Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-04-03
SEES COAL PINCH
AT EARLIER DATE
THAN IS EXPECTED
Lewis Asserts 100000 Will
Stay Out Until Agree
mcnt Is Reached.
DECLARES PRODUCTION
GREATLY EXAGGERATED
Only Break in Union Lines Is
in Western kentucky
Fields.
READY TO ENTEn CONFERENCE
Leader snys Public Utilities In the
Smaller Cttic. VIII he Hit
First.
DECLARES PRODUCTION
GREATLY EXAGGERATED
READY TO ESrEn CONFERENCE
iehder snya Public Utilities In the
smaller Cities VIII lie Hit
First.
LEY Annotated pre.s |


WASHINGTON. April 2.-Thc ma
tiona! coal strike Ia 100 per cen,
elective in the unionized bltumiuous
and anthracite coal mines Of the
country. and IL getting supper, in
nonunion territory. John T.. Lewis
president OF the United Mine wo-b
"rs declared today. on his arrival
Here TO attend congregational hear.
inSs tomorrow.
There are 100000 miners ready TO
A'a| out OF the mines 'indchnitely.
hhti inc operators are ready TO dis
cu's with us tho question of new.
wage agreements In tho central com.
pcttive neiG," Mr.. Lcwis declared.
adding that while the union 'courtod
investigation FOR Itself and the hi
luminous industry. IL seeks no gov
crnmcnt Intervention. hut does ask
for tn" support Of public opinion In
forcing the Operators to continue
collective bargaining with miners
over wages ana working conditions" :"
Discusses C"ni Reserves.
Discussing coal reserves and tho
effect Of tho Sink. on the intcrfs,
OF consumers, Mr.. Lewis strongly I'd :
'anced the opinion that "a piach
would com" earlier than expected" b"
He declared n"ruu!ou mine produc-
ton had hccn "grentiy exaggerated" !"
ana said that the operators had
moro or less openly followed tactics
that forced a strike 81 they could
get higher prices and Ezcatcr proN,x. =
There Won't bc single return
10 work this week" AIR Lewis said.
''sr1Do fhn H..
"it takes a little longer for us 20
get reports from tho nonunlon fields.
In the West Virginia Panhandle. tor
instance. right a!o'S tn. ohio line.
;h@rc are about 1000 or 5000 men
ia noruuion mines. for whom meet
ingF are hciaS held today. They'll
probably hc out tomorrow There
are meetings here. and there in non
union territory all over the tinted
states today, Wen ro; tho returns
later. IN the union territory we
know what happened; the operators
1r:nt even going 70 try and run
mines.
Taking notice ~ the suggestion
~ Chairman Eorah, OF the Senate .a
Dor Committee. that the government,
ought TO Intervene further In the
s.tuation. Mr.. i."wis remarked that
~" was afraid nothing much could
bc dcnc Win the operators"
Little Hope for Conferences.
Every attempt has been made 10
set them I" meet their obligation TO
continue collective bargaining with
US" hc continued. and assmuc they
VIII maintain their refusal, no matter
WHO tries TO get them to confer. We
atsnd ready. now as ever. to enter
any conference with them To discuss
terms Of new wage contract which
VIII allow us to resume WORK
III the miners today were occupy
ing the position OF refusing TO dis
cusa wage contract. as the opera
Tors are. they'd be morally castigated
by all the citizenship OF this land"
The only break in the union lines,
CONTINUED on Page 8. Col. 81