Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1921-09-29
M|NERSCAN ACCEPT
NO GUT, SAYSLEW|S
WORKERS ARE URGED TO WAIT
UNTIL FEBRUARY TO MAKE
THEIR DEMANDS
FAVORS NATURALIZATION
Postponement of Demands Asks Until
All Agreements Expire so Full In
fluence and Power of Member
ship Can Be Utilized.

Chlcago.-No wage reduction of coal
miners must be permitted, and the
miners union must make available
all The organizations resources to
back up such policy in opposition to
wage cuts, John L. Lewis, president OF
the United Mine Workers OF America.
declared Tuesday, in a 40,0O0-word re-
port made to the 1000 representatives
sent from local unions throughout the
United States, western Canada and
Novia Scotia.
Mr.. Lewis, speaking on the occasion
OF the biennial convention of the in
ternatlonal union, recommended post
ponement until February of the min
ers' adoption of definite wage demands.
tie declared that with all wage agree
ments expiring March 81, 1922. 'the
fuil influence and economic power of
our great membership may thus be
utilized"
Besides explaining the wage ques-
ton, MIR. Lewis recommended that the
convention reaffirm its declaration ia
voring naturalization of coal mines
ana that legal proceedings be instituted
to make full test of the constitution
atty of the Kansas Industrial court law
which he declared to be in violation of
the federal constitution and "vicious
attack upon the rights of organized
workers"
THE first fight in Mlngo county. w.
Va" he said, must be won without
compromise of principles involved" He
expressed hope the senate committee
investigation would clay bare the hor-
ror of that field" and pave the way for
recognition Of the fright of the mine
workers who desire to become members
OF the United Mine Workers"
After an exhaustive report on wage
negotiations of 1919 the strike that fol-
lowed and the injunctions against 1t
and the later Indictment of miners and
operators under the antitrust law. Mr.
Lewis point out that next spring all
the wage agreements would expire for
the first time in the history of the min
ers' organization on the same date. and
then, he concluded, that despite ad
verse criticism. "no wage reductions
have been taken, and IT is our high
purpose to continue this policy"
In discussing the wage question. Mr..
Lewis said coal operators i'm Pennsvl-
vania, Washington, Iowa, Kansas. Col
orado, West Virginia, Kentucky. Ten
nessee, Alabama, Oklahoma. Texas. Ar
kansas and Missouri had filed demands
Tor reductions, but that the unions
policy was uncompromisingly for car
rying out the present agreement which
he said, was predicted on the award of
the btumnous coal commission. func-
tionng under government authority.
"Our people were employed only two
days week on the average" contin-
ued Mr.. Lewis in explanation of the
unions policy" and they found it ex-
Iremely 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 .
he mining industry are but relatively I
air. Coal can be produced under tbe l
resent wage at labor cost that cor
responds favorably with production
'osts Of other essential commodities"
Mr. Lewis declared the miners in the
tates where wage reductions had been
Sked by operators were supporting the
MONS policy opposing any modifica-
ions of the present agreement and he
dded:
This policy must be continued and
he resources of the union made avail
bile for its application. The present :
fage agreement 70 which the govern :
lent is a party must remain intact ana :
'e will expect that the Influence of The :
ederal government win be exercised
) preserve its integrity" :