Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-08-31
UN|0NLABORH HEADS
'DECRY COAL STRIKE
ynsurHent Miners Need Expect
/ No Aid From National
Organization
WILSON'S STAND IND0RSED

Nv Washington, Aug. 31.-Any strike
of hard coal miners because Of dissatis-
faction with the wage commission award
/ win be an "outlaw" affair condemned
by public opinion and without the
backing OF organized labor, government
officials and labor spokesmen declared
today. There was agreement on the point
that the mine workers. having been
bound by their authorized representa-
tives to abide by the commissions de-
cision, must accept the award as an
nounced or defy the public. the govern
ment and officers Of their own organiza-
lions.
President Wilson's telegram to rebel
Hous miners in Pennsylvania. sent in
answer to their strike threat, was gen
orally approved. Labor leaders admitted
the Justice of the Presidents attitude.
A survey Of sentiment in labor cir
cIes Indicated that the miners can ex-
/ pect no support from the American Fed
Grafton of Labor, nor, according to
officials here, from tho United Mine
Workers. President Samuel Gompers, of
che federation, while in close touch with
developments, is understood to hold the
view that the controversy thus far is
strictly a miners affair, and that the
federation would not be justified in tep-
ping into Il or expressing any opinion
unless o strike Is actually called.
Appeal to Labor Forecast
rfsthe miners get beyond control and
btareDn a rampage to force the opera
tors to terms, federation officials, it
was said, may make q direct appeal to
loyal organized labor in the hard coal
region to go back to work and abandon
the ''outlnw" leaders.
, President Gompers declared today he
had nothing to say" on the new de-
velopments. he is understood to be in
/. touch with Presirent John l.. Lewis, of
| the u. NJ. w. A, In Indianapolis, but
would not discuss the strike threat or
! the Justice of the wage commissioners
/ award.
Department of Justice officials are
prepared to institute immediate pro-
/ ceedings against the mine workers un
Z der the Lever act in the event of a
! strike. They declared the departments $
:. atfitude, IN view OF the Presidents let
1 ter 30 the wage commission and tele-
! gram to the miners, would be the same
as toward the OUTLAW" railroad strik-
! ers In Chicago, where numbers of strike
leaders were indicted for conspiracy.
i Agents Of the department have been on
INC krOuuu bluCe JEe sJElht IuLh sSaIIeu
/ Peaceful Solution Hoped For
In government circles the feeling pre-
! walls that the next move Is up to the
! miners. The hope is expressed that re
(, calcitrants will accept the award and
/ attempt by peaceful methods TO obtain
further concessions from the operators.
I Labor spokesmen here. denouncing
I what they termed the essential injus
7 "a ~. thA ,s,n
( could have obtained q greater increase
! IN wages had they dealt with the opera
tors directly. They construe its terms
and the dissatisfaction growing out of
It as an argument for direct bargaining
between operators and miners, and
point to peaceful settlements effected
between district committees and opern-
tors in the bituminous fields after the
general committees appointed for the
entire industry had failed to agree.
Calls Award Reactionary
The award of the Commission
Is characterized as the most reaction
ary decision that has been made by an
Industrial tribunal during the recon
struction period" BY w. Jett Lauck,
consulting economist for the United
Mine Workers. in telegram published
today predicting trouble in the
sntnracite ne'o' as " result o' NNe
nn.ahss ..I .L;, 10 80. boliavo tbot
ea3 Ia'S, ol,ar aU az, aor yrora +hen
81 ~ roa.Sau ~ :" roinnoior wban
with his data before hin, he predicts
rain" said Mr.. Lauck ''The anthra-
cite workers are asked to accept min,
With az neT Sav for The bituminous
miners Granted bv the bituminous com
mission which bv agreement, is now
being Increased to $3.50 in Illinois and
$6.T6 or 81 in Ohio and Pennsylva
mia. How can the public expect the
United Mine Workers 10 enforce ac-