Evening journal., 1921-09-19
MINERSDEMAND
MOREPAY NEXT
Men Refuse Decreases and
Insist on 6-Hour Day
And 5-Day Week
CONVENTION TO
OPEN TOMORROW
BY ROY GIBBONS.


INDIANAPOLIS ~ Grave appre-
hension is felt at headquarters Of
the United Mine Workers OF Amer
ica that there will be another ma
tional coal strike next spring.
Every present indication points
to a walkout Of 100000 unionized
anthracite and bituminous workers.
This forecast is based on these dis
closures;
That miners are dissatisfied with
the present working and wage scales.
That they will demand more
money from the operators.
That the coal operators will re-
fuse an increase and insist on
reduction Of the present basic wage
OF $3.50 a day.
That every agreement and con-
tract in the country between the
miners and operators expires March
81, 1922. which is unprecedented.
That the miners almost without
exception consider they were treat
ed unfairly by interference Of the
government during the last strike,
when an Increase Of "a per cent. in
wages was granted. compared to
their demand for a so per cent.
advance
Tomorrow miner delegates will
assemble here from every section OF
the United States and parts Of
-anada-
Already they have made known
heir determination 10 nght TO the
asst ditch for preservation Of pres
ent wage scales and an increase
above the basic $3.50 a day rate.
According to President John l.
Lewis, never was rnere period in
he coal industry when miners we're
so entirely wrought up over the
wage controversy"
Some OF the proposals call for
enactment by the convention OF de-
mands on coal operators for wage
Increases OF 70 per cent.
BY Contrast. certain operators in
various parts OF the country have
posted notices that their mines, after
resuming operation, will run on re-
duced wage scales.
Some operators have even sent
delegations TO the miners head
quarters here. entreating President
Lewis TO sanction pay cut.
T,s, these Lewis has replied that
the miners, will never consent TO a
lower scale and will fight TO the last
ditch any attempt to bring about
such a reduction"
In the opinion or one high oficei
OF the mine workers organization
the probability OF a national Goa
strike Is very imminent. He says
"The entire situation Is restin
on a load OF dynamite. Not yer
much is needed to set of IN
charge"
Some other resolutions receive
in advance Of arrival OF the dele
gates who formulated them, ca
,or;
Government interference with
the import Of Mexican oil.
which is competing with the
coal industry. by institution Of
a high protective tariff.
Naturalization OF all coal
mines in the United States as a
means OF preventing such dis
orders which recently occurred
in West Virginia.
Steps to bring about the
amaigamation Of transport
workers. railroad employees and
miners into a national body.
each to cooperate with the
others in event Of strike.
Release OF Eugene Debs from
prison.
Absolute disarmament
Recognition OF Soviet Russia.
A six-hour day.
A ave-day working week.
In 1919. following the last b
ennial convention at Cleveland. d.
nands we're made on the coal opei
atofs for basic awards in the centrl
competitive field which called for
A 60 per cent. wage increase.
A six-hour day.
A hve-day week.
The central competitive field en-
braces eastern Pennsylvania, Obi
Illinois and Indiana,
Whatever award Is agreed upS
by the joint scale committee OF
operators and miners. is used as q
basis for establishing working al
wage rates throughout the countr
Wages and wages only is to
the big issue" says President Lew
There can be no reduction. Flu
ther than this I cannot comment
In event Of strike. the union cou
call out every member. there
completely tying up not only 4
bituminous but also anthracite pr
duction.
President Lewis assumes N
both the hard and soft coal works
viii cooperate with each other
that each can gain their ends.