Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-11-05
Draft Protected
Coal Miners While
Other Men Fought

| workers In two industries who during
the war we're protected by the govern
ment from military service and given
the best pay they ever received while
1000 900 OF the best manhood Of the
country were In the army at $50
month are not going TO be allowed by
congress to hold UP how the +S.000,-
600 men who were ready when Uncle
Sam made a list OF him potential fight
ing men.
| Leaders In congress are growing
more indignant daily At the attitude
OF the coal miners and the railroad
| employees in the four big brotherhoods
They have looked up the official re-
| provost marshal general, and they
have found that the men who are
making a fight now for higher wages
are those who got the best wages dur
ing the war and did their fighting at
home.
House Leader Mondell expressed his
opinion when he put into the Con-
gressional Record an emphatic in
dorsement Of President Wilson's
stand with respect to the coal strike.
Champ Clark. the minority leader,
former Floor Leader Kitchin and other
recognized leaders on both sides Of the
house have expressed their views with
equal force.
| Make Thier Position Clear.
| Both branches Of congress have
served warning on the coal strikers
that the constitution and the laws are
to be upheld and the rights of the
people maintained. by passing a con-
current resolution pledglng to the ex-
ecutlve the strongest support in what
ever the president may deem necessary
in handling the present industrial sit
uation.
| Former speaker Cannon Is studying
the war record of the miners and the
railroad brotherhood men and will
have forceful speech ready. Repre-
sentative Martin B. Madden of Illinois
one OF the most active members of the
republican legislative steering COM
mittee who represents the hub of. the
railroad world an the center ofindus-
trial activity in this country for coal
distribution, IS making careful sum-
mary Of those who didn't fight and
who did get good pay all during the
war as showing the real force OF
patriotic pleas now for increased pay
Representative Joe Walsh of Mas
sachusetts. one of the republican legis-
lative watchdogs Is also preparing to
give the house a Showdown" on
miners and railroad workers.
One thing is certain-1ust as con-
gress went to any extreme to support
the presidents program during tho
war-congress will give the executive
all the armed forces. munitions. money
and moral support needed to deal
adequately and IN thoroughly
American way with those who would
cause Industrial disturbances now
recover from the war and to feed and
clothe the world.
| Obligations TO Allies Emphasized.
The Industrial obligations Of the
United States, especially to the allied
nations. was emphasized during the
fve-nation Industrial conference at
Atlantic City under the auspices OF
the chamber Of commerce Of the
United states.
The study Of Gen. Crowder's report
made by leaders In congress shows
that there were 705,012 coal mine
operatives of all ages and that there
We're $4,000 engineers. flremen. brake
men and conductors-a total Of 1000.
900 in these two industries who are
| now trying to ''hold up" the American
people thru strike threats-as against
42.206,912 men in all occupations. The
| %.
that the will Of 100000 should stand
against the Industrial wage earning
interests Of 43.000,0o0.
In this connection they point out
that in the steel mills 1t has been
shown that the employees were mostly
foreigners. They got exemption from,
military service because they were
aliens and many Of them withdrew
their first papers in order to make
sure they would not be called to bear
arme. They were given wartime ex-
cessive wages, and this has not gone
into circulation In this country. but
much Of It is being sent TO home
countries. The situation with regard
| to the coal miners Is practically the
same-they are mostly foreigners and
send the bulk Of their pay out Of the
| country.
Shows How They Were Protected.
The way in which the coal miners
and railroad employees were protected
during the war Is emphasized in Gen
Crowder's report. He says:
"A number Of Industries and govern
mental agencies, s1ch as the railroad
administration, the food administra-
ton, and especially the fuel admins
tration ana tho coal producers, looked
to the draft q the source Of the dc