The Colorado statesman., 1922-07-29


mines could be reopened peacefully
rather than by methods which might
result in violence" Nestos asked
President Harding to use such means
as he deems consistent to persuade
the United Mine Workers of America
to settle the North Dakota problem in
that way.
President Lewis of the mine work
ers was not disturbed, apparently, by
the PRONUNCIATION of the Presidents
plan. He said that an immediate re-
suit of any attempt to operate mines
by nOn-union labor would be the quit
ting of the maintenance workers,
which would mean the speedy flooding
of the mines. This would need no
strike order.
Lewis added that there were more
men out than when the strike started
sixteen weeks ago and that they
would continue to refrain from work
"in peaceful and orderly fashion,"
That their methods are not always
peaceful was demonstrated at Clifton
vile, w. VA, where a large band of
marching strikers from Pennsylvania
encountered sheriif's posse and
killed the sheriff and four other men.
EOR several days it looked as if the
L shopmens strike might be settled
amicably through the negotiations in
stituted by Chairman Hooper of the
labor board. Assurance was given,
specifically to the maintenance of
way men, that the board would grant
re-hearings on wage disputes, and it
was believed this not only would keep
those workers from going out but also
would be made applicable to the other
dlsaffected unions. Moreover, Presi-
dent Cradle of the maintenance men
said Senator Cummins, who is chair
man of the Interstate commerce com
mittee of the senate, had advised him
that "he is going to hold hearings i'm
medately on disputed points of the
transportation act, principally to ascer-
tain how the law may he amended so
that the living wage principle would
be made clear and so that every en-
plOyee would be guaranteed living
wage"
All this looked very auspiclous, and
then up jumped the question of senior
ity and put the negotiations on the
blink. The shopmen insisted that If
they returned to work their seniority
rights must be restored and the car
riers fatty refused to yield to this de-
mand. Both sides set forth their
arguments on this point, which have
| been heard before in many strike,
and as both stood firm, Chairman
| Hooper issued a statement saying that
| the negotiations had had no result
land are now at an end" Added to
the seniority barrier to peace was
| JEWELS demand for a national board
/ of adjustment.
Though it was believed the strike
of the maintenance of way men would
be averted, the numbers of the strikers
were increased by several thousands
in various parts of the country. There
were many disorderly incidents, but
none of great moment. The govern
ment's determination that the mails
shall not be interfered with had its
effect and Attorney General Daugherty
said they were delayed in only few
localities. He added: 1T appears,
however, that there Is n relationship
between the railroad situation and the
coal strike Whether this relationship
is conspired or inspired l do not care
to say mt present One thing is GER
tain; the fault is not all on one side"
This lends strength to the belief, eX-
pressed in Washington, that the policy
the government will follow in dealing
with the railway situation depends
largely on the results of its action in
relation to the coal strike.
IN CHICAGO the employees of the
l. surface and elevated roads We're al
ready to quit work and spent much OF
the week awaiting the permission OF
their international president, w. ID
Mahon. who was IN the east. His de
lay was taken to mean that negotia
tions might be resumed and the strike
averted, but before this reaches the
reader 1t Is likely the people of Chi
cago will be making their way about
ms best they can without the aid o,
the street cars and elevated trains.
ORANGE has yielded so far as t'
consent to a moratorium for Ger
many on cash payments for from
three to. six months. In return sh'
has demanded that the allies maintain
the strictest supervision over German
government finances, being allowed t