Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1920-01-16
Labor and Industrial.

Serious Industrial disturbances were
prevalent during tic greater part of
the year In all countries that had been
engaged IN wnr. The series OF great
strikes in the United States was in
augurated on January 8 by walk
out Of marine workers in New York.
This strike was OF short duration, how
Ing an arbitration Of the dispute Ivy
the war labor board South America
apparently was affected also by new
conditions rs great strikes were in
progress during January in Argentina
and Peru.
On February 6 the country was
startled by announcement of gen.
cral strike In Seattle called in sup
port Of striking shipbuilders. Author
forced by the radical labor element
and prompt measures were taken by
Mayor Ole Hanson to suppress it. AS
a result the strike ended on February
10. On February 16 nationwide
strike Of building trades workers was
started and on March 4 the marine
workers In New York again went out.
On April Is strike Of girl operators
tied up the telephone service through
out the New England states. but this
was ended on April 20 by a compro-
mise wage increase.
On July IS the Building Employers
association of Chicago, combating
strike of building workers. locked out
zoo 900 employees. On the same day
Boston street car employees went on
strike. Chicago surface and elevated
car men struck on July 90 but the
strike ended three days later with
compromise wage agreement. Rail-
way shopmen throughout the country
struck on August l for IN increase
from as cents to 81 cents an hour, but
the strike was called off on, August II.
On August Z there was inaugurated
In New York one of the most unusual
strikes on record--a walkOut of actors.
The strike spread to Chicago and was
not settled until September 6 when
the actors won.
On September 8 the largest part Of
the Boston police force went on Strike
after the suspension Of patrolmen &C.
tive I'm forming a union. Rioting fol-
lowed. In which seven persons were
killed. The striking policemen voted
on September Il to return to duty.
On September % steel workers
throughout the country went on strike.
demanding wage increases and shorter
hours. Many plants were closed for n
hat 4.
ened and within q few weeks prnc-
tically normal conditions we're re-
stored.
On October 6 an Industrial confer.
ence called b. President Wilson. rep
resentiQg labor. capital and the public,
opened its sessions In Washington,
but after Intellectual attempts to agree
ciple Of collective bargaining, the la.
Dor members withdrew on October 90
and two days later the conference
came to an end without having &C.
complishcd any result.
On October Is bituminOus coaI min
ers were ordered to quit work on Oc-
tober 81 upon failure Of the miners
~
schedule OF wages and hours. The
leaders Of the miners refused To CON
slider an appeal by President Wilson
to call off the strike. pending an Of
fort to effect q compromise. and the
government proceeded to take vigor-
Gus steps to prevent the shutting OF
the mines. The department of JUS
ticc obtained an injunction from Fed
cral Judge Anderson at indianapolis
to prevent the leaders OF the union
from directing the strike. which. how
ever. began on November I.
The shortage of coal especially in the
middle and western states. became
alarming and the situation was ron
dcrcd worse by n severe cold wave.
THE fucl administration and local
commissions put into effect drastic
orders for conservation Of coal. Pres.
ld"nt Wilson then proposed that the
miners accept 81 wage increase OF u
per cent and return to work at once
and that commission Of three to- be
appointed by him investigate and set.
tie wages and conditions for the fl.
ture. This plan was accepted by the
miners on December 10 and coal pro-
ductiOn was resumed.
Mexico and the United States.
Conditions in Mexico continued TO
provide a pcrpleXing problem for the
United States government during the
year 1919.
A report on July 6 that armed Mex
leans had attacked and robbed q boat.
load OF American sailors near Tam.
pico caused bitter feeling and on Au.
gust II this was intensified by the cup
ture Of two United States army avla
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