Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-09-12
The Anthracite Contract breakers

| UST President Wilson gave swift
! j and decisive answer to the insurgent
! coal miners OF the anthracite field when
they warned him that unless he approved
! thu minority report of the anthracite coal
! commission, granting them a 27 per cent
/ increase in wages, they would issue IL strike
order so he answered them again when
! they truculently announced their inten-
ton 10 tie up the hard-coal fields it he did
not consent TO reasonable the commission
and reopen the case. The first challenge
was promptly accepted by the President In
MS approval and announcement OF the
award granting the workers II per cent
increase. lie did not handy words with
The rebcllious group of miners lie did
not mention them in his communication.
He simply ignored their demand and au-
thorized his commissioners to put into eff
feet the award OF the majority.
Following the award, hundreds Of miners
went ont on vacation" in face OF the fact
tina, their leaders. although under protest
accepted the decision and wrote it into their
new agreement with the operators. Then,
before the ink on their signatures to the
new contract was cold. the union leaders
themselves calmly declared their inter On
OF violating their word and tying up the
great hard-coal industry with general
vacation strike. This threat the >Presi-
point, He accepts the challenge and will
meet the issue. He will have no friendly
relations with American workmen who SO
lightly violate their solemn compact any
more than the American people will recog-
nize nations which make OF their treaties
scraps of paper
How the miners will receive this sum-
mary rejection of their demands remains to
he seen II they strike. making general
what was only an insurgent protest they
VIII 40 so i'll open violation OF thier cove
nant with the government. They solemnly
agreed when they accepted the plan of arbi-
tration to abide faithfully by the findings
they were given every opportunity to pre-
sent their case and to support il with the
fullest testimony. They were given equal
representation with the operators on the
arDitral commission and raised no objec-
ton at any stage of the proceedings to the
personnel Of that board.
Even in accepting the award. the miners
cwn member of the commission RECOGNIZED
their obligation to carry il out faithfully.
when he said, All our energies and au-
thorlty, without reservation, will be de-
voted TO that end" Now, within a few
days OF that declaration, which had an hon
est ring and which the American public
accepted at its face value, the whole anthra-
cite region is again in an uproar and il
is threatened that Monday will see not
mine in operation.
me miners are overpiaying their hand
IL this is their idea OF honoraby carving
out thclr covenant with the government and
aGlulng ny their contracts, then they may
as well have their lesson now. They have
mistaken the temper Of the American poo
pie who stand soiidly behind the President
as the issue seems about To be joined it
may prove ii momentous industrial battle
mat Is about 10 be wagcd, but the result
never viii be in doubt. for no strike what
ever may be its proportions, can succeed
"heh 1t is based on dishonor and has
a!ienated the public sympathy