Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-01-07
MINE LEADER DECLARES
DISASTER FACED STRIKERS
Gould Have Whipped Operators. but
Could Not Defeat Strongest
Government on Earth.
GREEN ADDRESSES CONVENTION
Tells Delegates Proposal to Require
Presidents Commissions Award
To BE Submitted To Referendum
Would BE breaking Faith.

COLUMBUS. ONO. Jan. 6-Dofcnd-
ing tho action OF himself and Acting
president John l.. Lewis in agreeing
TO accept President Wilson's proposal
Tor Scttie!nen, Of the soft-c miners
strike. William Green. international
secretary OF the United Mine Workers,
declared the only other alternative was
disaster and defeat for the miners
organization"
We could nave whipped the coal
operators. but We could not If We had
wanted to whip the strongest govern
ment on carth--our government
which had just finished whipping Ger
many.
u.,lI Ilf we had no; accepted Presiden,
powers OF the Federal government
would have been turned loose on us
with greater ferocity than anything
we know we had reached the limit :"
he asserted as the delegates. With loud
applause and cheering, voiced approval
of what he said.
Were Forced TO Quit.
with every mining community in
the country honeycombed with Federal
agents. gathering evidence against our
men, our funds tied mp and women
and children freezing and facing star
vation. how. IN the name Of God. could
We go on with the striker" Green con-
tinued.
on the part OF some OF the delegates.
led BY Robert II. tIarlin, president Of
the WashinGton miners, 10 defeat the
MURRAY. OF Pennsylvania. to approve
the actions OF the officers by requir-
ing the award which is 10 be made by
tho Presidents commission to be sub
mitted 10 a referendum vote or a re-
convened convention OF the United
Mine Workers.
Secretary Green and Acting Presiden.
Lewis warned the delegates that 20
do otherwise than 70 accept the pro-
posal would not be keeping faith with
commission Nigh; not make, any award
IF the miners should decide to rcservc
; thf risht.to-e referendum op,ths com-
~ nsssion's findings. Lewis ruled fIar-
Inns amendnlent out OF order.
Agrees to A~nrd In Advance.
Both Lewis and Green stated that
acceptance of the Presidents proposa
meant that the miners agreed TO abide
by the decision OF the Presidents com
mission. Lewis declared the public and
the commission arc entitled TO know
| whether the operators and and miners VIII VIII
. agree To abide by the decision, then
there can be no arbitration. Lewis
said. The Presidents propoSai. hewis LeI,ls
that IL would be accepted by both par
tics.
Lewis Will address the conventio9,n,
tomorrow and then the convention Will
vote on the motion To affirm the action
Of the officers.
The debate over the Hsrli12. amend. d.
ment and the speech OF secretary
Green clar itied the convention sitna-
tion and developed the. real purpose
Of the convention. which IS to accept
or reject the Presidents proposal TO
arbitratc.
Lenders Are Agreed.
Ii WAS made clear to the delegates
tina; the officers of the international
/, i1nD I'd n
being convinced of the futility of
Snlrsi"S sIarsd had "i resoved r E itscls into one
against tho government and not
against tho coal operators
carry out The policies laid down by
the Cleveland convention was reached
AT the washinGton conforenec with
;ary ;siSS' Tumuity, ns'Gi Green said
"A letter prepared by the President
was read ~ that confSrence. Said
out 10 the public would have resulted
in such a rising tide OF public senti-
mcnt against Tho mine workers. that
We had been taken out and shot We
knew what the Government meant,
and We knew when We had reached
our limit.
Promised Fair Deal.
we were told that if the miners
would obey the requirements OF the
Federal government the President
would see TO il that fair commis-
sion was appointed to consider our
case, and that he would guarantee
equal justice would be DONE"
Green scored former Fuel Admins
TRAITOR CiarGclds After Or. Garfield
got mad and uui,, his job because he
didn't like the Presidents proposal
knew We had made no mistake in
accepting it." Green said. Secretary
Green expressed confidence in the COM
mission. lie said he believed it would
settle many iocan controversies which
have long been hone OF contention
fcctinE their settlements.
The award Of the commission, he
said. would furnish tho basis for the
wage agreement which would finally
be negotiated through collective bar
gaining between n joint scale confer
ence OF miners and operators.
Green charged former Fuel Admins
Continued on Rage Two.)
n Il W.T. n