Omaha daily bee., 1919-11-10

lIc support Ol OTkdHlZcu ldUOI@
mt for it from the general
ppublic.
The council began its sessions at 3
O'Clock after its members had been
hastily summoned together, and
the statement which formulated its
action was carefully revised and re-
written by Samuel Gompers and
Frank Morrison, president and Sec
retary. respectively, of the federa-
ton.
History of Negotiations.
The council in its statement pres
sented at length the history Of the
negotiations which fed up to and
precipitated the coal strike, declaring
almost i'll the first sentence that the
Officers of the United Mine work
ers did everything in their power to
avert this great industrial struggle.
1t reserved its bitterest words for
later comment on governmental
action.
There were 200 delegates. repre-
senting 100000 miners, seated insthe
convention which called the strike,
the statement said, after briefly
sketching in complaints of working
conditions in the industry which ii
IS asserted the miners seek to rem.
i,edy by striking. The instructions Of
the convention we're taken through
the usual committees into conferences
with the operatots, and then the
statement puts it, "our government
interjected itself and applied for an
injunction"
The statement characterized the
action as invasion of the rights oil
miners" intended to starve the
miners into submission by cutting
off their strike benefits, and de-
nanded the withdrawal of the in
junction secured Saturday at Indian-
apolis ito restore confidence in the
institutions of our country and re-
spect to courts"
Say Strike Justified.
"By all the facts in the case the
miners strike is justified" it con-
cludes. 1--WE indorse it. We are
convinced of the justice of the min-
ers' Cause. We pledge to the miners
the full support of the American
Federation of Labor and appeal to
the workers and citizenship of our
country to give like endorsement
and aid to the men engaged in this
momentous struggle"
The statement of the executive
council, which members refused to-
interpret or discuss in any manner
and which is addressed to "Our Fell
low Citizens and to Our Fellow
Workers." 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 contro-
versy. Of all the great industries
in our country. there is none so dam.
gerous to human life as the coal in
dustry. The men who go down un-.
der the ground to dig coal so that
the domestic and industrial needs Of
the nation may be supplied. are en-
gagged in work more hazardous than
any other employment.
No Due Consideration.
Due consideration has never been
given to the danger surrounding the
coal miners. There is no other class
OF employment where each individ-
ual worker is so isolated and in
whose districts there is such lack
Of opportunity for social inter-
course and enjoyment The condi-
ton, of the miner and his family is
such that he is practically deprived,
rot only of sunshine and fresh air,
but to certain extent he is deprived
of the association and companions
ship of all other human beings OUT
side of his own particular class who
are themselves engaged in the dan
gerous and unhealthy occupation Of
coal mining. The miners suffer
more than any other workers from
periods Of compulsory unemploy.
ment. Authentic statistics show that
the miners have less than 200 days
Of employment during each year.
The wages of the miners conse.
quently. having to spread over the
eiitire year, are greatly reduced as
result of the unemployment ex- I
isting in that industry.
The high cost of living has pre-
sented itself in perhaps a more se-s
rious form in isolated mining camps
than IL large industrial centers.
there is usually not the same OPP
pH sunity tor the miners in the min-
ing camps to make their purchases
to such advantage as is presented IN
other localities. Their isolation
prevents this.
Positive Declaration.
The United Mine Workers. ii
their convention. held during the
month of September in the city Of
Cleveland, adopted positive dec
laration demanding improved eondi-
tons OF employment for the min.