The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-11-10
PERSONAL
POLITICS BEHIND
BIG C0ALSTR|KE
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Continued From First Page)
claiming that if elected to office they
Whoever IS most extreme in his prom
ises and carries with his argument a
persuasive touch so that the miner
may become to believe he can do what
ne pledges is likely to unseat the man
already in office.
How It Happened.
It so happens that. IN the United Mine
Workers of Apefica John p. White
was president when America entered
the war. He was called to assist Fuel
Administrator Garfield in Washington
and resigned. Frank ID. Hayes, then
yice-president, automatically succeeded
White. John r. Lewis then secretary,
was selected to become X e-president,
The same Lewis is at present the head
or the coal strike, and 1t was largely
because of his anxiety to retain his
position that the strike wal called.
Mr., Hayes took sick and the duties
OF the presidency fell upon Mr.. Lewis,
as vice president, The ambitious indi-
vidual who started the political ball
rolling was Frank Harrington, president
Of the Illinois Miners association. He
began issuing circulars not especially
directed at Mr.. Hayes or his associate,
Mn LEWIS, but fpmenting a demand for
wage mcreaSe and shorter hours.
Presently, by the methods of ryan
ization and canvass SO familiar-to party
politicians, petitions began to flow into
the miners, national headquarters from
various parts Of the country. Mr.. Hayes
became alarmed. He called a conven-
ton. In that convention, he thought
the only expedient thing to do was to
called the radicals, He presented a pro-
gram for six hour day, five-day week
and naturalization of the coal mines,
that became the decision of the con :
yehtion. Mr.. Lewis Is credited with
writing the report, 1t was the platform
Of Hayes and Lewis.
The radicals pressed hard, feeling
that Lewis, who in July became presi-
dent owing to the incapacity Of Hayes,
would not be able to make good OF his
promises. Harrington, in the meantime
who was behind the agitation, an
nonnced himself as a candidate for the
presidency of the miners union. Politi-
cal s~harpshooting began.
MIR. Lewis made a report to the Sep
TENDER convention in which he outgen-
eraled his opponents by connecting UP
their various demands and presenting
them in more attractive form. His re-
port was adopted.
Increased All Costs.
The coal miners have the right Of col
lective bargaining. But impossible de-
mands were presented by the leaders
involving a tremendous increase not
only in the cost of production but in
the eventual cost to the consumer of
his coal, The average miner was anx-
ious to get higher pay n shorter
hours IL he could. According to the
spellbinders and leaders 1t was a sim
pie thing. He had only to strike. The
whole country would bow down and the
government would surrender.
Just now the length Of the coal strike
and the manner in which 1t is settled
will be Of much educational value to the
individual miner as to labor as a whole.
If the government wins, and the coal
strike is ended shortly! and the miners
find themselves compelled to
arbitrate the moot questions involved,
the power of the strike will appeal less
to the Individual miner as contrasted
with the power Of peaceful negotiation
With public opinion behind them in their
demand for the correction OF such
grievances as are just.
The government insists that the rank
and fFe OF the miners were misled by
ambitious leaders who did not dare to
the question of a referendum.
1t would not be surprising II the govern
ment during its fight In the courts
made a point of the manner IN which a
few men have attempted to use the
strike weapon to further their own per-
sonal interests n ambitions to The
letrlment of the public.
Copyright, 1919, by David Lawrence.)