Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-03-22
"ONLY SMOKE
SCREEN" SAY
UNION MINERS
Continued From Page 1.

UNlUN MlNkkS
CONTINUED From Page ~
The last International convention
OF the United Mine Workers Of
America, held in Indianapolis during
the week OF February IA, 1922, adopts
OF the policy OF the United Mine
Workers OF America:
The present contract between the
coal operators and the United Mine
Workers Of America in both the an
thracite and bituininous coal fields
terminates on March 81, 1929 In the
event no agreement is reached by
April l, we declare in favor OF. a gem
eral suspension of mining operations,
endum vote of the membership OF the
United Mine Workers of America,
such referendum vote to be held prior
to March 81
''Since this action was taken, the
international officers Of the United
Mine Workers OF America have en-
deavored to meet the operators of the
central competitive field in joint con-
ferencee for the purpose of negoti-
ating a new wage agreement. The
operators of western Pennsylvania,
and southern Ohio positively refused
to attend an interstate meeting. while
INC operators OF eastern Ohio and In
diana agreed to do SO only upon the
condition that all the operators repre-
senting western Pennsylvania, Ohio,
Indiana and Illinois, the states ana
district comprising the central com
petitive neld. were present. Because
the operators refused to e your
Representatives we have failed to Sc
cure an interstate meeting. We have
been. and now are, willing and ready
to participate in a joint conference of
miners and operators Of the central
competitive field for the purpose Of
negotiating a new wage agreement but
are unable to do SO because the coal
operators will not meet us. The blame
and responsibility for a suspension Of
mining operations on April 1 must
rest fairly n squarcly with the coal
operators.
IA referendum vote of the mine
workers Of the bituminous coal fields
was taken and tho returns show that
the membership has voted over
whelmingly in favor Of a suspension
OF mining operations on March 81 in
the event no agreement with the coal
operators is reached by that time.
Furthermore, the representatives
of the anthracite mine workers in a
tri-district convention held at ShamO-
kin, Pa, from January II to 20, 1922,
adopted the following section as q
part Of their wage. scale demands:
I'VE further recommend that the
scale committee be instructed to per-
rect arrangements providing for a
suspension Of mining on April l., 1922,
in the event that no satisfactory
agreement has been arrived at as Of
that date
PURSUANT to the action Of the in
transitional convention, the tri-distr1ct
convention Of the anthracite mine
workers and the referendum note,
and in conformity with the authority
conferred upon your international
Officers by the international. conven-
ton, the undersigned executive off,
GERS of the United Mine Workers Of
America hereby direct all members of
the organization employed in and
around the anthracite and bituminous
coal producing district to discontinue
work and cease the production of coal
at midnight on Friday. March 81,
1922. The suspension. ordered by &C.
ton of the international convention
Of the United Mine Workers Of
America m the membership by q
referendum vote, will continue until
terminated by action of the policy
committee Of the United Mine Work.
frs OF America and until you are fur
ther%onicially advised. -
In accordance with district and
agreements, local unions must
permit a sufficient number of men to
remain at work to insure the proper
care and protection of all mining
property. Bumpers, engineers, and
others necessary to protect the prop
Eerty, must be allowed to remain at
work The fullest cooperation must
be given mine mafagements in order
to safeguard and protect property,
and under no circumstances should
this rule be violated or set aside by
local unions: Your district officers
will supply you with information upon
this SUBJECT.
The present situation in the min
ing industry calls for the exercise OF
good judgment, moral courage%sand
Aloyatfty, by every member Of the
United Mine Workers of America.
Orderly procedure must be followed
at all times. There must be no vio-
lation Of law nor disturbance of the
public peace. Be guided in all your
actions by the policies of your organ
ization and follow out the instruc-
tons and orders given o by the duly
accredited officers Of your union"
Springfield, ILL.,, March pa fgh1
for the privilege of negotiating separ.
ate agreements with the operator:
will be made by Illinois miners ant
those of several other states, at {
meeting in Cleveland Friday of tn,
international policy committee, Presi
dent Frank harrington of the Illinoi
Mine Workers, said Tuesday after
noon. on announcing that Illinoi.
miners will obey the general strik.
call issued Yesterday. :.
Prospects of such permission t,
separate districts, give substance t,
the only hope of Illinois officials tina
the 10000 miners Of Illinois ma
evade suspension of work.
illinois miners will fight for per
mission to make a separate contract,
MI. harrington said ..And I undar