South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-09-24
WILL ENJOIN
PROGRAMS or
UNION HEADS
Operators Ask Court to Pre-
vent Organization of Men
in Non-UniOn Mine.
CONTINUED from page one)

T
Mine Workers OF America were
called on Friday by Prest John l.
Lewis 10 take action in two Kansas
strike cases that ne said would de-
clare the union holds its men 10 the
fulhllment OF their contracts with
operators.
As soon as he concluded a long.
insistent plea for the conventions
declaration, MIR. 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 10 restrain
the union in its efforts 70 organize
the Mingo county CWest Virginia)
field. Then turning again 10 the
500 delegates 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
organization and do not fulfill our
contracts"
Dramatic Close.
The statement brought a dramatic
close to the convention. which had
been the stage all day for clashes
between supporters OF Pres't Lewis
and the INSTRUMENTATION element,
! led first by Frank Harrington of the
Illinois miners and later by AlexanG-
er Howat of the Kansas miners.
In the first clash. the convention
voted overwhelmingly for the adop-
ton OF Lewis recommendation, re-
quiring the Illinois officials 10 give
an itemized accounting for 1000
spent in an unauthorized strike two
years ago.
Out of this fight into another was
the conventions course, for il then
began consideration of Lewis rec
ommendation that Howat be ordered
| by the convention to carry out the
/ order OF the international officers
dire ting Kansas strikers to return
TO work. Howat. first to address the
convention, won protracted applause
and when Lewis sought to reply had
some difficulty at first. due TO inter-
ruptions by some delegates.
Accuses Officers.
In his speech Howat accused SUI
Lerior officers OF unjust actions. as
sorting that Pres't Lewis had lined
up with The operators in opposition
to the men and that to follow out
the orders Of tho international Off
GERS would mean a change in work
| ing conditions ana contrary 10 con-
tracts with operators.
Il will suffer to be kicked out Of
Office. and out of this organization,
| declared Howat. before 1 Will agree
to give away anything Of the Kansas
miners"
Replying, Mr.. Lewis said he re-
scented the implication that ne was
| in sympathy with the operators and
he declared that the Kansas con-
tracts provided for continued opera
ton pending settlement of disputes.
The worst criticism of the union. he
continued, was that we are violat-
ors Of the obligations of our con-
/ tracts"
Warns Members.
whenever the time comes" add
ed Mr.. Lewis, that the United Mine
Workers will not abide by their
| agreements. you will find nobody to
deal with you in business way and
the contracts will be scraps of pa
per"
The international officers, he said,
insisted that the Kansas disputes be
settled while operation of the mines
continued because the contracts were
guaranteed by the international
union, and for the convention to fail
to sustain the officers would lead
/ the public to say the union is with
out honor and its officers are public
\ falsihers."
A vote by the convention went
over until Saturday. several dele
gates wishing TO speak. A break in
/ the Kansas delegation was intimat-
! ed by Lewis, who said some of them
may speak in opposition TO Howats
/ position.