The Washington times., 1919-10-30
\ THE MINERS SIDE

lowing statement was issued by tn
chiefs of the United Mine Worker.
after their conference here yestrday
The conference of United Mine
Workers, composed of members of
the International executive board,
the scale committee of the central
competitive district and the dis
trict presidents, United Mine
workers of America. gave most
profound consideration to the
statement of the President of the
united states. which appeared in
the public press recently, relative
to the impending strike of bitum-
nous miners set for November ].
NO communication was received
: by the international officers of
the United Mine Workers Of
America from either the President
or any representative of the Fed
eral Government. &
A canvass of the entire situa-
uon shows that strike of
bituminous miners cannot be
avoided. A regularly constituted
convention of representatives, Of
united Mine Workers held Nat
cleveland. Ohio. on Septembr 25,
ordered ? strike of bituminous
mine workers to become effective
November 1 in the event a wage
scale was not negotiated before
that time.
Accuse the Operators Again.
The highest authority of the or
ganization has acted in this man.
ner, and no representatives Of the
organization have authority to set
such action aside. The facts are
tnat the same supreme authority
which ordered the pending strike
is the same as that which ap-
proved the contract which has
now expired.
The responsibility for the strike
rests with the coal operators.
They have refused to negotiate a
wage agreement Notwithstanding
the fact the mine workers rep
resentatiyes have urged and be-
seeched them to do SO. The fun
damental causes which prompted
the mine workers TO take this
drastic action are deep seated.
For two years their wages have
remained stationary. They D.
lpeaied one year ago to the Fed
erai fuel administrator, DIR. Gar
field, and from him to the Presi-
dent of the United States, for an
increase in wages sufficient to
meet the Increase in the cost of
the necessaries of life. Their ap-
peal was rejected and their re-
quest refused. Notwithstanding
this. they continued mining coal
until their contract expires, when
they are determined that their
grievances must be adjusted in a
reasonably satisfactory manner.
The courts have held that the
workingmen have right to strike
and may work either singly
or collectively fer the purpose of
>-redressing grievances and right
ing wrongs. The Constitution and
and guarantees of this free Gov
ernment give men the right to
work or quit work individually
or collectively.
Acting Under the Constitution.
The mine workers. therefore,
are but exercising the right
guaranteed by the Constitution
and which cannot be taken away
by the representatives of Gov
ernment when they quit work or
when they refuse to work until
their grievances are adjusted.
The mine workers representa-
tivcs are ready. wiling, and
anxious to meet the coal oper-
ators for the purpose of negotiat-
ing an agreement and bringing
about a settlement of the present
unhappy situation. They will re-
spond at any time to call for
such a meeting and will honest
ly endeavor to work out a wage
agreement upon fair and equit-
able basis which agreement
alone will put the mines in oper-
alton and guarantee the nation
an adequate supply of coal.
We assert that the mine work
ers have no other purpose in view
other than to secure a working
wage agreement. All OF their de-
mands are incorporated in the
wage proposal submitted to the
coal operators, and each and all
are subject to negotiation.
Conscious of the grave RESPONSE
bility resting upon the repre-
sentatives of the coal miners, we
have no other alternative than to
carry out the instructions of the
United Mine Workers convention.
The issue has been made. and if it
must be settled upon the field of
industrial battle, the responsible
ity rests fairly and squarely upon
the coal barons alone.