The New York herald., 1921-10-02
MINERS WILL FIGHT
WAGE REDUCTIONS
Vote to Raise 81, 100000 Fund
and to Hold Off Demands
Until February.

INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 1.-Postponement
until next February In the framing OF
coal miners wage demands was voted
to-day by the convention of the United
Mine Workers of America In doing sc
the delegates overwhelmingly approved
the recommendation of President John
l.. Lewis, who urged the delay so as not
to disclose the miners term six months
before the expiration of present agree
ments with operators.
Although there was no discussion OF
new demands, the delegates indicated
they favored a strike. If necessary. to
obtain increases. for they also approved
the report of Vice-President Murray, In
which he declared In favor OF fighting
for improvement of contracts in both
anthracite and bituminous fields that ex-
pire next March 81.
In addition the convention went on
record as opposing wage reductions by
rledging the unions financial support to
Colorado and Washington miners now
idle after refusing to accept reductions.
Further, the delegates voted to raise
approximately S1.500.000 by special as
sessment of members of the union, but
in doing so did not specify any purpose
for using the money. The action In
levying the assessment was taken after
approving the report Of William Green,
secretary treasurer. which showed the
unions net available cash to be S487.000.
Wage increases obtained after the soft
coal strike two years ago were about
half as large as asked by the miners
who also demanded six hour day and
five day week.
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 prison
ers In the Logan and Williamson county
jails. President Lewis appointed a COM
mittee to call at the White House next
week. and in doing this he declared
there Is ample reason to believe the
lives of President c. f. Keeney of the
West Virginia district and Secretary
Fred Mooney and others are in jeop'-
ardy" 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.
The convention authorized test case
of the Kansas Industrial Court act beins
prosecuted In the Supreme Court.
The attack on the Kansas Industrial
Court probably will be by suit to en-
join the enforcement of the law creating
it, Mr.. Lewis told the delegates that
effort would be made to have interna
tional and Kansas district officials t.
agree on case. He said he expected
Kansas State officials would be willing
to expedite action. Kansas union off
cials, he said, had repulsed efforts o.
the international officers to get al
agreement for mutual action.
outa od1a6 that legal attack.
made by Alexander Howat, the Kansas
miners leader. had been from thu
wrong angle" and failed to raise vita
issues He also declared that Howa
had refused four days after enactment
of the law to enter into friendly sui
proposed by the Kansas Attorney-Gen
to test the constitutionality of the
law. Such agreements; Lewis said
would have made the law virtually in
operative pending settlement of such
suit.