The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-03-20

cohmttee or the coal operators, and that this pledge shall not be
 binding unless the coal operators,
 committee makes similar agree
 ment In writing to leave the set not be disputed. The men now on strike have organized and by coercive methods sought to compel the oper- atcrs to bargain collectively and in this effort they have failed
 MEANING OF "BARGAIN'
 bargain contemplates the vol untary consent of both parties to the agreement Permanent industrial peace cannot be built on any basis except that of mutual confidence be- tween the employees and the employer. Any organization which Is conducive to such condition is beneficial, and any organization that destroys or tends to destroy, such condition Is a menace to our industrial peace and to our people.
 l No reputable statesman advocates or ganization for the purpose of striking without a grievance and for the pur. pose of coercing an employer to meet the arbitrary demands of those in charge or the organization. For what grievance was the present strike called? The facts show none save the failure to recognize the union. Was that sufficient ground 10 Justify an organization to strike and | to follow course and create a condi- ton, which resulted in the commission or many crimes, the mourning of large expense by the state to uphold it's laws, and untold financial damage to the coal | industry? A short review of the undis- puted facts will disclose the answer.
 STRIKE FAILED
 Tn November, 1919, a strike was called | tad Iir1A This strike was declared by President Wilson as illegal and immoral, and it failed. In April. 1920, the bituminous coal commission fixed scale of wages to expire March 31, 1922. These wages were put into effect by the coal opera tors. Without notice of grievance many of the members of the union to enforce recognition struck.
 With the consent of union officials several of the companies negotiated with | their employees what is known as the ruby contract. to expire March Sl, 1922 | While this contract was in force, and without any grievance as to its violation by the operators. the United Mine Work CTS of America called the men out on q general strike, effective September 2. 1920.
 NO CAUSE FOR STRIKE This strike, being called without just cause or for the purpose or
 remedying any grievance, and in de- liberate violation of agreement, was illegal and immoral It proves | beyond cavil that the written con-
 tract or obligation of the United Mine Workers of America cannot be relied on. and that recognition would give no assurance of industrial peace. It is rather difficult to understand how
 such large number of men could
 be induced so deliberately to disre-
 gard such an obligation of honor.
 The only explanation, perhaps, lies in the fact that from 70 to 80 per
 cent of the miners are negroes The
 southern negro is easily misled. es- pecially when given a prominent and
 official place in an organization In
 which both races are members. Ne
 groes from other sections were inn
 ported into the state for the purpose of influencing and directing the col
 ored miners. The colored miners were
 undoubtedly deceived and led into this violation of their agreement by lead
 CTS from other sections. MT. Bittner
 well says in his brief the essence o.
 success in collective bargaining lies
 in the fidelity of both sides to the agreement thereby announcing
 truth which seems to have been en- tirely forgotten or ignored by the or ganization of which he is chief rep resentative.
 OTHER REASONS
 There are other reasons shown by the facts why the operators should not be compelled to recognize this organization. It counseled and directed the violation of the laws of Alabama by the adoption Of resolutions directing picketing, which IS prohibited by statute.
 Its leaders have striven to break down the confidence men have in their employers, instead of cementing it; and they have opposed all welfare work instl- tuted by the employers for the penelit of the employees, because 1t tended 10 draw the employer and employe into closer relations. No permanent indus trial relation can be built on an increas- ing suspicion between employer and em- ployes, and any person or organization that seeks to create such hostility IS en- gagged in an illegal and immoral york; and is a menace to industrial peace. ARBITRATION
 '.It is suggested that some system ct arbitration be set up to adjust future m dustrial disputes. In the first place VI | is impracticable to do this. as each mine now operated has an agreement with | it's employees which amply and fairly pro vides an industrial relations committed or other machinery for the adjustment of grievances.
 "At some mines the employees reiuseo an industrial committee to adjust griev- ances, desiring to take such matters up as had been their custom. personally with the boss.'' Each system in use seems fair and well adapted to the pc cular local conditions. l am convinced, after study of the methods employed that they are better adapted to the conditions obtaining at the various oper' ations than any plan which might sug- gest for universal use.
 UNEMPLOYMENT OF MEN
 This brings us to the last and most important consideration. the re-employ- ment of the men on strike. The union representative asserts that these mel must be provided for.
 The operators have replaced these men, Coal production Is now greater than the demand There are no jobs for the great majority of the strikers. Only one suggestion for securing jobs for item has been made. and that Is that all