Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-10-27
STATEMENT

ers and mile workers throughout the
United States. effective Nov. !. 1917
Pursuant p these instructions,
the officers of'the organization nave
issued a call to make the strike eHec-
tive Nov. I. This Is one Of the graV-
est steps ever proposed in this coun-
try, affecting the economic welfare
and the domestic comfort and heaitE
Of the people. 1t is proposed to aoro-
safe an agreement as to wages when
was made with the sanction or the
United States fuel administration
and which was to run during the con-
tinuance Of the war, but not oeyono
April /, 1920.
This strike is proposed at a time
when the government is making the
most earnest effort to reduce the cost
of living and has appealed with sue
cess to other classes Of workers to post
pone similar disputes until a reason
able opportunity has oeen afforded for
dealing with the cost of living. 1t is
recognized that the strike would practi-
oally shut off the country's supply OF It's
principal fuel at a time when interior
ence with that supply is calculated to
create a disastrous fuel famine. All in
terests would be affected alike by a
strike Of this character and its victims
would be not the rich only. but the
poor and the needy as well-those least
able to provide in advance a fuel sup
Ply for domestic use. 1t would involve
the shutting down Of countless indus
tries and the throwing out Of employ
IF Nf he yvNYEo
Of the country. 1t would involve stop.
ring the operation ot railroads, electric
light and gas plants, street railway
lines and other public utilities. and the
shipping to and from this country, thus
preventing our giving aid to the allied
countries, with supplies which they so
seriously need.
THE country is confronted with this
prospect at time when the war it
self Is still fact, when the world is
still in suspense as to negotiations foT
peace. when our troops are still being
supported .and when their means Of
transport is in urgent need Of fuel.
From whatever angle the subject
may be viewed, it is apparent tina:
such strike in such circumstances
would be the most far-reaching plan
ever PRESENTED in this country to Nmi.
the facilities of production and distribu-
ton of a necessity of life and thus in
directly to restrict the production AMI
distribution Of all the necessaries of life.
A strike under these circumstances is
not only unjustifabie, II is unlawful
The action proposed has appar-
emily been taken without any vote
upon the specific proposition by the
individual members of the United
Mine Workers of America through
out the United States. an almost I'M
precedented proceeding. cannot
believe that any right Of any Ameri-
can worker needs for its protection
the taking of this extraordinary step
and am convinced that when the
time and money are considered it
constitutes fundamental attack,
which is wrong both morally and
legally. upon the rights of society
and upon the welfare of our country.
feel convinced that individual
members of the United Mine Work
ers would not vote, upon full con-
sfderation, in favor Of such a strike
under these conditions.
when a movement reaches
point where it appears to involve
practically the entire productive
capacity of the country with respect
to one Of the most vital necessities
Of daily domestic and industrial life.
and when the movement is asserted
in the circumstances ! have stated
and at time and in a manner CAL
cuiated to involve the maximum of
dangers in the public welfare in this
critical hour of our country's life.
the public interest becomes the
paramount consideration.
In these circumstances / solemn
ly, request both the national and the
local officers and also the individual
members Of the United Mine Work.
ers of America to recall al lorders
looking to a strike on Nov. ! and to
take whatever steps may be neces-
sary to prevent any stoppage Of
work.
1T is time for plain thinking. These
matters with which we now deal touch
not only the welfare Of class. but VII
t"N! SiC "CitDCtuE, inc CUfutOrt
and the very life Of all Of the people.
feel 1t is my duty In the public inter.
est to declare that any attempt to carry
out the purpose of this strike and thus
paralyze the industry of the country,
with the consequent suffering and dis
tress of all Of our people. must be con-
sidered q grave moral and legal wrong
against the government and the people
CT the United States. I can do nothing
else than to say that the law will be
enforced. and the means will be found
TO protect the interests of the nation in
any emergency that may arise out OF
ttis unhappy business.
II express no opinion on the merits
of the controversy. have already sug.
gested a plan by which a settlement.
may be reached ana hold myself l.,
readiness at the request of either or
both sides to appoint at once a tribunal
TO inves igate all the facts with a view
to aiding in the earliest possible orderly
settlement Of the questions at issue be-
tween the coal operators and the coal
miners. to the end that the just rights
not only of those interests but also of
the general public. may be fully pro-
tected."
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