New-York tribune., 1922-07-19
Joint Duty to Guard Free
Men in Right to Work
Without Hindrance. He
T ellis % Governors
Union Head Calls
Warning a Gesture
Won't Mean Coal, Asserts
Lewis; N. Y. Guard May
Be Used i'm Strike Duty
By Carter Field

WASHINGTON, July 1s.-Presi-
dent Harding tonight dispatched
kilograms to the Governors of twenty
eight coal producing states, calling
on them to cooperate in protecting
the mines in order that the nations
fuel needs might be filed. He prom
ised "every assistance" which the
Federal government can command in
guarding the pits. =
The President urged that it was
the joint duty of the state and Fed
eral governments to guarantee the
security Of the miners and operators
who, in response to the White House
appeal to resume operations, are
willing to undertake the production
Of coal. He insisted that the reiec-
tion Of his arbitration plan by the
union miners necessitated steps to
protect the country's welfare and as
sure an adequate fuel supply. He
pointed out that there had been mo
challenge of the right Of workers to
decline employment or the right Of
the employers to hire as they elect"
The Presidents move in attempting
to obtain coal by protecting the mines
was characterized as gesture which
will not produce coal in any substantial
quantity by John L. Lewis, president
OF the United Mine Workers.
Silent on Mine Violence
Ignoring the Hcrrin massacre and
the latest West Virginia assaults on
non-union miners Mr.. Lewis said tina.
no question Of law and order was in
volved because the mine workers are
punctiliously observing the law and no
troops are necessary"
"This attitude of the government
will In no manner change the position
of the mine workers or result in q
termination Of the STRIKE" said Mr..
Lewis. "Men who are voluntarily on
strike will not return merely because
armed guards are placed around the
mines. There is no question of law
and order involved, because the mine
workers are punctiliously observing
the law and no troops are necessary.
The men were free to return to work
at any time they desired during the
sixteen weeks of the strike. This ac-
tion of the Federal government is
merely gesture which will not pro-
duce coal in any substantial quantity.
The mine workers will continue on
strike until some honorable avenue Of
settlement in accordance with the
principles of collective bargaining is
accorded them. We are ready now, as
we have been since last December, to
IN ctr
adjustment Of the situation"
Striking miners in many districts, IL
was said, are anxious to get back to
work, but fear being outlawed by the
union organization. The forceful stand
taken by President Harding in backing
up his invitation to the operators to
resume production will, it is hoped,
have a strong and direct effect upon
this angle of the problem. With the
mines guaranteed against interferencs
or disorder, the union workers who are
ready to return will soon see the fulfil
ity of holding out, say the operators.
To many Of the bituminous men the
chief factor in the situation Is now, as
they expressed it, time" Ihe r,orn
optimistic among them Yrophesied that
the "miners will see within the next
two or three weeks that they will be
safe in returning to work and will do
So"
May Call Out New York Guard
+ The New York National Guard may
be called out. to protect Pennsylvania
or West Virginia mines IL other forces
prove inadequate and II the situation
warrants, 1t was said at the War De-
partment. New York was cited as an
example Of non-coal producing state,
whose militia might be called into serv-
ice by the President if the emergency
warrants.
Secretary of War Weeks was clear
and emphatic in explaining just what
the attitude of the Federal government
vas with regard both to the regular
army and the National Guard.
II the state governors do not make
suitable and effective arrangements TO
handle all situations, Secretary Weeks
said, the Federal government will in
tervene to. protect men at work and
keep down disorders.
First responsibility is on Che National
Guard, he said, but when they are un-
able to handle a situation there will be
no hesitancy about sending in regulars
If the trouble gets beyond control
OF the regular army, he added, the
duct into the Federal service any avais-
able National Guard and send them
wherever required.
For instance" Mr.. Weeks said. sNsw
York State IS not mining state, and
| the President could call In the New
York National Guard and send toem
wherever he pleased"
VIII Look to States First
The general principle, however, 10 to
| look to the states first and then IL
forces there are inadequate to send In
Federal troops to maintain order.
] Secretary Weeks cited the case Of
Colorado. He said that when the mine
strike was called there, the Colorado
state guard was sent into every mining
community and as result the mines
there are producing up to so per cont of
normal. The War Departments ex-
| perience has been that where the
United States troops have been sent,
order was Immediately restored.
Instructions have been dispatched to
all commands to be ready to move
when directed by Secretary Weeks.
Regarding the anthracite situatlon,