The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-09-24
ATTEMPT TO ENJOTN
MINERS ORGANIZING
Served With Federal Court Sum.
mons to Prevent Organiza-
tiOn in Mingo.
ley The AssoeIatsd Pressl

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, Sept. 2s--
Delegates to the convention of the
United Mine Workers of America
were called on by President John l..
Lewis to take action in two Kansas
strike cases that he said would de-
clare the union holds its men to the
fulfllment of their contracts with
operators.
AS soon as he concluded a long,
insistent plea for the conventions
declaration, Mr.. Lewis was served
with a federal court summons show
ing that while he had been speaking
the Borderland Coal Company had
sued for an injunction to restrain the
union in its efforts to organize the
Mingo county. West Virginia, field
Then turning again to the 1900 dele
gates, Lewis explained the suit and
added:
1T is rather a coincidence that the
company bases its plea on the alleged
fact that we are an unlawful organiza-
tion and do not fulfill our contracts"
The statement brought a dramatic
close to the convention which had been
the stage all day for clashes between
supporters of President Lewis and
the ti-adminfstration element led
first by Frank harrington, Of the Illi-
nois miners, and later by Alexander
Howat, of the Kansas miners. In the
first clash the convention voted over
whelmingly for the adoption Of Lewis
recommendation, requiring the Illinois
officials to give an ftemized account
ing for $4,000 spent in an unauthor-
lied strike two years ago.
Out of this fight into another was
the conventions course, for It then
began consideration of Lewis recon-
mendation that Howat be ordered by
the convention to carry out the order
Of the international officers directing
Kansas strikers to return to work.
Howat, first to address the convention
won protracted applause and when
Lewis sought to reply he had some /
at first, due to interruptions
by some delegates.
In his speech, Howat accused su-
perior officers Of unjust actions, as |
serting that President Lewis had |
lined up with the operators" in op- !
position to the men and to follow out !
the orders Of the international officers
would mean a change in working con-
1itions and contrary to contract with /
operators.
81 viii suffer to be kicked out Of
office and out OF this organization" !
declared Howat, before I viii agree I
% give away anything Of the Kansas
miners"
Replying. Mr.. Lewis said he resent
"a the implication that he was in
with the operators, and he
declared that the Kansas contracts
provided for continued operation Of
he mines pending settlement Of dis
outes. The worst criticism Of the
continued. was that I'VE are violators
# the obligations of our contracts"
Whenever the time comes" added
fr. Lewis. ''that the United Mine
win not abide by their agree Y
nents, you will find nobody to deal +
With you in a business way and the
contracts will be scraps of paper"
The international officers. ne said,
insisted that the Kansas disputes he
ettled while operation Of the mines
continued because the contracts were
guaranteed by the international union
nd for the convention to fail to sus-
ain the officers would lead the pub
ic to say the union is without honor
nd its officers -re public falsifers"
A vote by the convention went over
IntiI tomorrow. several delegates
to speak. A break in the
Kansas delegation was intimated by
lewis, who said some Of them may
peak in opposition to Howat's posi-
ion.