The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-09-20
LEWIS ADDRESSES UNITED
MINERS AT CONVENTION
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ceedings be instituted to make a full
test of the constitutionality # the
Kansas industrial court law.
In discussing the wage question,
Mr.. Lewis said, coal operators in
Pennsylvania. Washington. Iowa, Kan
sas. Colorado. West Virginia. Ken
lucky. Tennessee. Alabama. Oklahoma,
Texas Arkansas and Missouri had fiji.
cd demands for reductions, hut that
the union's policy was uncompromis-
ingly for carrying out the present
agreement, which he said was predl-
Gated on the award of the bituminous
coal commission. functioning under
governmental authority
Explains Unions Policy
"Our people were employed only
two days a week On the average" con-
tinued Mr. Lewis in explanation of
the unions policy and they found ii
extremely difficult TO provide them
selves with food and other necessities,
Furthermore, it is a fact that the
wages now paid in the organized sec
tion of the mining country are but
relatively fair, Coal can be produce
ed under the prcsen, wage scale at
a labor cost that corresponds favor
bly, with production costs of other
essential commodities.
Mr.. Lewis declared that the miners
i'm the states where wage reductions
had been asked by operators We're sup
porting the unions policy opposing
any modification of the present agree
ment. and he added
This policy must be continued and
the resources of the union made
available for its application, The pres
ent wage agreement TO which the
government is party must remain
intact and we will expect that the in
fluence Of the federal government,
will be exercised to preserve its in
tegrity. In recommending that the
wage question be referred u scale
committee, Mr.. Lewis proposed that
the convention reconvene next We'd
nesday TO receive the committees re-
port and adopt definite demands. He
demands now for such action would
give the operators six months to pre-
pare fight His recommendation ap-
piled specifically to the wage de-
mands for bituminous coal miners, but
was. regarded as applicable to the an
thracite miners, who make separate
demands and have separate negotia'
tiOns with the operators.
Other Important Regulations
Two other important regulations by
Mr. Lewis centered about nationa4za-
ton of the mines and the test OF
the Kansas industrial court law. He
recommended that the conventions
name committee Of three for fur
ther study Of government ownership
Of the mines.
Title to the coal, he said is vested
with the several states and regula-
tory statutes may not be enacted by
the United States congress. Mr.. Lewis
also said il was extremely doubt
fur whether the public would at pres
ent be willing TO bear more taxes for
the federal government to acquire H.
tie To the coal lands.
Recommending test of the Kansas
industrial court act, Mr.. Lewis de-
clared that it violates the federal con-
stitution and was without question
most vicious attack upon the rights
OF organized workers"
In a long review Of the West Vir.
ginia situation. Mr.. Lewis express
hope that the senate investigating
committee would be Instrumental in
laying bare the horrors # that field
and in paving the way for recognition
Of the right Of the mine workers who
desire to become members Of the Unit
cd Mine Workers"
industrial peace will never come
To this tented area" declared Mr.. Lew.
IL, until the miners Of that field
are accorded the same privileges and
opportunities as exist in the organized
sections of America and which are
their rightful heritage. The fight In
Mlngo county must be won. There
can he no compromise of the prncl'
pies involved. The souls Of our dead
members who have died In this con
flict, will protest any other course