Evening star., 1922-07-28
PRESIDENTS mine 4.
STAND CHALLENGED
Duty to Protect Embarrass-
ed Citizens, Says Michi-
gan Governor.
MESSAGES EXCHANGED
Issue Held "Dictation Unhesitat-
ingly Assumed by Workers"
by Chief Executive.
By the Associated Pre-


LANSING. Mich. July 2s.-A Letters
from President Harding declaring. in
enect, that the federal government is
powerless to interfere with the atti-
tude OF the United Mine Workers Of
America toward independent local
agreements; that at present nothing
can De done except enable men will
ing TO work to work in safety. and
that the big issue in the coal strike
dispute is national dictation, .un-
hesftatingly assumed by the min.
workers" which must be taken care
OF by legislation, today drew sharp
Groesbeck ''
Replying to a letter from the Presi-
dent, Gov Groesbeck declared h.
could not concede the federal sov-
ernment mas not the power TO pro-
tect our citizens from the embarrsss-
Ing situation that faces u.s.
Would Seek Legislation.
The Presidents letter was in reply
to telegram sent by the goyernor
last week. when he informed the ma
uonal executive he was asking John
l. Lewis. president of the mine work.
ers, to grant Michigan miners ner-
mission to enter agreements inde-
pendently OF their national affiliation
and return to work
Ine president in his reply stated
No would seek legislation to solve III.
problem OF Independent agreements.
replying to Gov. Groesbeck's origi-
naI proposal that the state take over
and operate the mines in Michigan,
the President said:
i DO not know whether you have
the persuasive power to effect VOL
untary agreement in Michigan
out thlnk 1t fair TO assume you
would not enforce such an arrange
ment. For the present. in the absenc.
OF law to guarantee service in tns
public welfare, we can only take
steps necessary to enable men will-
ing to work to do SO in perfect safety.
Armed Guard Limitation.
II do not think this means an armed
guard aSthe mouth of every mine. 10
does need the assurance that state
authority. and federal authority when
needed. means to protect every man
In the pursuit of lawful employment"
1t is matter of record" the Presi-
| dent wrote. that coal operators and
mine workers in many districts have
been quite ready to come to an un-
Outstanding in very short order, but
| the policy of the national organiza-
tion is hostile to any district or state
arrangement This apparently Is one
OF the issues involved and is one
which must be definitely settled. / do
not know Of any way of settling IL
! under the legal authorities which are
now possessed by either state or fed
eral government.
'Manifestly. legislation must he
provided and | mean 10 submit the
whole problem to Congress al the
earliest consistent time possible after
the House reassembIes.
Issue Forced by Workers.
IF the coal producers of the United
States were so organized that a ma
tional body were to determine the
policy of every member and permit
no sales of coal except on dictation
of terms by the national officials.
every state legislature and Congress
| itself would instantly put to an end
| such a practice. The mine workers
unhesitatingly assumed national die
] tation. 1t Is the big issue involved
in the present dispute. Frankly, I
| think il must be dealt with II we are
to have any security and any assur-
ance of a supply of fuel"
4 ne HoNeIH . iSpiy III Tue ioIH OF
a letter said in part: There heing
no dispute over wages or working
| conditions. II seems a pity that tho
public must be made to suffer with
out any justification whatever.
! You will pardon me for taking tho
position that the national govern-
ment has the power and authority
! to protect our citizens from the em-
barrassing situation that faces US.
| I do not see how we can conceds
that such power does not exist. am
(! writing frankly because the people
are becoming impatient of further
that will spell an early end OF the
matter"