The New York herald., 1922-04-11
MINERS CHIEFS TOLD.
MONEY Is THE ISSUE.
Representative Atkeson Ac-
cuscs Union Of Asking
More Than War Pay.
DEFLATION is ASSAILED
Workers Spokesman Charge
Artificial Forcing - Mine
Bosses High Salaries.

WASHINGTON. April l0.-The hearings
of the House Labor Committee on the
national coal strike were closed to-day
for a time at least. the day being de-
voted to hearing testimony from labor
spokesman, who denied charges OF the
operators concerning union contract
breaking being a factor in the walkout.
Chairman Nolan OF the committee said
there were no plans for a further in
vestigation of the strike, but the COM
mittee will meet Wednesday in executive
session to take action on the Bland bill.
which would set up Federal coal COM
mission to deal with such situations.
Witnesses appearing before the COM
mittee to-day included Edgar Wallace.
Labor Federation legislative agent and
a member OF the miners union John
Hessler, president, and William Mitch,
secretary of the Indiana district of the
United Mine Workers, and James Lord,
vice-president Of the American Fedora
tion Of Labor.
Examination of the witnesses was en-
,ivened at one time by Representative
Atkeson (Mo., Rep). who desired
to show. he said, that it is the money
question bothering the miners rather
than questions Of labor organization or
conference with the operators.
Miners were getting up to last week
81 per cent. more than they got during
the peak of prices during. the war;" he
declared in asking Mr.. Wallace why
aren't you willing to skin down little
now when farmers have lost 80 per cent.
of what they had them
rs there any reason why we should
lose because farmers weren't organ
ized ?,s Mr.. Wallace returned.
"All right - Mr. AtkpSop ntiretted
You did have wage contract with the
bosses. 1t expired last week. They did
not want to go on with it again What
are you going to do about 1t? Has
Congress or anybody else got power TO
make 'em?''
Mr.. Wallace agreed that legislation to
compel new contracts might not be ad-
visable. but suggested the union could
force another bargain.
Yes, you come here and say by use
OF power against other white men you
are going to take what you want" Mr..
Atkeson returned, when you are get
ting 81 per cent. more than during the
war"
Inc entire operation of def'ation as
affecting wages and prices, Mr.. Wal
lace said, was artficially forced upon
farmers and upon labor. had produced
injustice and should be resisted
The difference between us and the
farmers" he said. lis that we are
resisting"
Mr.. Hessler told the committee that
Phil Fl. Penna. operators representa-
tive, had given the committee IAN in
accurate and misleading statement" to
support charges that the union had vio-
lated generally its wage agreements.
Mr.. Penna said that some 800 strikes
occurred in the State in mines during
1921 while the union records. Nr. Hess
ler declared. accounted for only thirty
four.
The operation of a penalty clause"
in the wage contracts resulted in filming
either operators or men responsible for
an unjustified suspension of work. he
explained, and. describing many in
stances of local disturbances. said that
some of them were produced because
companies have supported contract
breaking elements in the union In order
to discredt our organization"
What do these mine superintendent
earn?" Representative Burk (Rep., Pal
asked Mr.. Mitch. IT'S charged against
the cost Of coal, isn't 1t. and they go on
working while you boys are out"
Yes. the coal carries the charge" Mr..
Mitch replied. "and l understand A. M.
Ogle who was before your committee.
draws 100000 year.
And gets II while you fellows are
out" Mr.. Burke commented. What
does Penna get?"
II understand as secretary OF the Mine
Operators Association he draws down
$4,000 a year Mr.. Mitch replied,
while he also is in on some mining
operations I don't know about"
Mr.. Lord said the strike resulted from
IAN attempt to smash the mine workers
organization. which / believe will be
unsuccessful"