Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-09-27
MINERS PROTEST
INJUNCTION SUIT

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, Sept. "a
Every lawful resistance to an in
junction suit, which was said official
ly to strike at the, very heart and
soul" Of the mine workers union,
was pledged today by an almost
unanimous vote Of the 1,50o dele.
gates attending the convention. of
United Mine Workers of America.
The action was taken after Presi-
dent John l.. Lewis had ruled out of
order delegates who wished to pre-
sent motions for a general strike or
delegates might go home to prepare
our fighting lines"
William Green, international Sec
rotary, told the convention that
suit filed in the federal court here
and Kentucky operators to prevent
unAonization of those fields, sought to
have the union to be held an unlawful
organization. Apparently he regard
ed the suit as a step toward an eff
has contracts with operators cover
ing Is per cent of the coal mined in
the United States. The attack on the
legality of the union, he said, was
the most dangerous charge ever made
against it, and he pointed out that
the injunction, If granted as sought,
| would nullify wage agreements and
the unions system of collecting MEM
EerS' dues. ,.
"It is as broad as the universe,
declared Mr.: Green, referring to the
injunction plea.
| Later Samuel Gompers, president
Of the American Federation of Labor,
mated the suit sought an injunction
| imposing. on the rights of citizens,
and turning to President Lewis, who
heads the list of defendants in the
suit, saying.
II have every expectation that Mr..
Gompers will be accorded that priVi-
lege," answered Lewis.
Mr.. Green, in his, comment, declar-
ed it was significant that the suit,
which the defendants, must answer
on october 10, had been filed in
Judge A. B.. Anderson's court, and
he added that he was fearful of the
result: Later in the day, John H.
Walker, president of the Illinois Fed
GRAFTON of Labor, attacked Judge An
derson, asserting that in issuing in
functions the judge does not follow
the letter of the law, but what has
been called the spirit of the law.
Discussion of the suit and Mr.. Com
pers' speech delayed convention work
and 1t was late in the afternoon when
the delegates got back to the debate
Kansas strike cases. In these cases
the Observation-Disclosures element
among the delegates, led by Alexan-
der Howat, Is opposing President
Lewis" recommendation that the con-
vention order Howat to direct strik-
nois delegates, standing by Howat,
apparently swayed the convention,
| for at adjournment many calls were
made for a vote, which was blocked
by the refusal Of. Vice President
entertain a motion.
/" For Gods sake, men," he said as
the din was silenced throughout the
|big convention hall. don't insist on
mob rule"
John Walker, the Illinois leader;
William Deach, of Panama, ILL.,, and
Joseph Lynall, of Peoria, took Ho-
watts side Of the strike. saying Ho-
to work because the operators wished
to change working conditions, which
they said was prohibited under the
contract. Lynall charged that the
get Howat because hesis radical,P
and he added that certain interna-
tional officials, who he did not iden-
tify, were active against Howat.
1--WE are going to get roll call
vote and get a square. DEAL" assert
ed Lynall. His assertion, If adopted
delay final decision until Tuesday,
for day would probably be required
to poll the delegates individually.
Walker said Howat was being
framed by southwestern coal opera
tors, who he charged once succeeded
in driving Howat< out of Office by un-
just charges against him, and that
the operators had indicated Howat
later when forced to do SO.
The only administration speaker
was Andrew Steele, of N ovinger, Mo-.
a member, of the International ex-
ecutive board, who investigated the
cases in Kansas. He said the con-
tract had not been fulfilled and the
strikers should be ordered back to
work. Collective bargaining is on
trial in these cases. he asserted, ask
ing the delegates TO protect the
honor nf fha IJniOr ~ & .-