Evening star., 1921-10-02
MINERS VOTE DELAY
y IN WAGE DEMANDS
Support Lewis Advice Not
to Disclose Terms Six
Months in Advance.
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
INDIANAPOLIS, October Post
ponement until next February in the
framing of coal miners' wage demands
was voted today by the convention Of
the United Mine Workers of America
In doing so. the delegates overwaelm-
ingly approved the recommendation Of
President John L. Lewis, who urged
the delay so as not to disclose the
expiration Of present agreements with
operators.
Although there was no discussion of
new; demands. the delegates indicated
they favored strike. II necessary, to
ot}a11 inSresses, for they also approved
tue r1past cf Vice President Murray, In
watch he declared in favor Of fighting
for Improvement Of contracts in both
anthracite and bituminous fields that
expire next March 81.
Alarmed By Reports.
Apparently alarmed by private advices
from the West Virginia strike zone, the
delegates also directed that an appeal
be made to President Harding for the
protection of 1873 miners. who are pris-
oners in the Logan and Williamson
county jails. President Lewis appointed
a c.mmittee to call at the White House
next week, and in doing this he de-
clared "there is ample reason to believe
the lives of President c. F. Keeney Of
the West Virginia district and Secre-
tary Fred Mooney and others are In
Jeopardy" Keeney and Mooney are
among those held on murder charges.
1--WE want to prevent any massacre
of these men in the West Virginia
jails," declared Lewis.
Say Sheriff Threatens.
While the exact nature of the West
Virginia reports was withheld. it was
learned that q letter had been re-
ceived from Mr.. Mooney. Interna-
tional officers also said the prisoners
at Williamson had become fearful be-
cause Sheriff Don Chain, Logan
county sheriff. visited the Mingo
county Jail and threatened the prison.
ers. The committee to call on Presi-
dent Harding is composed of J. B.
Virgins of Spriggs. w. Va: F. c.
Hughes of Clifford. Ills, and E. J.
Giles of Charlton, Iowa.
In addition. the convention went
on record as opposing wage reduc-
tions by pledging the unions financial
support to Colorado and Washington
miners, now idle after refusing to
accept the reductions. Further the
delegates voted to raise approximately
s1,5o0,OO0 by special assessment Of
members of the union, but in doing
so did not specify any purpose for
using the money
Net Cash., $4S7,0 900.
The action in levying the assess
ment was taken after approving the
report of William Green, secretary
treasurer, which showed the unions
net available cash to be $487. 200.
Wage increases obtained after the
soft coal. strike two years ago were
ABOUT hhlA do 1dA 80 10 0oAOO W SAAS
miners, who also demanded six
hour day and five-day week.
Besides it's action on the West Vir-
ginia situation end the wage ques-'
tfon, the, convention authorized test
case of the Kansas industrial court
act being prosecuted to the Supreme
Court.
The attack on the Kansas Industrial
court probably will be, by, a ssott to
enjoin enforcement of the law Great
ing 1t. Mr.. Lewis, told the delegates
that effort would be made to have In
SSrnational and Kansas district off,
cials agree on case. He said he
expected Kansas state officials Mould
be willing to expedite action. Kansas
union officials. he said, had repulsed
efforts Of the international foficers
to get an agreement for mutual
action.
+ Mr.. Lewis added that legal attacks
made by Alexander Howat, the Kan
sas miners leader. had been from
the wrong angle" and failed to raise.
vital iSRlIea.s-~ r. y - s-..s,s s