Evening star., 1922-02-15
COAL WAGE ISSUE
BEFORE Miners
Sentiment at Convention
Favors Holding Out Against
Proposed Cuts.

INDIANAPOLIS. Ind. February Is.
The demand for retention Of the
present basic wages OF soft coal
miners came up for settlement to-
day before the special convention oS
the United Nine workerx of Americs.
Taking up the report OF the unions
wage scale committee for considera-
tion, item by item, the delegates
found tho first important proposal
was that of wages in the bftuminous
industry. Majority sentiment appar-
entity favored indorsing the stand
against accepting any wage reduc-
tions and declaring for the retention
Of the present. base scales Some
delegates, however, favored asking
an increase, but none had announcer
an intention OF pressing an amend
ment to the COMMITTEES report: Other
proposals. named as formal demands
also seemed certain OF Endorsement.
Including that Of calling for wage
Increases for the anthracite workers.
Aetisn ON Policy Ip.
As soon al the demands were dis
posed Of the program OF administra-
ton leaders was for the convention
to consider the committees action on
policy, which was part of the
scale report and included the threat
Of a strike by all union miners on
April l in event no wage agreement
IL reached before then. Debate on
some items Of , the report was vas expected
tion's work until late in the day and
perhaps extend the work into tomor-
row.
Leaders, however. proposed to confine
plan which would defer any light in BE-
half Of Alexander Howat, the deposed
Kansas leader. into the last STAGES
of. the convention. Supporters Of IN
tesnational President John l. Lewis,
who expelled Mr.. Howat from the
union because OF MS REFUSAL to order
strikers back to work. seemed in con-
troll Of the convention. and any effort
in behalf Of the former Kansas union
chief was expected to be made Or
the credentials committee report. Ad-
mtnistration supporters from Kansas
were seated as delegates at the open.
inR session Of the convention, and
no contests from Kansas were pend
ina before the credentials COMMITTEES,
" hich continued work today on other
cont ested seats
r,.xans Fight for seat.
Howat began his own fight for .
seat Ia the convention when the ses-
sion opened, his move delaying con-
sidsratfou OF the wage scale report
The Kansas leader said he wished the
conyention to decide by an appeal
whether it would sustain his expul-,
s,cn and that of his followers. but. In
rnniy to questions OF President Lewis,
admitted he had not filed an appeal
from the. union executive boards
orjler, as provided by the unions con-
stitwt,ou. Howat contended he was
o,iv seekine = fair trial which he said
an: the cardinal principle OF the
union. ,.,, IN. o,., ra,ners
know the truth We Will. reSeave
tnntice," said Hcwat. we are aS*'ns
imstice for tho expelled miners
Rnaef AxsAe by Lewis
IN ruling lfuwat's appeal not In
.rder President Lewis said. "ohe
hnnarsd. million peonle are waxchinE.
,rasfinn for the policies thas Will.
any,io from this conventions, and, noW
we are asked to set .aside, our WORK
TO deal with. purely internaI mayer
and affecting the welfare OF q 'e~
Inwnt's paxtisanis aznonk the dele.
-. tes STARTED an uproAr, but It was
stlenced by Lewis. who continued.
savimg that Howat and other ex-
ssaylad Kansas miners can have an
p.nssa arv tinae," but. that It must be
ssrrsdsa iy the union's executive,
hoard nefore' coming before the CON-
~ InWis also ruled tinat Howat. not
h.inx = delegate. could not appeal the
rniinr barring his case from the con-r
ventSon, but later placed his ruling
befuro, the delegates to ~ sustained
or rejected