New-York tribune., 1921-05-18
Miners Laying
Plans to Fight
Spring Pay Cut.
Lewis and Union Chiefs Here
Consolidating Forces So
Nationwide 1ie-Up Can
Be Called IL Necessary
Action Termed Strategic
Anthracite Mem 10 Delay
Scale Farley Until After
international Meetin g

John l.. Lewis, president Of ths
United Mine Workers of America, in
conjunction with other union leaders
from the anthracite coal regions, made
the first move yesterday in a plan to
resist any wage reductions the coal
operators may attempt to put in force
at the expiration of the present agree
ment on March 81. 1922.
Mr.. Lewis declared emphatically that
the mine workers would accept no
modification whatever. of the existing
wage scale and, while nc intimation
has thus far come from TIE operators
of any proposed cuts, he indicated the
union forces were preparing for such
an eventuality. Following confer
ence at the Hotel Continental, Lewis
announced that the Anthracite Tri-
District Convention, usually held in
August for the purpose of formulating
wage demands and policies, would this
year be postponed until after the In,
ternational Convention of the United
Mine Workers at indianapolis on Sep
tember 20.
This fact is significant as indicating
that the anthracite workers will join
forces with the bituminous miners in
formulating policies to govern nego-
tlations of new wage agreements with
the operators. The bituminous work
ers usually frame their wage pro-
posals at the international convention.
Mr.. Lewis explained that under this
arrangement the Indianapolis conven-
ticn would outline the general policies
governing both wings of the mine
workers in their negotiations and tbs
extent and method of cooperation. TTe
said date would be fixed after tae
convention when the tri-
district meeting of the anthracite
miners would complete their demands
Under the circumstances, it was
pointed out, the new arrangement car
rles the menace of a general mine tie
up Ia the event of strike.
This is q strategic move in the in
terests Of harmony and cooperation. =
said, Thomas Kennedy, of Hazieton, Pa.
president of District z, U. NJ. w. of A.,
and chairman of the ri-district execu-
tive board. "Under this arrangement
however, the autonomy of the anthra-
cite organization is guaranteed, and we
will continue to negotiate cur own
wage scales. The convention will de-
eide as to how far we shall be able to
go IN support OF each other in the nego-
tiations with the operators this fall"
IL was further pointed out that under
the new arrangement the bituminous
miners would set the pace in the mat
ter Of demands instead of the hard coal
workers, whose conventions usually
preceded the national convention.
"To-day's conference developed the
fact" said Mr.. Lewis in formal state.
ment, chat the United Mine Workers
Organization in the, anthracite fields is
in a most satisfactory condition. It's
numerical strength in those fields. is
greater than ever. and more influesuiS vi
than ssyeif in the history Of the hard
coal fields .sia4,suA
Mr.. Kennedy said the membership Of
the miners orga nization at the present
time in the hard coal regions was ap-
proXinateiy 10000, which, with the
bituminous workers, brought the total
in the national body up to approximate
ly 100000