Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-11-04
Railroads at Bottom
of Strike, Says Chief

Continued from Page Ono
instant question of hours and pay. 1t
is an economic question, which, when
once defined and adjusted, will Obviate
much, if not all, of the recurrent trou-
bles that periodically beset the coal IN
dustry. And it will be n blessing to
the mining operators AS much as to
their men.
An Economic Equation
II is this: Not until the railroads
effect a degree Of co operation whereby
they will deliver "open- top equipment,
rs coal cars are called, to mining opera
tions with regularity, and in sufficient
number to guarantee the necessary and
legitimate demands of all operating COM
panies will there be any permanent
settlement of coal industry compiled
tions. 1t involves complete reor-
ganization of existing conditions.
On the part of the railroads or carry
ing companies it involves the elimina-
ton of favoritism and the adoption of
the Square DEAL to all concerns alike,
big and little. This will mean to oper-
ators the prompt and satisfactory full
tillment of their contracts, and to the
miners regular instead of intermittent,
or as it is known ''seasonable,' en-
ployment.
Jnquestionably there must be CO.
operation with the railroads on the part
of the coal companies-a mutual re-
arrangement of existing conditions.
1t will be to the miner also a guar
antee of the good faith. both of rail
and coal companies. In this connection
today Mr.. Murray said tersely:
'"The periods of idleness IN u miners
life come from broken time. This coun-
try owes it to our people to give them
twelve months Of honest to-God work,
the same as is accorded to workers in
other countries
Miners Side of the Story
/ Taking up the question of broken
contract on the part of the miners,
President Murray said, in their defense {:
'In August, 1917, when Doctor Gar
field summoned us to Washington, we
made an agreement, to last during the
war. for an advance of 90 per cent Ill
wages, to meet the high cost of living.
We speeded up production to the great
est point it had ever been known, not
withstanding there were $4,000 of our
men in the service. In August, 1918,
we asked, in view of the continued ad-
vance in the cost of living, an additional
increase. Some of our conservative
members opposed it, but anyhow it was
not granted, and the subject dropped.
"Then came the armistice, and we
regarded it as the end of the war and
also of our wartime contract. But
again we were told to wait; that a
state of war still existed. And we
waited month after month. We are
still informed that the war is not al
an end. Ninety nine per cent Of our
people know that the war is over; that
il ended on November II. 1918, with
the armistice. Our armies have been
demobilized German merchant ships
are entering our ports; one came in
last week, Even President Wilson has
publicly acknowledged it by his act in
yctoing the prohibition enforcement
bill. Yet they still ask us to wait.
"And the high cost of living is mount
ing higher and higher. 1t strikes the
miner harder than any other worker.
He must buy all his tools, his powder
and explosives. Tools have advanced
$50 per cent; blasting powder 200 per
cent. Mine clothing and shoes cost
more. The dampness, the water and
the rough usage wear out pair of
mine shoes in month A few years
ago they were So pair; now at the
company stores they are IS.
''There is great big vicious cycle
that has been moving on, while the
miners have been standing still. A
cycle of advancing cost of living; every
agency, big or little; every organized
industry and institution and Individual
concerns as well have met this except
in ours.
Radicalism Is Denied
"There is a universal feeling in the
country, Mr.. Murray, that radical in =
fluences are at work inside your or
ganization that have agitated this
strike / said That it is the spirit
of the ], W. W., the syndicalist, the
Bolsheviki."
II know it," he replied instantly
"But the country is wrong. We are
opposed to such a spirit. We have de
clared against it, The constitution OF
our organization expressly denounces
it."
: Producing small paper bound copy
of the mine workers constitution, he
read:
ANY member accepting membership
in the Industrial Workers of the World
the working class union, or any Other
dual labor organization not affiliated
with the American Federation of Labor
shall be expelled from membership IL
the United Mine Workers of America
and no member of any such organization
shall be Dermitted TO hold memhershir