Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-09-21
SEEK APPLICATION
OF PLUMB SYSTEM
TO COAL INTEREST
Declares Public Ownership
Is Necessary to Con-
serve Supply.
APPALLING WASTE EXISTS
UNDER PRIVATE OPERATION
Say Mine Owners Conduct In
dustry on Principle of "After
Us the Deluge."
WOULD CURTAIL COURTS POWER
Propose to Deprive Supreme Tri-
bunal Of Right to Invalidate
Acts Of Congress.
APPALLING WASTE EXISTS
UNDER PRIVATE OPERATION
WOULD CURTAIL COURTS POWER
Propose to Deprive Supreme Tri-
bunal Of Right to Invalidate
Acts Of Congress.
fBy Associated Preml

ventton OF the United Mine Workers
OF America today developed It's plan
for the naturalization OF coal mines
which includes purchase by the Federal
government of ali private mines at
their actual value as determined by
Federal appraisers and operation by
the Federal government. with EQUAL
miner representation upon the bodies
administering the industry and fixing
wages and conditions OF employment.
Naturalization OF coal mines IN Canada
is also proposed.
The miners offer right of way to ma
capitalization OF railroads. provided the
railroad brotherhoods pledge them
selves to continue the night with equal
v!sor for the decentralization of mines.
Action was taken by unanimous ris-
ing vote
Would Curtail Power. of Court.
The convention further adopted res
olutions demanding Legislation to take
from the United States Supreme Cour.
the power to declare unconstitutional
move Postmaster Burieson as
opponent OF labor and asking a new
Mssssss ana wsrfen X ming. the
It refused. however. to cali as pro-
Of all production until all political and
industrial prisoners are released and
in It's resolution on the espionage act
Justly convicted for interference with
the prosecution of the war and that it
hed no desire TO condone such offenses.
Naturalization Resolution.
The resolution In regard to nationali-
cation OF mines reads in par, as fol-
lows:
dispensabie TO the economic life OF
the nation and To the we'll uelnE of
the nations Citizens.
The a.i-iHportant coal resources OF
our country are owned and controlled
by private interests. Under the pre-
yail'hs system Of private ownership
pose or creating profits for the coal
owners.
tenn is characterized by an appalling
waste. The incompatible natural re-
sources. of America and particularly
thcss Of timber and coal are being de-
sEoiled under 4 system OF production
which wastes from SO to so per cent
OF these resources In order that the
crue TO these capitalists who have Sc
cured ownership OF these Indispensable
commodities.
Should De Owned by Public.
We hold that the coal supply OF
our nation should be owned by the
Commonwealth and operated in the in
tcrest OF and for the use and comfort
of d. the people of the Commonwealth.
Countless generations of men and wo-
men will undoubtedly follow us and
the American people of this genera
iion owe solemn duty TO them in
protecting with jealous care and con-
serving with wise administration
those great t!cs sures which poun
teou; nature has bestowed upon Us IN
sucn generous store.
Our coal resources are the birth
right Of the american people for all
time to come and we hold that 1t is
the Immediate duty Of the American
people to prevent the pronigate waste
that is taking place under private
ownership Of these resources, by hav-
ing the government take such steps
as may be necessary, providing for the
naturalization OF the coal mining in
dustry of the United States.
"After us the Deiuee.,
Under private ownership, where
gain, the spirit of these times seems
TO be after us the deluge.' This must
be supplanted by system where pro-
mon good and economic waste will
give way to conservation of the ma
TONS heritage in the interest of pos
we. the United Mine Workers of
America. in convention assembled, rep
rcsenting the workers who have their
ents invested in the coal mines of the
country, do therefore resolve:
That we demand the immediate ma
tonalization Of the eoa-mining in
instruct our international officers and
the International executive board to
have bill prepared for submission
to Congress containing the following
provisions:
First. that the government through
act of Congress, acquire title to ALL
coal properties within the United
States. now owned by private inter
ests. by purchasing said properties at
figure representing the actual valua-
ton of said properties as determined
upon investigation by accredited
agents OF the Federal government.
Tor Government Operation.
Second, that the coal mining indus.
try he operated by the Federal gov
eminent and that the mine workers
be given equal representation upon such
councils.or commercial commissions as
may be delegated tho authority to adj
minister the affairs Of the coal-minine
industry: of the authority to act upor
the question of wages. hours of labor
conditions of employment or the ad-
judlcation OF disputes and grievances
within the industry"
4 A third section instructs the inter.
4 national officers to start n campaign tc
bring the demand for nationalizati on OF
mines to the attention of the people
and to secure the support OF all pro.
Continued on Second Page.)