Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-08-04
LEWIS SENDS
HOT MESSAGE
TOALEX. HOWAT
Mine Workers President Bent
on Ending Illegal Strike in
Kansas District.
TO OBEY LAWS

John L. Lewis, international presi-
dent Of the United Mine Workers Of
America, today took definite action
toward ending the illegal strike Of
coal miners in Kansas.
Reports reaching the international
headquarters showed 3,4S8 men on
strike in that state
Thirty-three mines were closed
down, and President Lewis said the
strike in each instance was illegal
and unauthorized
Under the provisions of the contract
between the United Mine Workers and
the Southwestern Coal Operators asso-
citation all disputes arising under the
agreement shall be taken before joint
board for adjustment, but according TO
the information received by Lewis this
has not cen done.
Therefore, he said, the men must re-
turn to work and take up their griev,
ances in the usual manner.
WIRES LOCALS TO
RESUME WORK.
Lewis sent kilograms to all of the
thirty three local unions on strike direct
ing them to resume operations at once.
He also sent a telegram to Alexander
Howat, president OF the Kansas miners,
denouncing him in strong language for
his course in fostering and fomenting
the strike trouble.
Lewis telegram to Howat was as fol-
lows:
"Onlcial adylces reaching this onice
indicate thirty-three mines were idle yes
terday In the state Of Kansas.
-Four OF these mines were idle because
Of local grievances which had not been
handled by officers OF District four
teen in conformity with procedure out
lined in agreement between miners and
operators
THE remaining number Of mines were
idle because OF fines which had been as
sessed against part OF the mine workers
because OF their action In trying TO en-
force an Illegal condition contrary to
provisions Of agreement.
Il am informed you, as president Of
District fourteen. have never taken up
this question with coal operators In man
ner specified by southwestern interstate
agreement, TO which you are a signatory
and tho provisions OF which you are in
honor bound to respect
CAN NOT TOLERATE
CONDITIONS.
"Thls condition OF affairs is most as
founding and can not be tolerated by
this Office.
III it IS your desire to continue 70
function as officer OF United Mine Work
ers ! warn you 10 comply with its laws.
a continuation OF the mad course
you are pursuing IN Kansas will bring
further confederation TO your organiza-
tion and stamp you as a man devoid
a. principle and destitute OF honor.
THE miners OF Kansas. through the
rfncesssnt and continuous strikes which
you have directly ordered or sanctioned.
are gradually teing reduced 20 a state
Of poverty AMI wos which Is trasical
ard most indefensibIe.
This Office Is In receipt az appeals
from many members Of the orgs, citation
In Kansas pleading for the Intervention
~ the International union to save them
from your ruluous government.
For this reason I can no longer ig
nore your stultifyiug actions
II propose that the provisions OF the
Joint agreement between miners and
operators in district No. "A shall he
carried out IN Just the same manner
as is done In every other district within
Jurisdiction Of our union.
The childish walls Of defiance which
will doubtless enanate from you upon
receipt OF this message viii not In any
manner affect the situation.
tAPRICEs
OF DEMAGoGUE.
The miners Of Kansas shall not he
permitted 20 be sacrificed to the whims
and caprices Of a demagogue.
Il have today telegrapned the seCre-
tarles OF each OF the thlrty-three local
unions in Kansas directing that the
miners return 10 work and the mines be
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