The New York herald., 1921-09-25
"Asninst An Unions Activities.v


"Agninst All Unions Activities"
Samuel Gompers, president OF the
American Federation Of Labor, who adj
dressed the convention. said the injunc-
tion. if granted. would enjoin an activ-
tiles of the miners union Turning to
Lewis. he added:
"John. in defense OF that principle.
would like to visit you in jail
The delegates shouted their approval.
and Lewis arose. declaring:
Il have every expectation that Mr..
Gompers will be accorded that privilege"
Green. who interjected comment on
the various charges, read a condensed
statement on the suit. Besides the union
and its officials. it names several Indiana
coal companies having contracts with
the union as defendants the apparent
purpose being 70 strike down the wage
contracts and the "check-on' system. by
which operators withhold dues from the
wages of miners. Referring to the suit,
Green said
TT is a matter Of grave Importance.
II strikes at the very heart and soul of
our union. 1t is the most dangerous
charge ever made against our organiza-
ton, ard If the injunction is granted. 1t
Will be the most far-reaching in it's
scope ever granted against the United
Mine Workers of America"
Green's first interruption Of his read
Ing Of the suit was to emphasize the
allegation OF the suit that the miners
organization has become unlawful per
Sc and Is violating the Sherman and
Clayton laws and the Federal Constitu-
ton.
This says we are unlawful. without
the pale OF the law" commented Green.
Rotten" shouted a delegate who was
silenced BY Lewis's rapping for order.
Then. reading the attack on the check
Off system, Green declared:
This is as broad as the universe and
as comprehensive as eternity"
lie completed his reading OF the
charges and. remarked that "a most
sweeping injunction" was sought against
tie union.
I'VE have complained against gov
ernmont by injunction he continued.
and we have thought that the courts
have gone further than we dreamed
they would go. further even than the law
and the Constitution"
Green added that the issuance or the
Injunction would astorish him. and he
pointed out that The injunction. IL
granted. would be of general application
everywhere In the United states.
-, Suppose the injunction Is granted"
said Green. "what Will happen? God
only knows. I don't
Held for Unauthorized strike.
Green added that II was significant
that the miners union had been held re-
sponsible for unlawful acts committed
In an unauthorized strike in Arkansas.
lie referred To the Coronado case now
on appeal in the United states Supreme
Court Further. Green said X was sig
nificant that the new suit had been filed
before Judge A. Il. Anderson in the
United States District Court for Indiana
Il don't know what viii take place"
continued Green, but / am fearful.
feel this matter overshadows most
everything else that has happened re-
Gently"
During his speech Green had referred
70 a Senate investigating committee
having been told that the union was an
unlawful odrganization. At the request
of several delegates Green later an
rounced that the testimony had been
given by Thomas !. Lewis, formerly in
ternational president. Kisses greeted
the announcement of Lewis's name.
Lewis is now secretary OF the Northern
West Virginia Coal Operators Associa-
ton
The consideration n the suit and 4
speech by Gompers occupied All the
morning session This delayed tho con-
vcntion. renewing debate On the two
Kansas strike cases. In which Lewis
has asked the delegates to take action
which he said would show the country
that the miners union holds It's men
20 their contract obligations Lewis 8
rScAy.nendations, opposed by Alexander
Ifowat, head Of the Kansas miners, was
that the convention direct Howat TO
order the strikers back 10 work
The whole labor movement, Gompors
said Is confronted with the open shop
drive, which. he asserted. was "inaugu-
rated by the vested interests, greedy en-
ployers and prohteers"
Coal operators, Gompers said. wished
to spar with the union miners, 50 as 70
nanmuvre strike with the onus placed
on the union. He added that ne had
advised labor TO resist wage reductions.
1T Is better TO resist and lose than
cot TO resist at ALL" declared Gompers.
Gompers said responsibility for the
awful conditions" In the West Virginia
strike zone was with the operators, who,
he charged. had taken gunmcn into the
district. He also attacked the Kansas
Industrial Court law rs imposing In
voluntary servitudo" on workers. and
predicted Il wouhl soon be wiped OF
the statute books" In closing he urge I
workers everywhere 70 join In the ArrniH
-.