The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-11-01
Union Leaders Declare That
Strike Cannot Now Be
Avoided
CONFERENCE ENDED
WITHOUT CHANGE
In Statement Issued to Public
They Assert That Operators
Are Wholly Responsible

Indianapolis, Oct. 29.-That "a
strike Of bituminous coal miners can
not be avoided was the outstanding
conclusion of statement issued late
today by the conference of United
| Mine Workers officials. Blame for the
situation was laid al the feet Of the
to negotiate a wage agreement not
withstanding the fact the mine work
ers' representatives had urged and be-
seeched them to do so.''
The miners the statement claims,
will be exercising constitutional rights
in striking. The statement also set
forth that the union officials gave pro-
| found consideration to the statement
Of President Wilson as it appeared in
communication on that subject had
been received from the federal ad-
ministration.
The statement follows:
The conference of United Mine
Workers, composed Of members of
the International executive board, the
scale committee of the central COM
petitive district. and the district pres
idents, United Mine Workers of
America, gave most profound consid-
Grafton to the statement of the presi-
dent OF the United States which ap-
peared in the public press recently
relative to the impending strike Of
Dituminous miners set for November
1. No communication was received by
the international officers Of the Unit
ed Mine Workers of America from
either the president or any represca-
:2tive Of the federal administration.
ga canvass of the entire situation
shows that q strike OF bituminouS
miners can not be avoided. A regular
~ constituted convention of repreSen-
tatives of United Mine Workers held
at Cleveland, Ohio, on September 25,
ordered a strike Of bituminous miners
20 become effective November l in
the event wage scale was not nego-
tiated before that time. The highest
authority of the organization has
acted in this manner, and no repre-
sentatives OF the organization have
authority to set such action: aside. The
facts are that the same supreme au-
thority which ordered the pending
strike is the same as that which ap-
proved the contract which has now
expired.
1.-THE responsibility for the strike
rests with the coal operators. They
have refused to negotiate a wage
agreement Notwithstanding the fact
the mine workers representatives
nave urged and beseeched them to do
So The fundamental causes which
prompted the mine workers to take
this drastic action are deep seated.
For two years their wages have re-
mained stationary They appealed one
year ago to the federal fuel admin
.istrator. Dr. Garfield. and from him
to the president Of the United States
for an increase in wages sufficient to
meet the increased cost of the neces-
saries of life Their appeal was re-
jected and their request refused. Not
withstanding this. they continued min
ing coal until now their contract eX-
pires. when they are determined that
their grievances must be adjusted in
a reasonably satisfactory manner.
"The courts have held that the
working men have right to strike
and may quit work either sinsly or
collectively for the purpose of re-
dressing grievances and righting
wrongs The constitution and guar
of the free government give
men the right to work or quit work
or collectively.
''The mine workers therefore are
but exercising the right guaranteed by
the constitution and which. can not
be taken away by the representatives
of government when they quit work
or when they refuse to work until
their grievances are adjusted. The
mine workers representatives are
ready, willing and anxious to meet