New-York tribune., 1919-09-21
Union Demands
Naturalization
OF Coal Mines
Cleveland Convention Calls
on Government to Buy
Works at Actual Value:
Endorses the Plumb Plan

CLEVELAND, Sept. 20.-The conven-
tion of the United Mine Workers of
America to-day developed its plan for
the naturalization of coal mines,
which 'ncluoes purchase by the Fed
eral government Of all private mines
at their actual value as determined by
Federal appraisers and operation by
the Federal government with equal
miner representation upon the bodies
administering the industry and fixing
wages and conditions of employment
Naturalization Of coal mines in Can
ada also is proposed
The miners offer right Of way to
naturalization of railroads, provided
the railroad brotherhoods pledge them
selves to continue the fight with equal
vigor for the naturalization of mines.
Action was taken by unanimous ris-
ing vote.
The convention further adopted res
olutions demanding legislation to take
from the United States Supreme Court
the power to declare unconstitutional
laws passed by the elective Congress,
calling upon President Wilson to re-
move Postmaster General Burleson as
the "uncharitable, harsh and malig-
nant' opponent Of labor, and asking a
new trial or full pardon for Thomas
J. Mooney and Warren X. Billings. the
repeal of the espionage act and am
nesty for political prisoners. 1t re
fused, however, to call, as proposed, a
general strike and stoppage Of all pro-
duction until all political and indus
trial prisoners are released.
Would Prevent Waste
The resolution in regard to nation
alization of mines reads, in part:
"Our coal resources are the birth
right of the American people for all
time to come. and we hold that it is
the immediate duty Of the American
people to prevent the profiigate waste
that is taking place under private own
ership of these resources by having
the government take such steps as may
be necessary, providing for the ma
tionalization of the coal mining in
dustry Of the United States.
1--WE. the United Mine Workers of
America, in international convention
who have their lives and the welfare
of their dependents invested in the
coal mines of the country, do there
fore resolve:
That we demand the immediate ma
tionalization of the coal mining indus
try Of the United States. That we in
struct our international officers and
the international executive board to
have a bill prepared for submission to
Congress containing the following pro-
visions:
First: That the government
through act of Congress, acquire title
to all coal properties within the United
States now owned by private interests
ure representing the actual valuation
! n Haf orr,ir cd
investigation by accredited agents OF
the Federal government.
Demand Representation
Second: That the coal mining in
dustry be operated by the Federal gov
ernment and that the mine workers be
given equal representation upon such
councils or commissions as may be
/ delegated the authority. to administer
the affairs of the coal mining industry
or the authority to act upon the Ques-
tion of wages, hours of labor, condi-
tions Of employment, or the adjudica-
! ton of disputes and grienvances within
the industry.
We further instruct our representa-
tives to urge in the coming conference
with the representatives. of the railroad
workers unions a working alliance for
| the purpose of securing the adoption
of the Plumb plan for NATURALIZATION
of railroads, as the initial step in the
fight for the principle of nationaliza
tion with the understanding that such
alliance will continue to press the is
sue with undated vigor until the
principle of naturalization has beer
extended to embrace the coal mining
| industry of the nation.
"And be it further resolved that ou,
organization for the reasons set forth
above carry its fight for nationaliza
ton of mines into the Dominion OF
Canada and throw its influence wher
ever possible behind our members ir
Canada to the accomplishment Of that
end