The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1919-09-09
|E|'Ry CHEF
'lybRs DEMAND
FOR new SCALE
Lewis Strongly Condemns
+. Methods of |. W. W.
(Bv The Associated Prcss.)


CLEVELAND, Sept. 9.-Aoting
President John J.. Lewis, in his report
today to the convention OF the United
Mine Workers Of America, discussed
the greatly increased cost Of living and
4 the inprobabiliiy Of any sweeping re-
duction through 'belated" federal
action as a preface TO his recommenda-
tion for a cancellation of the Wash
ington wage agreement in the bitumin
ous field not later than November |,
and the negotiation Of a new wage
scale, 10 be enforced, in case OF
failure TO reach a satisfactory settle
n'ent by then. by general miners
strike throughout the entire juris-
diction OF the United Mine Workers
OF America. The basis OF the pro-
posed agreement should be that out
lined by the rational policy meeting
held at Indianapolis in March. call
ing for the six hour day and five day
week and "substantial' wage increases.
|. W. W. Condemned.
I'm other parts Of his report he dis
cussed difficulties with the United
States railroad administration, result
ing from the efforts of Directors Cen
gral McAdoo and Hines TO secure coal
, Tor railroad use below the rate fixed
BY the United States fuel administra-
lion; expressed fear that the success
OF such efforts would tend TO force
, down miners wages; strongly con-
demned policies and principles Of the
]. w. w., and similar organizations
and declared against any compromises
with elements seeking 10 spread such
doctrines in the United Mine Workers
organization.
/. He reported on damage actions
F. brought against the United Mine
. Workers organization which are in
I spring efforts to secure from congress
/ an amendment to the Clayton anti
. trust act TO prevent the possibility
OF such suits against labor unions
He further recommended an effort
: 10 secure tariff legislation to cope
Z. with the problem OF Mexican fuel oil.
, which is entering into serious COM
. petition with American coal and on
! account of its cneapness and the ease
+ with which il may be delivered at
scaboard, Great Lakes and Missis-
sippi river points contains 4 threat 10
prosperity of those engaged in the
coal industry. An import duty of at
least a dollar barrel was desired
20 meet this competition,
Much unemployment.
Opening with reference to the
war accomplishments OF the miners,
who had patriotically met every de
mand for increased production for
war industries and furnished $4,000
men to the American armies, Presi-
dent Lewis passed TO the war time
negotiations with the United States
NIL administration and the efforts
10 secure modification OF the Wash
ington wage award, which had
quickly proved inadequate to meet
actual increases in the cost OF living
These efforts had been successful in
the anthracite field. where increases
OF from Is TO 40 percent had been
granted but all efforts TO secure cor
responding amelmations from the bi-
luminous scale had failed. Produc-
tion in 1919 had fallen off markedly,
he said, the output during the first
seven months having been 100000
tons less than in the same months OF
1918. This reduction was accom-
panied by extensive unemployment
for miners
The astonishing increase" in the
cost OF the necessities OF life, felt by
the miners with particular severity
owing TO their life in isolated com
munities far from centers OF distribu-
tim neeessi,ated immediate action to
enable mine workers TO meet it,
Recommends New Scale.
The committee on policy already in
March had drawn up series OF rec
concentrations which he enumerated
In no way responsible for the failure
of the senate TO ratify the treaty OF
peace and thus officially terminate
the Washington wage agreement the
United Mine Worker, should no
longer be considered bound by that
agreement. He therefore recon-
mended that the convention terminate
the Washington agreement not later
than November ].
Concerning naturalization of coal
mines. recommended by the same com-
Z rliitee oil policy, Mr.. Lewis said that
4 the International official, had been
z Unable to have the desired draft of
" proposed legislation prepared in
me- for the convention lie there
lore placed the entire matter before
~ The deIeUates fnx H.. -.-.I.-..s...y