The Washington times., 1919-10-18


Demand 8-HOur Day.
] Lewis declared that this phrase did
not mean that the miners were seek
! ing naturalization and explained Il
/ by pointing out that the proposed
/ strike involved the six-hour day and
! affected more men than almost any
/ previous strike in labor's history.
/ In accepting the invitation to the
/ meeting. Thomas Brewster, president
I OF the coal operators, declared formal
| negotiations would not be opened un-
/ less the miners rescinded the strike
| caA. agreed to carry out the existing
! contract and abandoned demands for
a six-hour day and five-day week.
John /. Lewis, acting head Of the
| United Mine Workers, said, I'm accept
/ ing the invitation, the miners would
waive none Of these.
Meanwhile, the Senate subcommit-
| tee Investigating the coal situation
| IS ready to step in if II becomes ap-
parent that the efforts Secretary Will
| son has under way Will fail.
Operators have already laid their
! case before Senator Pomerene (OhiO),
/ and other Senators, Il was learned to-
/ day.
The operators say they are pre-
pared to ask the Senate to so fully
/ into the strike situation and are ready
/ TO present their side or the case.
Outlines operators Position.
Thomas 7. Brewster. chairman Of
the coal operators OF the central COM
petitlye field, and John L. Lewis, act
| ing president OF the United Mine
Workers OF America, assured Secre-
/ tary Wilson that thirty-two members
RI cid frn q n
/ conference next Tuesday.
Mr.. Brewster. In a written state
ment TO Secretary Wilson, and all the
members Of Congress, outlined the po-
EitiOn OF the coal operators. The
tstatement Is as follows:
'"As chairman Of the coal operators
OF the central competitive field I am
instructed to make the following re-
ply TO your suggestions that negotia-
tions between the miners and opera
tors be resumed. The coal operators
assure you that they are willing to
comply with your request, but the
resumption Of such negotiations
should be predicated upon the follow
ing:
'.The miners must indicate their
willingness to carry out the existing
contract (which contract II. A. Car
field, United States Fuel Administra-
tor attests IS still in effect) TO its
legal termination.
Wants Order Reaeinded.
"To do so the present strike order
effective November 1 must be rescind-
ed, and work must be continued
pending negotiations.
'In order 10 produce sufficient coal
for the needs Of the public at the
lowest possible cost, we refuse 20
negotiate any reduction in the hou-s
OF labor below the present standard
s hours per day.L6 days per week.
CAS- pertinent to the question iu-
volved the operators deem IL advisable
to say that the coal operators Of the
central competitive field have ad-
hered to the principles and practices
Of collective bargaining for thirty
three years with the largest body OF
organized labor in the United States
and it IS our opinion that our sealed
negotiations have broken down and
that our contract has been abrogated
by the miners union in their call for
a strike November I, because the
present system OF collective bargain
ing does not fix equal responsibility
under the law upon the employer and
the labor union.
"Our experience teaches us that no
set Of employers should agree to a
system OF collective bargaining which
does not make both parties to the
contract equally liable and RESPONSE
bic for the observance Of the teFmsI
Of such contract"
In a letter to the members Of Con-
Sress, Mr.. Brewster emphasized that
tn the thirty-thrCe years the coal
operators have been bargaining COLI
leCtiyely with their employees, the
IN "a
the terms Of the contracts. He stated
that this failure TO carry out con-
tract obligations was due in part to
the inability OF tho mine officials to
control the members Of their organ
ization IN the absence Of legal re-
spOnsibility.
John L. Lewis, i'm answer to the
statement Of the operators, declared
that the responsibility Of a coal
strike rested with the coal operators. |
Cites Many Obstacles.
The operators set forth insuperabIe
obstacles to the negotiations OF a |
wage agreement" he said in a formal |
statement, which has been their |
consistent attitude for weeks. Con-
sequently they must accept full re- |
sponsibility for inflicting a coal strike |
with its manifold hardships on the
American people. The only way TO |
stop the strike is TO give the work !
crs IN the mines the degree Of con-
sideratiOn to which they are entitled !
by the impClling force Of moral and |
physical necessity"
The impending cOaI strike and tie /
shortage generaly experienced in |
Washington during the past few win
ters may have disastrous results. ac- /
cording to local coal dealers. II is |
urged, however, that coal orders for !
the winter be placed as soon as DOS /
sible, SO as TO avert congestion when
the cold weather sets i'm. Despite a !
possible shortage in the future, deal /
ers say that a supply is now on hand 4
sufficient to meet the present demands /
of the people Of the District.
Demand for Federal Investigation
OF alleged injusticos 10 coal miners
In West Virginia fields was made i'm a /
resolution laid before the Senate to-
Cay.
According 10 a resolution. an auto
- -- ---s17---------
Z