The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1922-03-24
STRIKE TG TIE UP
5000 GOAL Mines
Hard And Soft Pits To Be
Closed; No Hope For
Peace Seen

Indianapolis, March 22.-Barring
the miracle of a settlement of wage
difficulties within the next ten DAYS.
100000 miners in all the unionized
hard and soft coal mines of the Unit
ed States and British Columbia will
drop their tools April / for an indefi-
mite period under the terms of the
strike order from international head
quarters of the United Mine Workers
which is in the mails today.
For the first time in the history of
the coal industry, both the bitumin-
Gus and anthracite mines of the ma
ton are to be idle at the same time,
If the strike order is carried out. And
union officials today saw no ray of
hope for averting the nationwide
suspension.
While domestic consumers likely
will not suffer from any shortage of
coal resulting from the mine tie-up,
industry just now beginning to move
along with firm stride, will be
cramped in the view of union Off
Gals.
The suspension, in effect strike
VIII continue until the cows come
home,'' in the words of union of
fieials who make clear that the min
ers are determined to keep the entire
anthracite field and approximately
three-fourths of the soft coal mines
"sewed up" until they have attained
their goal.
This goal is Joint conference with
the operators-now made impossible
by refusal of certain bituminous mine
owners to participate at which they
want to present demands for con-
tinuation of the present wage sche-
dule, retention of the check-off sys-
tenn and Inauguration of the six hour
day and five day week. They would
be content it is indicated, to drop
the six hour day, five day week de-
mand if the operators would come
across" with the rsst of the pro-
gromme.
The operators, however, are deter
mined upon enforcing wage reduc-
tions and they have no liking, they
say for the check off and have no in
tention of granting the shorter work
ing day. Besides many of them take
the view that if they entered con-
ference with the miners under the
1920 contract they would be going
AGAINST the Federal Court in India
napolis, where 226 operators, union
officials and mining companies are
under indictment for alleged con-
spiracy to violate the Sherman anti
trust act.
Effect of Suspension q
The effect of the suspension. to be-
precipitated at midnight March 81 by
the order just sent out, in the opinion
of union officials will be;
First-To cause 100000 miners to
drop their tools without strike bene-
fits.
Second-To tie up about 5000 of
the country's 1900 mines.
Third-To close up every anthra-
cite mine because the whole hard coal
field is unionized
Fourth-To call out unionized soft
coal miners producing 2,225,000 tons
a day.
Fifth-To leave the country's coal
production resting upon nonunion
miners delivering maximum Of
100000 tons daily.
On top of this Administration Of
ficials in Washington express the be-
lief that the coal strike-regarded as
be attended by spo-
radio strikes OF railroad employees.
That there will be any concerted sym
strike on the. part of the
sixteen major railroad unions of the
who recently entered into a
defensive alliance" with the miners,
however is regarded as improbable
n union quarters. Only the "mor-
II" support of the transportation un-
on is anticipated