South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-08-05
THANKS LEWIS
FOR WORK In
Mine TROUBLE
Pres't Wilson Wires Greeting
While HOwat Denounces
Miners Chief.
BY Associated Press

by AsSocldleN lTtSss
INDIANAPOLIS. Ind, Aug. A.
Prest Wilson expressed TO John L
Lewis. president of the United Mine
Workers Of America. his gratifica-
ton over the prompt action taken
by Mr.. Lewis in directing the stTik-
ing coal miners in Illinois and lndi-
ana 10 return 10 work Mr.. Lewis
received the following letter from
Pres't Wilson Wednesday;
Your action in response TO my
statement urging the striking miners
very deeply indeed. il is the action
of a patriotic citizen and man OF
vision and prescience. ! am glad
that you feel as | do that in urging
the men to return TO work l was
speaking in their interest as much as
IN the interest Of the general public
and of the industrial enersy of the
country
Strikes Illegal.
In his relegra~~1s Pres't Lewis de
clared the strikes are illegal and un-
authorized and in violation of a con-
tract between the United Mine
Workers and the Southern Coal Op-
orators association. The contract
calls for settlement of all disputes
by joint board OF adjustment. and
the men must return 10 work and
take up their grievances in the prop
CT manner Lewis said.
Mr.. Lewis also sent 4 telegram
10 Alexander Howat. sharply taking
him To- task tor fostering the trouble
in the Kansas field. In his message e
Lewis declared the president OF tho
Kansas miners had made no attempt
TO settle the strike in that state as
provided in the contract with the
operators and he warns Howat that
he must comply with the laws of
the union.
"A combination Of the mad course
you are pursuing in Kansas will bring
further condemnation to your or
ganization and stamp you as a man
! devoid of principle and destitute OF
honor said The message.
PITTSBURG, Kas, Aug Al
| eNander NJ. Howat, president OF the
Kansas Mine Workers union, tonight
/ sent telegram to John l.. Lewis
president Of the International union,
refusing 10 abide by instructions re-
| ceived from Lewis today that StriK-
| ing coal miners i'm Kansas return 10
work Immediately.
The reply to Lewis said. II re-
ceived your message this afternoon
| which / regard as q direct insult
| The cowardly insinUation you have
made that I have called the miners
/ on strike at this time is without
\ the least Scmblance Of truth and is
I in conformity with many other
: statements you have mde Had YOU
! stood as FIRMLY in defense of the
] .e.f -.
/ winter when they were makirg such
"a noble fight 10 obtain justice al
/ the hands OF the coal corporations
/ as YOU are standing i'm defense OF the
I operators at this time there would
have been no occasion for the Hi
+ uois and Indiana mine workers tu
. cease work 20 secure another in
crease in wages
DCnOunCCs Lewis.
. you speak of dcmagogues.
know of no man who Is more OF a
denagogue than yourself. | arr
/ ready 10 compare my record with
] yours at any time and the miners
I then may Judge for themselves Whu
I is "a deu.a goEue. If YOU were as
much concerned about the welfare
/ CT the miners as you appear TO be
! about the coal operators and tho
]
/ country would be a great deal bet
I ter than they are today.
Your action in sending n commit-
l tee OF the international executive
! board here, and your statement that
I you will take charge OF the district
and depOse me from office shall not
| influence me in the least. ] have
/ committed no crime; / have not yi-
! Olated the laws Of our orga nizatior
I and as far as I am concerned you
/ may proceed 10 do your worst, but
\ during tho time that I am president
/ OF the district. regardless of you and
all other opposition that may stand
\ in the path Of justice, ] am. going tc
/ continue to stand for what l be-
/ licve is right in behalf OF the men
/ I have the homer 10 represent, and
| any action on your part shall not in
/ fluepCe me otherwise.