New-York tribune., 1920-08-27

avoid, accept contracts not safeguarded by
reliability and good faith
Permit US, now, to draw this subject
TO the attention of those depending on
bltumlnous coal for the warmth of their
hearths next winter We will presume
that you are interested We will presume
no difficulty on your part in recalling the
hardshlps when the United Mine Workers
closed all the mines under their control in
Observation-Disclosures, 1919. We doubt not
that you will recall that the Williamson
and adjoining non-union fields furnished
you your almost total supply of coal dur
ing that crucial time. Now, then, for an
open secret. The Williamson field has been
chosen by the United Mine Workers as the
key to the adjoining Pocahontas, Winding
Gulf, Raleigh and Logan fields in West
Virginia, and the fields of eastern Ken
lucky. If they can make their break
through this field, their chances are en-
larged for subsequent supremacy in the
other coal fields mentioned.
Give them supremacy over this terri
tory and they will have control of practi-
cally the entire bituminous coal produc-
tion of the United States With that con-
troll they will have easily within their
grasp the power which they sought in
1919, of freezing the country into SUBJ
mission to the program outlined by their
National Convention, of
Naturalization of the coal industry:
Cooperation instead of competition:
Six hour day and five day week;
The right to bargain with the govern
ment.
What would this power to shut off coal
production mean to the warming of YOUR
hearth and the heating of YOUR kitchen
range?
The Williamson field and those immedi-
ately contiguous to it. as enumerated
above, have production capacity of
100000 tons a month, or 2500O0OO tons
during the five winter months.
Accepting the usual estimate of a ton
per month per family, which will likely
hold true, the capacity of these fields if
undisturbed, will yield provision for five
million families during the winter season.
Assuming again that the ordinary fam
lily is correctly estimated by census statis-
tics at five persons, these fields have the
capacity of providing 5000, 900 people, or
about one-fourth of the total population,
with their winters fuel supply
1NeSe HgureS ana estimates are only
suggestive but are worthy of considera-
ton. The railroads must have fuel, to
carry fuel to you. The navy and the ship
ping interests will have demands that must
be attended to. And unless industry is ,
supplied there are but few that will be
able to provide their fuel supply
Is not this statement worthy of studious,
conscientious, family-loving consideration?
The United Mine Workers has defied in
dustry. 1t has defied the American family.
1t is contemptuou5aDf its contracts with
operators. 1t scorns public necessities.
May we not ask YOU as an independent
coal user, whether you wish in view of
your personal convenience and necessity
and comfort, to depend upon our efforts
and strategy in providing your winters
supply OF coal, or upon the good faith Of an
organization that wantonly breaks its con-
tracts and is lacking in sympathy for the
personal, public and industrial demands Of
all coal users?
This is our second address through the
press to the coal users of the country. We
desire to acknowledge with appreciation
the many responses made by readers of our
1ormer address, and their tender of SUD-
port in the fight we are making. Our sole
purpose IN going to the public is to advise =
and warn the people of the possibility of
1uel trouble during next winter. that thew
may lodge the blame therefor whera +
properly oelongs-upon the United Mine
Workers of America.