Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-04-01

their contract with operators mas
another year to run.
During the day Mr.. Lewis de-
clared that the suspension of work
by Kansas union miners would not
he averted by the action or the
Kansa.; industrial court ordering
that wage scales of the last two
years be continued for thirty days
In a formal statement tonight the
union chief declared the nation
wide walkout would affect nun
dreds of thousands of citizens not
directly engaged in the coal indus
try, and he reiterated his charge
that the operators had iced 'the
strike Tpon the miners"
Canadian Miners May Quit.
In addition to the KENTUCKY
miners, union men n Nova SCOTIA
E will remain at work but those In
f the western Canadian provinces
were expected to join the suspen-
sion.
Numerous reports from the coal
fields of the country also reached
headquarters, which Mr.. Lewis de-
clared indicated q complete tieup
4 Of all union fields. These reports
/ also showed that 10000 union
/ s,4cn would be left in the mines 70
protect the properties from dam
A age, and the only trouble between
4 oueraturs and miners IN this con-
] nection was reported from Wash-
I ington state. where operators were
aid to be objecting to paying the
wages provided for in the contract
that expired at midnight.
Yewis' Statement.
Mr. lewis formal statement re-
garding the suspension OF WORK
follows: ~
"The strike upon which the Un-
ted Mine Workers OF America are
entering is not a question OF SINAI
magnitude nor one to be lightly
considered by the American people
1t is fraught with far-reachlng con
sequences and serious responslbli-
ties as affecting public veal. ne
withdrawal of in excess or o00,oVo
men from the mines of the country
constitutes a serious problem. ASIDE
from the inevitable coal shortage
which will ensue to the protit OF
coal operators and to the detrlment
Of the public, it will cause dlsio-
cation of industry throughout tne
nation, affecting hundreds OF thou.
sands of citizens in other walks OF
life.
"This is a deplorable condition
and constitutes a sad commentary
upon the relationship of employer
and employe in American industry.
Every thoughtful man recognizes
that in the end a settlement OF tne
problems of the mining INDUSTRY
must perforce be effected. Sucn
settlement mus, come through JOINT
conference with accredited repre-
sentatives of the mine workers OF
the nation.
4 at is most unfortunate because
E OF the arbitrary attitude OF the coal
operators that such a meeting can
l not be assembled until the. country
4. las endured the agony and convul-
1. sions involved In an industrial
\. strife on such a gigantic scale. In
\ the present issue the puplc mas
heen lulled into a sense of false
4 security by the soothing state
ments of those who Will profit
4 through a strike.
r "The mine workers repeatedly
z have called attention to these facts
and our statements have gone un
needed The responsibility must,
Z therefore, be with those VINO haVe
K forced the present situation and
. are seeking to beat the miners
backwards.
GAS self-respecting citizens we
hre resolved to stand in opposition
o those who deny us living wage
Ind our proper aspirations for an
american standard of living"
iOOAL PRODUCTION IN
BUCKEYE STATE STOPS