tonight, but node OF
them would make any statement.
The outcome of tomorrow's con-
ference is problematical. Several
district presidents gave out state
ments on the situation last night be-
fore leaving their homes for Indian
apolis. These statements showed a
wide divergence of opinion as to
what course should be adopted.
Alexander Howat. president of
district No. IA, Pittsburg. Kan, de-
clared that his attitude was un-
changed and that regardless of in
junction, prisons and judges of the
United States" he was going to
fight.
Won't Fight Government.
C. S. Keeney. president of district
No. II, West Virginia, said that "if
ordered to do so" he would with
draw the strike order in his district.
as it was not his intention to fight
the government. William J. Trickett.
secretary-treasure of district No.
16. Maryland, expressed the opinion
that even if the strike order were
rescinded the men would not have
to return to work, and added: Il
don't think they would"
Many of the union men have con-
tended\ ever since the strike was
called Mat as the strike was or
dered by the full convention of the
miners in Cleveland, only another
convention could authorize calling
it off. Another phase of the situa-
ton in connection with the court
order presents the question of what
action. the government might take
if the miners as individuals refuse
to obey an order of officials re-
scinding the strike order. No opin-
ion could be secured in this con-
nection.
Won't Discuss Matter.
John L. Lewis, acting president
of the United Mine Workers, re-
fused to discuss the action of the
American Federation of Labor ex-
ccutive council tonight. When told
of the declaration of the labor lead
crs he remarked:
very Interestingly"
Pressed for the probable effect
of the action on tomorrow's meet
ing of the miners, Mr.. Lewis said:
Il have no other comment to
make"
William Green, secretary-treas-
urer of the mine workers, said:
Il do not feel that under all the
| should express an
opinion on the fcderation's action
at this time"