The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-09-10
WILSON SHARPLY
REBUKES MINERS
For Strike Under Guise of
Vacation" Which De-
Ceived No One.
MUST OBSERVE CONTRACT

Washington, Sept. 10 President
anthracite coal commission to consider
renewed demands OF the anthracite coal
miners, now ON strike, for increased
wages.
The president sharply criticized the
anthracite miners who Went on strike
under guise of taking a vacation" ana
declared athe men have deceived no
tssAot even themselves"
sAnt.s refusal was em-
pc.I~ s.Hi>> - Phillip Murray,
J. Golden rcpre. sasJ miners at
Scranton, Pa. h}SNFrE
The president IN refusing to reopen
the wage negotiations declared that
''wo could not look the world In the
face or justify our action TO our own
people and our own conscience II we
yielded one iota to the men In the sn-
thracite coal fields, who are violating
the contracts so recently entered into
between themselves and the coal opera
ators and the government OF the United
States" He declared that we had made
untold sacrifices" in the war "to in
sure among other things that SOL
enn agreement shall not be considered
as mere scrap OF paper"
THE miners have decided on new de-
mands," Thomas Kennedy, president of
District announced to the International
News Service. They now want 10 per
cent more wages than the n per cent
award for the contract miners, making
n total increase of 30 per cent Conn
mon labor outside the mines now wants
an additional fiat increase OF $3.50 II day,
making minimum OF $3.50 n day in
stead OF the $i20 offered"
DO you back them up in this?'
~ like other officials and the miners
themselves, believe the wage award to
be unjust" Kennedy answeted.
Operators declare that II the miners
remain out another week. they win have
lost I'm wages Il sum equal to the SIS ,000.
900 wage aware retroactive since April
Enoch Williams. insurgcnt leader, snld
today:
I'VE are pleased at the situation.
more men are coming out, All we want
is Justice. The mine operators have
hluGed the public long enough" @4ss
Robert Quinn. manager OF the Slssque-
hanna Coal company, employing $500
men. permitted inspection Of his com
pany's records showing contract miners
averaged from s2f0 to $3.50 monthly,
some even make 1926 nionth.'
Sheriff MacLuskie. of LuZerne county.
has warned strikers there must be no
with men who want to
work.
"J'icketing will not he tolerated" ne
said today. I'VE have men enough TO
break II up and intend 20 do so. Any
man who becomes picket must suffer
the consequences"
The president declared that when n
body of men collectively refrained from
working by mutual understanding,
however arrived at. II was a strike no
matter what name was given IL,
A ma iorty of the anthracite miners
had refrained from work under tho
guise OF taking n vacation, the presi-
dent said and he told the committee
that while he appreciated the earnest
ness OF It's efforts TO get the men To
return 10 work, and commended It's
stand In support OF contract ohliga-
tions, declared his unwlliingness 10 re-
open the wage question.
Pittsburgh, Sept. 10.--Considerntion
Of President Wilson's refusal to re-
open the conference OF the joint scale
committee of operators and miners TO
reconsider the anthracite wage award
win be the principal subject at a meet
Ing OF the executive board OF districts
Nos. I, and ?. to he held 'as soon
as possible" according to statement
here today by Philip Murray, inter.
vice president OF the United
Mine Workers OF America.