The Washington herald., 1919-11-10
A. F. OF l. SUPPORTS
STRIKE OF MINERS

STRIKE OF MINERS
ooN1NUED FROM PAGE ONE.
zens and to our fellow workers, the
following statement:
Unions DID Their Part.
The Executive Council is of the opin-
ion that the officers of the United
Mine Workers Of America did every
thing In their power to avert this
great industrial controversy OF all
the gerat Industries In our country,
there is none 30 dangerous To human
NE as the coal industry The men
who go down under the ground to dig
coal. 30 that the domestic and indus
trial needs OF the nation may be sup
piied, are engaged in work more haz-
ardous than any other employment.
Due consideration has never been CIV
en- to the danger surrounding the coal
miners. There is no other class of
employment where each individual
worker is so isolated and in whose
districts there is such a lack of op-
portunity for social intercourse and
enjoyment.
The condition of the miner and
his family Is such that he Is prac-
ficaily deprived not only of sun
shine and fresh air but to a certain
extent he is deprived of the asso-
citation and companionship of all
other human beings outside Of his
own particular class who are them
selves engaged in the dangerous
and unhealthy occupation of. coal
mining. The miners suffer more
than any other workers from Pc
riods of compulsory unemployment.
Authentic statistics show that the
miners have less than 200 days of
employment during, each, year. The
wages OF the miners consequently.
having to spread over the entire
year, are greatly reduced as a re-
suit Of the unemployment exist
ing in that industry The high cost
OF living has presented itself in
, perhaps more serious form in iso-
lated mining camps than in large
industrial centers. There Is usually
not the same opportunity for the
miners in the mining camps to make
their purchases to such advantage
as is presented in other localities.
Their isolation prevents this.
Want Better Conditions.
The United Mine Workers, in their
convention. held during the month OF
September in the city of Cleveland.
adopted a positive declaration de-
manding improved conditions OF EN-.
ployment for the miners. They fur
ther instructed the officers to proceed
to obtain by negotiations with the
operators. the working coaditions
that the convention unanimously
adopted.
There were almost 200 delegates
seated in the convention. representing
10000 organized miners. They further
positively and explicitly instructed
| their officers that unless an agree
ment was reached on or before the
first day of November. 1919 that the
resolution of the convention calling
for a strike on November l. 1913.
should be communicated to the men,
! bership. There was no alternative
except for the officers. who are
elected by the membership. to carry
out the direct Instructions of the
| membership or resign from their
positions as officers, in which event
chaos and confusion would result.
Employers Refused Offer.
! The officers OF the mine workers
with their scale committee. entered
! into conferences and discussions
with the operators in the city of
| Buffalo. They stated at the confer
ence that they had full power TO
negotiate an agreement: in other
words. that they had the power TO
give and take in the conference.
The employers refused to make any
offer whateyef.- Later on. the miners
answered the call of the Secretary
| OF Labor and further endeavored to
reach an agreement. but failed. The
officers then proceeded to carry out
the instructions of their membership
and communicated the results of the
failure of negotiations. and by or
der OF the convention the strike au-
Dramatically took effect November l.
1919
The machinery which has existed
! for years and which has been sue
cessful/ in bringing about agree
ments, between the miners and the
! operators. still exists and they as
representatives of the miners were
and are ready and willing to enter
| .nto negotiations without reserva-
tion to reach an agreement.
! At this time our government in
| leTyeCIcu llSelI dhu dppiltu LOT al
Injunction.
A temporary restraining order
was granted by a Federal judge
which restrains the officials of the
miners from in any way advising
| their membership on the situation
! or contributing any of the moneys
of the mine workers to the assist,
ance of the men on strike, also re-
straining them from discussing
writing or entering into any kind OF
a conversation with their member
ship on the strike situation.
Rights GInyaded.,
i The government then proceeded t
further invade the rights of the
miners. not only by restraining tn,
miners. their officers and member!
I from furthering the purposes fol
/ which the men contended. but wen
to further lengths of demanding
from the court an order command
ing the officers of the miners unior
o\recall and withdraw the strik,
notification and the court compla.
Gently complied and issued the or.
der.
Never in the history of our coun'
h q ~ 10 49, a.,