Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-01-08
UNION LEADER RS At I
MINERS NEE inc
WIN ALL POINTS
Conference Endorses Settle
Ss o5,sa mt of Coal Strike and E.
Y ITS of Radicals Are Re-
pudiated by Big Majority.


Columbus, O., Jan. international
will go before the commission APP
pointed by President Wilson to arbi-
trate final settlement of the contro-
versy between miners and operators,
with the backing of the rank and file
of the miners organization, as re-
suit of action today of the reconvened
convention of the miners.
BY a vote of 1639 to 221 the con-
vention adopted the motion of Philip
Murray, president of the Pennsyl-
vania miners. to endorse the action
of the international officers in calling
off the strike and agreeing to accept
the presidents proposal. which pro-
vdes for a IA per cent advance in
wages and agreement to submit all
questions in dispute to the presidents
commission.
The convention adjourned sine die
and Acting President Lewis and Sec
rotary Green will meet with the in
ternational executive board of the
miners tomorrow before Poing to
Washington. where they are to appear
Monday before the presidents com
mission. The hearing in Washington
is called to allow the miners of the
their case to the commission.
John p. White. a member of the
commission, was present at the con-
venton when the vote was taken.
Union Chiefs Pleased.
Union chiefs were happy tonight
over what is regarded as a complete
vindication of their action by the con-
vention The vote came after three
days of debate and stormy wind-up
in which a small but noisy minority
tried to swing the convention in favor
of postponing acceptance of the presi-
dents proposal until after the COM
mission has made its award.
Opponents, falling to block accept
ance OF the settlement made by the
officers, filed charges against Acting
President Lewis and Secretary Green
demanding their removal from office
and suspension as members of the
union for ten years for alleged viola
ton of the instructions 6f the Cleve-
land convention, and "cowardice."
The charges were signed by Joe
Lynol and Thomas +. O'Connor,
Peoria, H., delegates. President
Lewis vacated the chair and turned
the gavel over to ], c, Lewis. presi-
dent of the Iowa miners, when the
charges were brought.
Secretary Green hesitated about
reading them because he was involy-
ed The convention then voted to re-
qnire Lynol, the author of the charges,
to read them. Lynol refused, saying
he was not responsible for the charges
but was instructed by his local union
to present them Green then read the
charges and the convention later. by
an almost unanimous vote, repudiated
the charges by striking them from the
record of the proceedings.
Opponents of the settlement called
for speeches from Frank Harrington.
president of the Illinois miners, and
Alex. Howat, of the Kansas miners.
Harrington arose and tried to obtain
recognition from Secretary Green,
who occupied the chair, after the con-
vention had voted to close debate.
Green ruled him out of order. Howat
did not attempt to speak.
In explaining why he had decided
to accept the presidents proposal of
settlement. Lewis said he had no de-
sire to defeat the United States gov
ernment in a contest"
II shall never lead any organization
but an American organization, Lewis
declared "and If the day ever comes
when this organization is dominated
by people who are false to American
traditions. that day | will cease to be
an officer in It,"
Lewis pointed out that throughout
the forty days strike not a single life
was lost and said he was grateful "be-
cause no widows lamentations or
walls of orphans assail our ears" He
said the organization had emerged
unscathed," whereas continuation of
the strike and revolt against the gov
ernment would have meant disaster
and defeat"
Lewis promised delegates to con-
tinue the fight for their demands for
higher pay and shorter hours and ad-
iustment Of local working conditions
before the presidents commission.