South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-09-02
LEWIS CALLS
COAL STRIKE
In ALABAMA
Failure of Operators to Com.
ply With Wage Commits
sion Award is Reason.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, Sept. L.
John l. Lewis. president Of the
United Mine Workers OF America.
late Wednesday issued an order for
a general strike in the Luminous
coal fields in Alabama. The order
followed a report made by the or
ganization committee OF the Inter-
national Executive board.
The report declared the coal op-
orators had failed 10 put into effect
the awards OF Pres't Wilson's oCal
commission of last March IL said
the miners were working for
wages less than those specified by
the commission, and declared
every attempt 10 arrange a confer
ence with the coal operators had
failed.
Notified of Strike.
John Kenmamar, pr sident Of
disctrict number 20 Of the mine
ham. was notified OF the strike
order by telegraph. Numerous
mlnos ia the Alabama field have
been idle because Of the alleged
refusal of the operators to accept
the findings OF the coal commits
sion.
Pres't Lewis telegram to Mr..
Kennamer in part. follows:
The organization committee of
the internatio executive board
who recently visited Ala bama and
the executive offices of the interna-
tional union at meeting at head
quarters Wednesday gave the FULL
est consideration 10 the unsatisfac-
tory conditions prevailing in the
mining industry in the state of AL
ALBANIA.
we realize that ever since the
award CT the presidents bitumin-
Gus coal commission was rendered
in the month Of Manch that Ala
bana mine workers have been
struggling TO secure the improve
ments allotted by the commission.
Award Rejected.
The Alabama coal operators
have persistently refused TO pOt in
to effect the provisions of the award
Of the presidents commission. This
attitude il maintained despite the
fact that the honorable commission
ers appointed by the president spe-
officially set forth in their report
that the Alabama operators should
meet in joint conference with the
representatives OF the mine work
ers in that state TO put into effect
the award therein recommended 10
the end that iBdustr'al peace and
tranquility might prevail.
This action has never been tax
en- because Of the arbitrary and un-
warrented refusal Of the coal opera
tor to meet 0r treat i'm any manner
with the representa- tives OF the or
ganized mine workers Of Alabama
Every attempt Of representatives Of
the district and international unions
10 arrange such a conference has
been repulsed.
"In the meantime. thousands Of
the mine workers Of that state have
been compelled 20 labor for wages
materially less than those specifi-
ed in the award Of the commission
and have been deprived of any op-
pOrtunity Of an adjustment Of their
many grievances through the crea-
tion Of machinery for such purpose.
as stipulated by the presidents
commission.
we cannot believe that the pub
lie conscience OF the nation. Of the
citizenship Of this great common
wealth OF Alabama, will Justify or
condOne such a state OF affairs. The
principle OF collective bargaining
is endorsed by the people Of our
land and should by every moral
prcCept be recognized by the Alaba-
ma coal operators. IL is highly
essential that a basis Of common
understanding within the coal in
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