Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-07-13
LABOR HUNTING
JOKER IN STATE
MINE SCHEME
Unions Fear COnvicts Will
Gust Them if Proposal to
Buy Shaft Passes.

Organized labor today IS in search OF
the Joker" I'm Gov Goodrlch's plan Of
the state OF Indiana owning and operat
ing a coal mine from which 70 supply
all state institutions with coal.
At meeting held In the office OF
President Charles Fox, Indiana Stats
Federation of Labor and attended by
Representatives Of the different state la
Dor organizations. labor's attitude to-
ward the proposed state owned coal
mine was clearly defined.
"a resolution was passed a. that meet-
Ing, said President Fox and presented
by Vice President William Rainey. Elev-
cnth district Of the United Mine WorS-
ers Of America In which It was stated
that labor would be IN favor Of 4 state
owned coal mine provided only union
labor would be- employed IN the mine
and that the mine be operated under
the same contract which is entered into
10y the Indiana coal operators and coal
miners"
Mr.. Rainey. whose offices are In Terre
Haute IS In the city attending the ses-
slonS OF the legislature and other con-
ferences pertaining to labor's interest IN
state owned and controlled mine.
OPPOSED TO STATE
OWNED COAL MINE.
Representative Charles II. Bidamau
publicly has stated that his constituents.
Of which 5000 are coal miners, are op-
posed to state-owned coal mine.
President Fox was asked why the Nigo
county coal miners and others Of that
field feared" the Goodrich proposal Of
a state-owned coal mine.
THEY fear convict labor" said Mr.
Fox.
Representative Bidaman has said he in
tends presenting a resolution calling for
the appointment Of a joint committee to
hold public hearings TO determine public
sentiment toward state-Owned coal
mine: to examine all records and books
of mine property under consideration
and to clearly define how the state ex-
poets to spend the public's money and
TO definitely learn from state officials
whether union or convict labor is to be
employed in the proposed state-owned
mine.
LIVE CAMPAIGN
ISSUE POSSIBLE
Mr.. Bidamau's plan would give the
committee until next January to hold
meetings and then report its findings
to the 1921 session of the legislature.
1t is even possible the proposed mine
plan might result in live campaign Is
sue being created, 1t is pointed out.
Labor leaders state they are here In
the interest OF organized labor and to
watch all steps concerning methods OF
operating state mine.
The representatives. of organized labor
are said to be here to see that the Good.
rich administration and supporters OF
the state coal mine scheme define them
selves clearly on the question of the
kind of labor which would be employed
In the mine.
Some members Of organized labor have
expressed themselves in favor OF the gov
ernment ownership of the coal mines
with the provision that organized union
labor mine the coal.
The state administration as well as the
hackers of Goodrich's proposed state
owned mine VIII be asked to state clear
Iy their position on the question Of
mine labor.
Representative Bidaman says he is
ready to introduce a motion which will
insure a definite statement of intentions
as we'll as careful and authentic sur
vey aud examination Of the proposal OF
state owned coal mine.