Americus times-recorder., 1919-10-30
MINERS TELL
PUBLIC THEIR
SIDE OF FIGHT
Continued t-om Page One.)

presidents, United Mine Workers of
America, gave most profound con
sideration to the statement of the
/ President of the United States, which
: appeared in the public press recent
/ ly, relative to the impending strike
of bitumInous miners sec for Nov. l.
No communication was received bv|
the international officers of the Unit
ed Mine Workers of America from
either the President or any represen-
tative of the federal government.
"a. canvass of the entire situation
: shows that a strike of bituminous
{ miners cannot be avoided. A regu-
larly constituted convention of rep
resentatiyes Of United Mine Workers
held at Cleveland, O., on Sept 25. or
/ dered a strike of bituminous mine
workers to become effective Nov. /
in the event wage scale was not
negotiated before that time. The
highest authority fthe organiza-
ton has acted in this manner, and no
representatives of the organization
have authority to set such action
aside. The facts are that the same
supreme authority which ordered the
pending strike is the same as that
( which approved the contract which
has now expired.
"The responsibility of the strike
rxyitb ba mol
have refused to negotiate a wage
agreement, Notwithstanding the fact
the mine workers representatives
have urged and beseeched them to
do SO. The fundamental causes
which prompted the mine workers to
take this drastic action are deep seat
ed. For two years their wages have
remained stationary They appealed
one year ago to the federal fuel adj
ministration, Dr. Garfield, and from
him to the President of the United |
States for an increase in wages
sufficient to meet the increase in the
cost 0 fthe necessaries of life. Their
appeal wa rejected and their request
continued mining coal until now
thir contract expires, when they are
determined that their grievances
must be adjusted in reasonably sat
isfactory manner.
The courts have held that the
working men have right to strike
and may quit work either single or
collectively for the purpose of re-
dressing grievances and righting
wrongs. The constitution and guar
antees of this free government give
men the right to work or quit work
individually or collectively.
''The mine workers therefore are
but exercising the right guaranteed
by the constitution and which can
not be taken away by the represen-
tatives of government when they
quit work or when they refuse to
work until their grievances are ad-
| justed. The mine workers represen-
tatives are ready, willing and anx-
/ ious to meet the coal operators for
the purpose of negotiating an agroe-
ment and bringing about settle
ment of the present unhappy situa-
ton. They will respond at any time
| to call for such meeting and will
honestly endeavor to work out a
wage agreement upon a fair and
equitable basis, which agreement
alone will put the mines in opera
ton and guarantee the nation an
adequate supply of coal. We assert
that the mine workers have no 9TH
er purpose in view-other than to Sc
cure working wage agreement. All
of their demands are incorporated in
the wage proposal submitted to the
coal operators, and each and all are
subject to negotiation.
Conscious fthe grave response
bility resting upon the representa-
tives 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 responsibility rests fairly and
squarC y upon the coal barons alone.