Norwich bulletin., 1919-11-10

states Mine workers Of America, to- | night denied that iie had agreed to comply with the order of the federal court here yesterday to call off the I strike of bituminous coal miners of tho country before D. m. next Tues 1 day evening. Statements to the effect that l | shall or shall not comply with the mandatory proceedings Ct the injunc- iiOr writ are unauthorized and prema- ture." he declared. MT. Lewis declaration was made in view of a reported statement of counsel for the miners yesterday that MT. Lewis and Secretary Treasurer William Green proposed to obey the ruurts order but that they could not speah f-- other officials. While Mir. 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 a meeting of the international officials district presi- dents executive board and members of tho miners scale committee for to- morrow. to consider the court order. The meeting Of union officials has been set for ten o'clock tomorrow morning. Several of the district off, cials arrived today. hut none of them would make any statement
 The outcome of tomorrows con- Terence k probiematical Several dis trict presidents gave out statements ln tho situation last night before leav- ing their homes for Iidianapolis These statements showed a wide d. Vergrncc of opinion Cs to what course should bc adopted.
 Alexander Howat. president of Dis tr.-t No. II. Pittsburgh. Kansas, de- g'a--n that his .- cd and that regardless of injunction. prisons and judges of the United states" he was going 10 fight. C. F. keeney. president of District 17, West Virginia, said that If ordered to do sO' he would withdraw the strike or dor in his district. as it was not his intention 10 light the government. William J. Trickett. secretary -treasur- CT Of District No. IS, Maryland. ex- pressed the opinion that even if the strike order were rescinded, the men would not have to return to work and added I don't think they would"
 Many Of the union men have con tended ever since the strike was call ed that as the strike was ordered bv the full convention of the miners in Clereiand. only a convention could au- thorize calling it off. Another phase of inc situation In connection with the
 
 what action the government might take 1T the miners as individuals re. lust to obey an order of officials re- garding the strike order. No opinion could be secured in this connection.
 Government officials are taking no action pending the expiration Of tn, time given the union chiefs to with draw the strike order. C. B. Ames assistant attorney general in charg CT the governments proceeding against the mine workers. has returne, Co Washington. John E. Creighton. bu reau Of investigation official, is still il Indianapolis and with local govern nant officials is charged with enforce ment of the courts injunction.
 The operators, the third party to tn lniners1 controversy, still maintain tn attitude adopted immediately after th strike was called-that is to reopen ne SotiatiOns as soon as the miners re sume work. This attituce was relterat ed by Thomas T. Brewster chair man ot the coal operators scale com mitiee. Mir Brewster said that he ex pccieC production of bituminous coz 70 be resumed shortly. as he ''assum ed' the court order would be obey ed
 Tho United Mine Workers. in the convention. held during the month , september in the city of Clevelan adopted 9 positie declaration demand ing improved conditions of employ meut for the miners. They furtht instructed the officers to proceed obtain by negotiations with the opel siors. the working conditions that u couventi~u unanimously adopted.
 There were almost 3.200 delegat seated in the convention, representa- seO.O01 organized miners. They flu tner positively and explicitly instruc Dd their officeds that unless an agre mcnt was reached on or before Il first day of November. 1919. that il resolution Of the convention calliI Tor a strike on November | 1s1 should be communicated to the men bcrship. There was no alternative e cept for the officers, who are elect by tho membership. 10 carry nut [ direct instructions of the meriN orsh Or resign from their positions as of rcrs, in which event chaos and conf sion would result
 The officers of the mine worko with their scale committee. entered i 10 conferences and discussions wi rho operators in the city of Buffa They stated at the conference tn they had full power to negotiate ngre ment, in other words. that th had the power 10 give and take in { conference. The employers refused make any offer whatever Later the miners answered the call of { secretary of labor and further ende vored to reach an agreement but ia cd The officers then proceeded
 carry out the instructions of tn membership and communicated the suits of the failure of negotiatio and by order oi the convention strike automatically took effect N ]. 1919.
 The machinery which has exis for years and which has been succe fui in bringing about agreements tween the miners and the operate still exists and they. as representati' of the miners were and arc ready a willing to enter into negotiatic without reservation 10 reach an agr mcnt.
 At this time our government terjected itself and applied for an junction.
 A temporary restraining order V granted by federal judge which
 strains the officials of the miners fir in any way advising their memb ship on the situation, or contribut any Of the monevs of the mine wo CTS to the assistance of the men strike. also restraining them from ( s1ssiug. writing or entering into ; kind or conversation with II ,inrmtcrship cp fho strike situation