New-York tribune., 1922-03-25
Appeal TO 100000 Non
Union Men to Halt Pro.
duction; Approve Strike
in Hard, Soft Coal Fields
Canada Included
In Great Lay-OG
Illinois Leader Will Make
Separate Agreement if
He Sees i allure
Special Dispatch TO Tho Tribune


CLEVELAND, March 24--ERorts on
the part Of the United Mine Workers
of America to bring about a complete
cessation Of coal mining in the United
States on April 1, and almost as COM
pete tie-up in Canada, crystallized
to-day in plans to induce the 100000
non-union miners in this country to
join the strike
These plans were formulated by the
policy committee of the United Mine
Workers in one-day session here, and
consist, first, of all appeal to tho non
union men to join the strike, and, sec
ond. supposed unofficial move on the
part OF union miners to penetrate the
non-unlon regions and bring about an
end Of mining activities there. If
these plans arc successful about 800.
600 miners will be involved.
Action was taken after the tts ma
tlonal and local officers of the big
union had spent most of the day dis
cusslng the attitude OF Frank Earring
ton president of the Illinois miners
who declared near the opening of the
meeting that while Illinois miners
would drop their tools April ] thav
would make a separate agreement later
II the national strike was losing.
President Lewis Of the International
Union, IN statement at the end of the
meeting, said the policy Of the union
now prohibits states from making dis
tflct agreements or sectional settle
ments. harrington, the sworn personal
foe Of Lewis, promised he would open
negotiations with the operators Of his
state before March 81, but that he
would make no district contract until
after some of the other districts had
gone back to work.
Illinois won't Hold the Bag"
Farrington, questioned after the
meeting as to what was the possibility
OF district settlement being made
later, replied, II will come to that"
The position of most OF the other
union officials was that the Illinois min
ers, who form by far the strongest
section in the union, should hold out
till the last. They believe that if
Illinois miners stand firmly for four
state agreement the operators Of the
four states will have to yield ultimately.
regardless of the course of the strike
In other states. harrington, however.
insisted he would not be caught "hold-
ing the bag"
After adjournment of the conference
Warren S. Stone, president of the
brotherhood Of Locomotive Engineers,
ca He'd on President Lewis, of the
miners. The miners and railway unions
recently arranged for an alliance be-
tween them OF rather indefinite pur-
pose.
I'VE discussed in general the situa-
ton confronting the mine workers."
Mr.. Lewis said, "and Mr.. Stone prof
tered assistance in any way that it can
be utilized, both as the chief of the
brotherhood Of Engineers and as an
American citizen. His attitude is
warmly appreciated"
Mr.. Lewis declined to elaborate on
his statement, particularly the assist
ance rendered by the leader of the rail
men.
The fact that Stone came to where
the committee was in session to-day
and personally sent his card to Lewis
seeking the interview was the surprise
of the meeting. Lewis did not confer
with other brotherhood chiefs.
Approved by Railroad Men
The West Virginia miners official,
Lawrence Dwyer, of Beckley, member
of the international executive board,
read resolution of the joint protec-
tive board of Norfolk and Western
Railway employees including members
Of all four brotherhoods, indorsng
joint strike action of miners and rail-
way workers.
This resolution may have been the
basis of rumor which has been going
around among operators OF non-union
coal mines of West Virginia to the
lContInund On nsaA 9hrsaA