The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1922-04-02
MANY AT WORK
100000 of the Uno
ganized Reported Cu
but Thousands r.
main i'm Mines.
LEWIS ON 'BORAH IuA4.
Deprecates Goyernment
Ownership. but FavOrs
Federal Control.
HOLD TO HIGH PRICES
Retailers Stick to Winter
Scale and Mine Owners With
Big Stocks Refuse to Sell.
HOLD TO HIGH PRICES

INDIANAPOLIS. April 1. - Completes
suspension OF coal mining by union
workers marked the beginning to-.
day OF the nationwide walkout or
dered by the United Mine Workers
Of America.
Union leaders estimated 100000
miners, including 100000 non-unionl
men. had enlisted in the movement.
and predicted no change soon.
The exact effectiveness OF the sus-
pension. especially in non-union and
partly organized fields. was difficulc
TO gauge. however. because to-day
also marked the anniversary OF the
introduction OF the eight hour work
day in the coal industry, an annual
holiday in the coal fields. Neverthe-
less, union officials we're confident
that no union men. except those au-l
thorized to stay at work. will return
to the mines on Monday
Union headquarters here prepared.
no tabulation showing the geography
cal distribution of the idle men. busl
the reports from field leaders showed
the great bulk Of the suspension cen,
tered in Pennsylvania, West Virginia .S
Ohio, Indiana. Illinois, Missouri,
Iowa, Kansas and nearby southwest
ern States. Reports from other fields
we're somewhat vague and union or
ficials did not expect an exact show
ing for the entire country would bs
available before the middle of next
week.
RaiIrond Crews Laid on.
President John l.. Lewis estimated
that 5000 Of the $500 mines in the
country that have been operating re-
Gently had closed. and in addition, ir
was pointed out that $500 mines havs
been idle for some time Changes
the suspension were expected (
relatively slow in becoming apps
but indications OF possible spreae AZ
its effect developed at points werr
railroads laid or many crews oDt .sts
ing coal trains.
Union leaders declared they Ne )
not expecting any early detection f1a
the miners ranks on account ange
operators attempting TO resume foY
on an open shop basis. Howev
union men declined TO express afN
opinion on the probable action 30
ganized workers in partly unioni 3
Z GrY1
garded as hinGins largely on the
titudc ~ non-union men.
Seeking Non-Union support.
III various fields-particularly I'M
Pennsylvania and West Virginia
field leaders of the union were pla =
reetings during the next few days, -
purpose being 10 gain as much ST 0r.
as possible from non-union worker in
the strongly unionized fic Ids. which &ey-
hit hsrdcs, to-day BY the suspeNNrr
the union leaders regarded any break
In their battle front as impossible
The anthracite fields of Pennsy1 rAHt B
and the big soft coal area comp
the central competitive field. an H
Southwest Interstate district. wcfe S
litved b. the union officials as a. Ni
started on an indefinite and prol ii
suspension. Reports also Indicate, ea4
tho other coal fields were closed Z E4
but operators II some of these di
we're said TO be planning 10 r
work soon.
Mines IN western Canaaa We
ported ~ closed. but these IN ~
Scotia were n operation. Five tho u nj
union miners In Kentucky remains ~
work under a contract that has AND ~
year 10 run. In addition, 5000 u On
mon remained IN the miner to nr tssR
tho properties from damage, but rel ar<4
10 union headquarters here indi, tea
that disputes had developed IN ] p@.
Montana and Washington a. tc
wages 10 be paid these ruainteI
mem Union leaders In these Statet
sisted on the wages provided IN i9
contracts that expired last mid NNt
while operators demanded rcductic~a
No "summer Coal, Prices.
To-day also Is known as the begisrtNr
n the coal wear" when 'sy HAs
prices" for coal have been fixed M tN
past the margin Of decline usually
being 70 cents a ton, which was wiped
out ~ gradual increases until SER
tember
Retailers hero announced no change
to-day In their prices. and mine owners
declared they had no coal for sale.
The operators hero also added tha. III.
storage OF coal was practiced only bv
anthracite operators, asserting that ths
bitumlnous product could not be stored
sdvantageously. The summer prices"
Tor the bituminous coal according 70
the operators had IN tho past been en-
current production
! Union officials said tha only siSniNs