Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-11-01
STRIKE MIGHT FOLLOW BAN
OPERATORS COUNSEL CLAIM
BEFORE INDIANAPOLIS JUDGE

| Conspiracy to Shu
That "Check-Of
Indianapolis, Ind, Oct. 81.
United Mine Workers of Al
system, by which union mem
miners wages by operators
| enjoined Monday by Federal
his order enjoined all uniol
seeking 'by any and all mes
| coal field in West Virginia,
strike that began more than
porary one, but effective unit
Vain effort was made in court b,
counsel for the union to forestall tn,
decree placing ban on the check off
and though officers withheld commen1
on the court order it was said un
officially to be a staggering blow al
the union. Counsel for operators in
the hearing preceding the order had
said that strike might follow the
levying of a ban ON the CHECK off
After issuance of the order. reports
from Knox county. one big Indiana pro-
duclng center, said that 5000 miners
planned mass meetings to determine
their stand. The. order itself indicated
the possibility of many contracts be-
tween operators and miners being
broken by the ban on the check off"
The only comment on the order from
the miners side was statement by
Ellis Searles. editor of the official pub
injunction was certainly joyful news
for the United States Steel corpora
tion''. which he added. was reputed to
be the largest coal land owner in the
strike zone.
Holds There Is Conspiracy.
In giving his opinion, Judge Ander-
son made it plain that he believed a
conspiracy in violation of Sherman
antitrust law had been shown at the
hearing for the temporary injunction
in the suit of the Borderland Coal
corporation. acting on behalf of three
score other West Virginia operators.
This conspiracy. the court said. exist
tors in the central competitive field
comprising Illinois, Indiana. Ohio, and
western Pennsylvania and that CLOSED
shop" operators of other states were
as involved because of the "check- off .
He added that the trouble in West
Virginia was due to an attempt to
bring the only competitive field into
the combination.
How does this strike the man in
the street, he asked. Here is an
organization with enormous funds. all
of which are collected by the operators
through the check off The poor old
consumer. without friend in the
world. is milked constantly by these
operators and miners. I am going to
stop this check-off now These opera
tors now know that they are furnish
ing the sinews of war for that struggle
in West Virginia.
Order Is Sweeping.
The court order as finally agreed
upon after an all-day discussion of
court and counsel as to the exact text.
prohibited the check and efforts
-oward unionizing the Williamson field
which includes Mingo county, West
Virginia. and Pike county. Ky. 1t did
rot deny the right of workers toi
organize or hold that the union was
IN unlawful organization. 1t also did
lot hold the "checkoff" was in itself !
but was aimed at the use
# money obtained through it.
However. the order was of sweep /
ng nature. applying to every operator i
n the country having agreements for |
he check off, and affecting every ;
lnion miner. After reciting that judge, /
Anderson believed he was compelled to
ssue it on account of the refusal of
John T.. Lewis to cease
fforts toward unionizing the William
on field. the order named several In
lana operators as representatives of
he class of persons, in part, enjoined
v the court.
Language of Decision /
"They are hereby" continued the
rider. referring to operators generally.
restrained from collecting over and
arough their payrOlls or in any man
err. any and all moneys as dues and
levied or charged by the
nited Mine Workers of America. its
fficials or members, upon or against
3 members, employees Of said indi-
duais and OF defendant corporations,
r who may hereafter be employed by
leIu. uttucI luS SuSSN-Okl pIoNlSiUuS VI
he contracts in evidence herein and
aretofore executed by, or on behalf of
lid named defendants and the officials
members Of United Mine Workers Of |,
merica. or under any and all contracts
lat may be hereafter executed by the
lid defendants and the officials or
embers Of the said United Mine
'orkers Of America and from paying /
le same to the officials, members or |,
of the United Mine
'orkers Of America"
Hats Unionixiae Work |
Further the order provided that ''all (
,rsons who now are or hereafter may
. members" Of the union were en-
inel from advising. assisting. en-
'uraeing. aiding abctting or in any
ay or manner and by any and all
cans Whatsoever and especially by
e use Of any funds or moneys howso-
,er collected by the International
Mon. United Mine Workers of Amer I
a, its officers. members. agents or
the unionixation or the !
tempted tlnionixation Of the non-union y
ines in Alineo county, West Virginia. G
a Pike comfy, Kentucky" I"
This trovllon Of the order. however. Y