The Sun. [volume] (Price, Utah) 1915-1932, 1920-12-10
UNITED MINE WORKERS
DECLARE FOR FIGHT
TO FINISH
AND WEST VIRGINIA.
THE SEAT OF WAR.

Union Officials Put Out Statement
Defining the Attitud1 C the Coal
Miners - international Board Re
ported to Have Pledged Financial
and Other Aid to Strikers.
INDIANAPOLIS. Ind, Dec. g.
The United Mine Workers of Ameri-
ca plan TO carry on a struggle with the
coal operators of Alabama and Mingo
county, w. Va, "to a finish. - said
statement issued tonight by the union
officials. According TO the statement,
the miners International board has
unanimously adopted its declaration
promising the Alabama and West Vir-
ginin miners "the fun moral and fn-
anciul assistance Of the iri irrational
union" The text Of the declaration,
as adopted by the board, also was
made public. II criticized the West
Virginia governor for calling out fed
eral troops. and asserted that If he
were truthful to his oath Of offre he
would disarm private detectives who,
it was said, are employed by the oper-
ators. Regarding the Alabama situa-
ton, the declaration said cit is ques-
tionable whether the people Of Ar
.menia, whose suffering have shocked
all the world, are in any worse cir
cunstanccs than the oppressed mine
workers Of Alabama. " The text Of the
declaration follows:
Spirits Are Praised.
"The international executive board
is impressed with the spirit Of self
sacrifice displayed by the mine work
ers Of Alabama in their wonderful
fight for the right 10 establish the
principle Of collective bargaining and
compel recognition by the coal oper-
ators Of the award of the United
States bituminous coal commission.
The fnrty-two thousand men. women
and children who are engaged m this
struggle are suffering from the most
intense persecution heapcd upon them
by the arrogant coal operators of that
state. Every conceivable method has
been used against them-eviction
from their homes, foreclosure upon
their household and personal effects,
false arrests and imprisonment. pro-
hibition of the right of nsscmblngc.
denial Of their statutory and cons.i-
tutionnl rights, unwarrntcd use of
state troops in the coal fields, denun.
oialion by ON unfavornble press aud a
most malicious public campaign oi
Misrepresentation have all failed Ia
break their dauntlcss spirit. II ~ In.
deed questionable whether the people
Of Armenia, whose sufferings have
shocked the world, are in any worse
circumstances than are the oppressed
mine workers of Alabama.
Mingo County Similar.
"ln Mingo county, W. Va, strug,
gle of equal importance is being wag
ed. The miners of that territory were
locked out by their employers because
of their desire 10 organize aud upon
their request for the recognition of IN,
principle of collective bargaining
They have waged a most remarkable
struggle against overwhelming odds
despite the innumerable outrages In,
flicted by the private army Of hired
gunner employed by the coal oper,
ators in that region. Many men have
been shot in cold blood by these mod
ern liessians, while in a multiplicity
of instances Others have suffered
from brutal assaults upon their per
sons without having redress in the
law. The governor OF that common
wealth has utterly failed 10 give pro
lection TO these citizens and has dis
played his shameful weakness By re-
Gently calling for the use of fedora
troops in the Mingo county strik,
field. Were he true to his oath of of
flee he would at once exercise IN,
power vested in him as governor OF
West Virginia and compel the Goa
companies 10 disarm the hundreds Of
Baldwin-Felts gunner now employed
by them, who have usurped the polio,
powers of the commonwealth aud ex
eroiso these powers in the interest OF
the coal operators and contrary 10 tn,
welfare Of the citizens of West Vir
lginia.
Can Be No Compromise.
"The international executive boar,
declares that these industrial stuggleI
IN Alabama and West Virginia mus
be continued until the coal operator
recognize the rights of their employees
The principle of human rights recog
lnized by the enlightened public opin
ion of our country il at stake. Their,
can be no compromise of this piinci
pie, The full moral and financial as
sistance of the international union
half a million mine workers, will b,
Iplaoed behind the mine workers oi
] 4 l.L..-.. - ~ H. IL