The Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 191?-19??, 1919-11-11
A. +. 0. |.
SAYS STRIKE
JUSTIFIED
PLEDGES SUPPORT OF UNIONS
TO ALL MEN WHO QUIT
THE MINES
MANY UNION LEADERS DIFFER
President of Mine Workers Denies
He Said He Would Obey
Judges Command.

washing bOlly NON. lOs--4OluluS
that the action of the government in
injunction proceedings against strik-
ing bituminous coal miners to be so
"autocratic as to stagger the human
mind" the executive council of the
American Federation Of Labor de-
clared last night in a statement is
sued after a four-hour meeting that
the miners walk-out was JUSTIFIED,
promised for the strike the entire
support of organized labor, and ask
ed aid and endorsement for it from
the general public.
The Lever act, under which the
Government acted in the court pro-
ceedings, never was enacted to ap-
ply to workers, the council asserted,
and its use against the miners was
classed as can injustice not only to
workers, but to liberty loving Amer
leans" The action was taken with
out the participation of William
Green, general secretary of the mine
workers, who is a member, but all
the remaining principal officers of
the American Federation of Labor
were present.
What Union Leaders Say.
Indianapolis, Ind, Nov. 10.-John
L. Lewis, acting President of the
United Mine Workers of America,
last night denied that he agreed to
comply with the order of the Feder-
al Court here yesterday to call off
the strike of bitimous coal miners of
the country before 6 p. m. next Tues
day evening.
Statements to the effect that 1
shall or. shall not comply with the
proceeding of the injunc-
ton were unauthorized and prema-
ture," he declared.
Mr.. Lewis declaration was made
in view of a reported statement of
counsel for the miners yesterday that
Mr.. Lewis and Secretary treasurer
William Green purpose to obey the
courts order, but that they could not
speak for other officials.
While Mr.. Lewis would not COM
ment further on the subject, others
indicated that the statement of the
miners attorney was intended to
show willingness of the two officials
to call a meeting of the information
al officials, district presidents, execu-
tive board and members of the min
the court order.
The meeting of union officials has
been set for 10 o'clock this morning.
Several of the district officials, in
ers' scale committee for tomorrow in
,luding Frank Harrington, president |
of the Illinois district, arrived today,
out none of them would make any
The outcome of todays conference
s problematic. Several district pres
dents gave out last night statements
On the situation showing wide div
ergence of opinion as to what course
should be adopted.
Howat Would Defy Order.
Alexander Howat, president of dis
rict No. IA, Pittsburg, Kan, declar-
I'd that his attitude was unchanged
md that regardless of injunction,
prisons and judges ofthe United
States" he was going to fight. S. G.
:. Keeney, president of district No.
n, West Virginia, said that eff or
Tered to do so" he would Withdraw
he strike order in his district, as it
vas not his intention to fight the
government.
William J. Ticket, secretary-treas
lrer of district No. 16, Maryland,
the opinion that even if
he strike order were rescinded the
men would not have to return to
'eturn to work and added: 81 don't
hink they would"
Many union men have contended
wen since the strike was called that
S the strike was ordered by the full
of miners in Cleveland,
My another convention would au-
horize calling it off Another phase
f the situation in that connection
resents the question of what action
he government might take if the
miners as individuals refuse to obey
n order of officers resembling the
trike order.
Government officials are taking no