The sun., 1919-10-29

forced to sit idly by 1t is virtually GER
tain that heir followers would walk out
The coal towns are affected by war
prosperity and relaxation from war
strain, as are all other communities. In
other words. the workers have money.
they are tired of work and they would
Just as lief lay Off for while.
Opinions differed tonight as to
whether the courts would grant injunc-
tons against individual mems ceasing
work in response to a strike call.
Merchants Uphold Operators.
This situation was exemplifed at a
luncheon of the Rotary Club here to-day,
attended by members from all this part
of the State. most of them merchants
only indirectly connected with the coal
industry. The general trend of the con-
versation was that for once the operators
were right in their stand.
We've never thought that way be-
fore" said the proprietor of big store
in coal town. But we think you're
right this time"
This opinion Is undoubtedly Influenced
by the visible prosperity of the miners.
my mine plant" said boss from the
biggest mine of the American Coal Min.
ing Company, employing about 1000
| men, looks like a big public garage.
They all come to their work in fivvers
and better. I don't grudge that TO them.
but think they are wrong in this strike.
They're wrong In the way they go about
| 1t. Short hours, not low pay, are at
present the cause of any discomfort there
may be among the miners. 1t seems I'M
true that the average yearly earnings are
as low as some OF the leaders say they
have been.
"One payroll which was made avail
| able for inspection here to-day showed
that notwithstanding that the men
worked only twenty-six days in July
| their earnings averaged better than s270
for the month. Year:y averages for
the same mine indicated earnings of
| between $500 and $500"
Despite the large percentage Of for
eigners and negroes In the mines rad
icalism and 1. w. w ism seem not to
have found a foothold here. Persons
around United Mine Workers headquar-
ters consider themselves lucky that they
have no William z. Foster and his rad
| ical theories to complicate the situation
here.
Both miners and operators frankly ad-
! NIT that 1t is a straight out struggle 10
see which side gets more of the almighty
dollar. and that is about all there is to
| 1t. II the public enters into the con-
siderations of either It is merely on the
question as to whether public opinion
will help one side or the other win.
Union officials have no doubt of the
| loyalty of their men. They believe they
will strike and that they will stick.
They'll live on blackberries IL they
have to. as l know these boys" said
Ellis Rearles, editor of the miners
paper.
Lewis Issues Uitimatum.
THE unanimity of the miners and
their support OF the attitude OF the COM
mittee and the convention will be amply
demonstrated on Saturday morning.
said Mr.. Lewis. These people might
lust as we'll negotiate with US now
They'll have to talk to us when The
| strike starts. 1t will never be settled
except through the United Mine Work
ers. That's the only organization tina
can settle it,"
Mr. Lewis was also quite sure that Il
would make little difference whether tn,
Government took over the mines HI
says that his men want settlement o
their troubles and they'll demand 1t o
the Government or the private owners
whoever is in possession Of the properties
on which they work