Evening journal., 1919-09-10
MINERS ARE TOLD
WAGES MUST RISE
National Conv vention Dele
gates Hear Leader
Urge Strike
NEW AGREEMENT is
WANTED BY MEN

CLEVELAND. sept iO-Wiih some
1000 debates from the collieries Of the
United states and Canada gathered in
the armory Of the Cleveland Grays. the
International convention Of the United
Mine Workers Of America. the twenty.
nfth consecutive gathering Of that or
ganlzation, was called TO order at Il
o'clock yesterday.
Warren s. Stone. grand chief OF the
Brotherhood OF Locomotive Engineers.
Timothy J. Shea, acting president OF
the brotherhood OF Locomotive Fire
men and Enginemen. and ". G Lee
president of the Brotherhood Of Rail-
way Trainmen. were among those who
extended welcome 10 she convention
which is expected to continue from
two 10 three weeks.
Acting President John T. Lewis. Of
the United Mine Workers Of America
occupied the chair Of the convention in
place OF President Frank ]. Hayes. who
was unable 10 attend because Of IN
ness
Mr. Shea brought in the question Of
the naturalization Of railroads. evok-
ing rounds OF applause. He declared
that In some form or other the Plumb
plan was ultimately bound TO be ac-
cepted
He denied charges that railway en-
piOyes had received disprOportiOnately
high wage increases TO the d.sadvan-
tage OF other classes Of labor and
criticized President Wilson's demand
for pOsiponement Of wage increases to
await the issue Of attempts 20 reduce
high costs OF living. suggesting as the
better alternative immediate Increases
subject TO later modification in case Of
decided reduction in prices Of necessar-
les OF life
Tho miners broke into hearty cheers
at Mr. Shea's denunciation Of the pro
possl In Congress TO Introduce com
pulsory arbitration for railwsymen a.
an attempt to hogtie American labor
which could never succeed
Mr.. Stone suggested joint POLITICAL
action as the best means for labor to
enforce - demands and secure i'm
proved conditions Of labor Strikes. he
said. were all very well in this way.
but the best place 10 strike was al the
ballot-box Time had come 10 vote for
the man rather than for the party and
10 turn down the legislator who failed
10 meet expectations All labor. he de
clared. was vitally interested in the
deliberations Of the convention be
cause a coal strike. II It came. would
mean the suspension OF all forms Of
employment as soon as stocks Of fuel
were exhausted
Mr.. Lee outlined as the aim OF the
railroad brotherh0ods conditions un-
der which labor could earn enough IN
eight hours. twenty-six days in the
month. to permit % % live in comfort
,weniy-four hours a day during the
entire month.
The report OF Secretary-Treasurer
William Green showed the average
membership IN 1919 constituted the
high-water record in the history of the
organization. an average Of 1896
during the FIRST nine months The
financial condition Of the organization
was stronger than ever before, the in
ternational union being out OF debt
and carrying in its treasury more than
81 .72S.OO0.
such strong treasury, said Mr..
Green. was bound TO have a favorable
moral effect during wage scale nego-
tiations such as were now impending. |
Acting President John l.. Lewis in |
his report discussed the greatly in .
creased cost Of living and the i'm !
Of any sweeping reduction /
through "belated" federal action. He ,
cancellation OF the /
wage agreement in the |
neid not later than No /
yember I and the negotiation Of a new I
wage scale 10 be enforced I'm case of /
failure 10 reach a satisfactory settle 1
ment by that time by a general miners !
strike throughout the entire iurisdic-
ton OF the United Mine Workers Of
America.
The basis OF the proposed agree
ment should be. he said that outlined
by the national policy meeting, held
az indianapolis I'm March. calling for
The eix-hour day and lve-day week
and substantial" wage increases.
In other parts Of his report he dis
russed difficulties with the United
sIsfes railroad administration. result
nz from the efforts Of Directors Cen
aral McAdoo and Hines to secure coal
]
by the United states fuel administrs
ion, expressed fear that the success
N such efforts would tend 10 force
iown miners wages; strongly con-
iemned policies and principles Of the
l. W w and similar organizations and
opposed compromise with elements
seeking 10 spread such doctrines in the
United Mine Workers organization.
Concerning naturalization. Of coal
mines. recommended by the same COM
nittee on policy Mr. Lewis said that
he international officials had been un-
able 10 have the desired draft legisla-
ion prepared in time for the conven-
ion. He therefore placed the entire
natter before the delegates for their
consideration
School authorities in England are dis
urbed by the fact that costs Of re-
decorating school buildings will be
IL I