The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-01-07
DECISION IS !.
RATIFIED BY
MINERS BODY
Central Committee Of Mine
Workers Affirms Action Of
Officers in Accepting Presi-
dent Proposal.
PRAISES COMMISSION
(By Associated Press)


COLUMBUS, O., Jan. T. BY the
overwhelming vote of 1884 for, to 2z1
against, the reconvened convention of
the United Mine Workers of America
today voted affirmation of the action
of the International officers in accept
ing President Wilson's proposal to
settle the coal strike.
According to Acting President Lew
is, and other International officials,
the affirmation carries with it an
agreement to abide by the decision of
the commission named by the presi-
dent to arbitrate the differences be
tween miners and operators
The vote was taken after three
days debate on a motion presented
by Philip Murray, president of the
Pennsylvania miners organization,
calling for Endorsement of the course
pursued by the International officials
Wide latitude was given all delegates
COLUMBUS, Jan. Acting Pres
fdent John l.. Lewis was scheduled to
address the International convention
of the United Mine Workers of Ameri-
ca at its closing session here today
in defense of the national officers in
accepting President Wilson's proposal
for the settlement of the strike, after
the miners had refused to return to
work in obedience to the mandate of
Federal Judge Anderson, of Indianap-
oils.
1t was the concensus of opinion that
following Lewis address the conven-
tion would vote to affirm the action Of
the officers and thereby agree to abide
by the decision of the coal commits
sion, appointed by the president, to
i effect final settlement
Secretary William Green told the
2,100 delegates late Tuesday that there
| was nothing else they could do but
accept or face disaster and defeat"
after the federal government had de-
! termined to use all the forces at its
command to compel resumption of
work in the, mines.
Ne could ahayas whipped the opera
tors, but we could not, If we had
wanted to have whipped the strongest
government on tho face of the earth
our government, which had just fin
ished whipping Germany" said Green.
| "Honeycombed With Agents"
| with all the mining communities
honeycombed with federal agents
gathering evidence against our men,
our funds tied up, every officer of the
| organization threatened with arrest,
and our women and children facing
starvation, how in the name of God
could we continue the strike?" Green
asked.
Delegates indicated their approval
| of the action taken by the officers by
| prolonged applause of Green's speech.
| Green declared public sentiment
| was so strong against tho miners after
the government had taken the stand
it did, that the public would have
approved anything the government
might have done,
public sentiment was such," he de-
clared, that if our officers had been
taken out and backed up against a
stone wall and shot, the public would
have applauded.
The decision to order the men back
to work was not made, Green said. un-
til after the president had spoken in
1.-THE conference at Washington between
himself and Mr.. Lewis with Attorney
General Palmer and Secretary Tumul-
ty.
II was at this. conference that the
presidents proposal of a IA per cent.
advance and the appointment OF COM
mission to consider further increase
was accepted, subject to the approval
of the national executive board and
scale committee.
Guarantee Of Justice.
1--WE have the guarantee Of the pres
ident of the United States that equal
Justice will be done through this COM
mission, said Green. And l have
firm faith in this commission" he
> added.
Green expressed the hope that the
commission which he said had all the
powers of the fuel administration
: would be able to grant the miners an
: increase in wages and shorter work
day without increasing the selling
L price OF coal.
DIR. Garfield, former federal fuel ad
5 ministrator, was severely criticised by
/ Green. After refusing the miners an
' increase in wages a year ago, Green
q said Garfield when backed into a
corner" had admitted the operators
J, could pay a IA per cent advance with
: out increasing the price of coal.
o Garfield was so displeased with tht
} presidents proposal. Green said, thai
It he got mad and quit"
AFTER that knew we had done the
right thing In accepting the proposal,
Green declared.
An unsuccessful attempt was made
in the convention late Tuesday t.
q postpone approval Of the presfdent'i
proposal until after the commission
has made its finding. The Information
. al officers pointed out that there coul,
II be no arbitration unless both side
D agreed to abide by the decision OF th'
o arbitrators.
:. WlLHELMs SONS SEEK DIVORCE,