Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-09-20
MINERS MUST FIGHT
WAGE REDUCTIONS
LEWIS TELLS THEM
Continued from page 1.


IMingo county, West Virginia. must be
Won"
A recommendation that legal pro-
ceedings be instituted TO nake fun
text OF the constitutionality OF the
Kansas Industrial Court Law.
In discussing the wage question. Mr..
Lewis said coal operators in Pennsyl-
vania, Washington. Iowa. Kansas.
Colorado. West Virginia. Kentucky,
Tennessee, Alabama, Oklahoma. Texas.
Arkansas and Missouri had filed de-
mands for reductions. but that the
unions policy was uncompromisingly
for carrying out the present agree
ment which he said was predicated on
the award OF the Bituminous coal COM
mission functioning under govern
mental authority
Two Days Work Week.
"our people We're employed only two
days a week ON the average" continu-
ed Mr.. Lewis In explanation of the
unions policy. "and they found il ex-
tremely difficult to provide themselves
with food and other necessities. Fur
thermore it is a fact that the wages
now paid in the organized sections of
the mining industry are but relatively
fair. Coal can be produced under tha
present wage scale at a labor cost that
corresponds favorably with production
costs of other essential commodities"
In recommending that the wage
question be referred 10 scale conf
mittee, Mr.. Lewis proposed that the
convention reconvene next February
to receive the committees report and
adopt definite demands. His recon-
mendations applied specifically to the
wage demands for bituminous coal
miners, but was regarded as applicable
TO the anthracite miners who have
separate negotiations with the opera
tors.
Presses Government Ownership.
In discussing the naturalization OF
the mines and the test of the Kansas
Industrial Court law, he recommended
that the convention name a committed
of three for further study of govern
ment ownership of the mines. after
reaffirming the 1914 declaration In
favor of naturalization. Mr.. Lewis
also said it was extremely doubtful
whether the public would at present
be. willing 10 bear more taxes for thC
federal government acquiring title Z,
, the coal lands. Recommending tn,
test of the Kansas industrial cour
act, Mr.. Lewis declared that il VIC
, lates the federal constitution and wa
without question a most vicious at
tack upon the rights Of organize,
I workers"
"Mingo Fight Must BE Won.-
o In long review of the West vir
[ ginia situation, Mr.. Lewis espresso
o hope that the Senate investigation
committee would be instrumental j
e laying bare the horrors of that iiel
= and IN paving the way for recognitio
of the rights of the mine workers VIII
e desire to become members Of tn
e United Mine Workers"
1 industrial peace will never come I
IL this tented area declared Mr.. Levi.
= until the miners of that field are aC
corded the same privileges and or
portunities as exist in the organize
sections of America and which ar
their rightful heritage. The fight i
Mingo county must be won."
Blames ~Scheming Politicians"
Referring TO the differences betwee
; international and subordinate officer
tof the union, Harlin and Farringto
I were said by Lewis TO be "schemin
Y politicians" He charged that the
d circulated false propaganda" regart
e ing the unions finances. Howat's cor
g. duct was said by Lewis TO have bee
reprehensible and Lewis declared thu
: the union must regulate its own affair
e in order to exercise any great infiuenC
e in the nations affairs.
o The criticism of Harlin and Earring
: ton came in connection with the recer
Alabama strike. Mr.. Lewis read
:, telegram he said Harlin sent broadca.
! in Alabama which purported TO T,
peat a message from Harrington. a:
serting that union organizers were.eI
gagged in campaign work for Lewis ar
n other candidates for reelection ar
complaining against such alleged e,
- penditures while striking miners
= West Virginia and Alabama are or!
q ing for bread which can not be fu
IS nished them because the information
e union is bankrupt"
e Was Spending $4,000 Weekly.
2 "At the time this telegram was ser
the international union was furnish
ing $4,000 a week TO the Alaban
miners for food alone. besides spen