Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-09-20

Alabama, Lewis took occasion to ad-
minister sharp and cutting criticism to
Rot ert H Harlin of Washington. and
Frank harrington, president of the Iii
nois miners. He said that at a critical
time in the strike, when the Alabama
miners were fighting with their backs to
the wall; when the international organi-
cation was spending $4,000 week for
relief Of the miners and their families,
and had, up to this time, expended a
total Of 50 ZOO, 900 for that purpose The
miners were "treacherously knitted in the
back by the vicious, false propa ganda
which certain scheming politicians in our
organization sent into this State"
SAYS MINGO FIGHT
MUST BE WON.
Lewis discussed at length the recent
strike and other troubles in the Mingo
County district OF West Virginia. He
said:
We sincerely hope that the work of
the Senatorial Commission viii he in
strImental in laying bare the horrors of
that field and in paving the way for the
recognition of the rights of the nine
workers who desire 10 become members
of the United Mine Workers of America.
Industrial peace will never come to this
tented area until the miners Of that
field are accorded the same privileges
and opportunities as exist in the organ
lied sections of America, and which are
their rightful heritage. The fight IN
Mingo County must be won. There can
be no compromise Of the principles in
volved. The souls of our dead mem bars
who have died in this conflict will pro-
test any other course, and on this &C
casion let US highly resolve to carry on ="
Lewis made an exhaustive report OF the
wage negotiations of 1919, the general
strike which resulted, the action Of the
Bituminous Coal Commission. the injunc-
ton issued by the Federal Court at In
dianapolis, and the indictment OF miners
and operators on charge of conspiracy
He also detailed the wage negotiations
in the anthracite field and the decision
Of the Anthracite Coal Commission
TWO WAGE AGREEMENTS
EXPIRE SAME DATE.
Attention was called to the fact that
as A result of the action of the Govern
ment in both of these cases. the bitumi-
nous wage agreement and the anthracite
wage agreement both will expire On the
same date, March 81, 1922, and Lewis
made the following significant statement:
1t will be noted that for the first
time in the history of this organization
there is a uniform date of expiration af-
fecting all agreements in both the an
thracite and bituminous industry. This
is a goal long hoped for by the great
majority Of our membership. and its
practical consummation may be regarded
as an achievement Of no mean conse-
quence. The full influence and economic
power Of our great membership may thus
sD utilized to the advantage Of our peo-
pie for the achievement of our IDEALS"
In conclusion Lewis said:
Wv lille other powerful trade union or
CARNATIONS have been compelled to ac-
cOmmodate themselves to the pressure Of
economic conditions. our union has I'M
fiinchingly held its lines Of battle, and
our forces everywhere are intact. Our
ranks have withstood the tremendous as
sault of wave after wave Of TIE attack
ing enemy. We have refused to retreat,
and despite the drum fire of adverse
criticism leveled at our union. no wage
reductions have been taken, and it is our
high purpose to continue this policy
Although certain other trade organiza-
tions, with their strength dimini shed by
circumstances, have been wrecked upon
the shoals of adversely, the report Of the
international secretary treasurer will
show the highest average paid-up mem
berShip In the history of our organiza-
ton"