Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-07-31

dent Wilson's message in full, concluded
with the following mandatory order:
'In consideration of the request of
the president, as contained In the fore
going, and acting in accordance with
the authority vested in me as pfesi-
dent of the United Mine Workers,
herewith order and direct all mem
bers Of our organization who may be
idle or on strike contrary to the pro-
visions of the interstate joint agree
ment, 70 Immediately return to their
employment and permit the normal
operation of the mines.
Meetings Of your local unions
should be Immediately convened and
action taken to comply with this
order without further delay.
'The presidents telegram empha-
sizes the grave responsibility which
devolves upon every member Of our
organization to conform to proper
procedure within our union and to
discharge their obligations to organ
lied society.
''It furthermore provides a way to
secure consideration Of the inequali-
ties in the basic interstate wage
agreement The word Of the presi-
dent is pledged that a Joint wage
conference will be reconvened when
our membership demonstrates their
good faith in keeping their contract.
1T is, therefore. apparent that i'm
mediate compliance with this order
by our membership will expediate
the disposition Of the questions at
issue. 1 earnestly hope that our
membership viii thus demonstrate the
integrity OF our union and the sac
redness Of our obligation"
RELIEVES ORDER
WILL BE OBEYED.
Mr.. Lewis said he had nothing TO add
to the return-to-work order.
Confidence was expressed, however, that
the order would be obeyed BIZ the miners.
Mr.. Lewis telegraphed President Will
son an acknowledgment Of the receipt Of
his message and declared that he was
impressed with the fairness of the presi-
dents suggestions.
He informed the president he had or
dered all striking miners to return 10
work.
From the construction put on the VIII
son telegram IL is evident the United
Mine Workers officials will make every
effort to have the striking miners re-
turn TO work and thus obtain a moral
right to the reopening Of the wage award
by the presidents special commissioners.
While the international officials do
not agree with the Harrington method
OF trying to obtain more pay for day
and monthly men, they say the differ
ential existing between this class OF
labor and other mine labor, machine min
ing and loading, for example, is unjust
and should be remedied.
ORDER FOREsTALLS
CONFERENCE NEED.
The return to work order Of Presi-
dent Lewis to the striking miners will,
1t is said, obviste any need of Immediate
conference between mine officials aud
the operators Of the central competitive
field.
1t has been pointed out that the oper-
atorS took the position that the strikers
had violated their agreement and the
first thing to do WAS for them to return
TO work.
Whether the operators win agree to a
reopening of the wage conference remains
to be seen.
President Wilson emphasized the ne 4
cesssity of the miners sticking to tn \
award, and said before it could be rel
opened 1t would be necessary for al
strikers 20 return to work
President Lewis said he was pr
foundly impressed" by the Wilson tel Is
gram and the fairness of its statement H.
the case.
He said that up to this time the
nois miners had not asked the interBP
tlonal officials to enforce the validity OF
the wage agreement In that state.
The miners chief said compliance with
the orders of President Wilson would
pave the way for the calling Of a subse-
quent wage conference and that he in
tended Immediately to issue orders 6@E
the men TO return to work.
STATEMENT OF
PRESIDENT LEWIS.
In a statement given ont to the press
President Lewis said:
am profoundly impressed by the
presidents telegram. The fairness Of
his statement must be apparent to
every one with respect for constituted
authority or the least regard for the
public veal. The suggestions of the
president will be approved by every
right thinking and loyal member Of
the United Mine Workers of America
and will be construed as a stinging
rebuke to men of the type of Frank
Harrington president of the Illinois
maliciously melted men to disregard
their contract obligations to the detri-
ment Of themselves and the incon-
venience of the nation. Public castl-
Continued on Page Two)