Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-04-04
COAL OPERATORS
ARE BLAMED FOR
MINE RS STRIKE
Have Refused Point Blank to
Do As They Agreed, Lew
is Declared at House
Committee Hearing.

(By The Associated Press.)
Washington, April 3.-Union coal
mi lers who suspended work Satur-
day in the nations bltuminous and
anthracite fields were declared to-
day by John L. Lewis president of
the United Mine Workers Of Amer
lea, TO be DESTROYS of ending 1.-THE
suspension of mining operations at
the earliest possible date" but the
resumption OF coal production en-
tirely depends upon the future atti-
tude of the coal operators"
Mr.. Lewis made this declaration
before the house labor committee
which is holding hearings on the
| Bland resolution to authorize APP
pointment by the president of a
commission to investigate the coal
industry. Discussing the resolu-
ton under consideration, the United
| Mine Workers president asserted
that his organization would well
come ANY impartial and judicial
investigation of the general condi-
tons in the bituminous and an
| thracite coal industries, and es-
pecially the facts relating to invest
ments and profits, operating prac-
Itices. conservation of fuel resources,
application of uniform methods of
safeguarding the life and limb of
the workers and industrial relations
and conditions.
TO Ascertain the Truth.
Such an investigating body, he
added, should be clothed with full
power TO ascertain the truth to send
for persons and papers and to take
testimony under oath. The person.
mel of such commission should be
free from political equations and
the mine workers should be given
adequate representation thereon"
'As to the adjustment, of con,
troVersieS between operators and
mine workers, we have been ira
ditionally opposed to governmental
intervention, Mr.. Yewis continued.
1--WE have been convinced by ex-
perience that such adjustments
may be more effectively and
equitably worked out both in the
interest of the public and of those
engaged in the industry by confer
ence and agreement between repre-
sentatives of the operators and the
mine workers. If the operators had
maintained their contract with us,
the present deplorable condition Of
affairs in the soft coal industry
would not have arisen. All differ
ences should have been settled
by agreement and a suspension OF
work and a general break down In
the industry avoided.
Adjustment Boards.
"Our experience With Labor ad-
justmcnt boards or commissions
has been that representatives of
the public, not having a knowledge
of the technique of the coal mining
industry are not in a position to
reach as satisfactory conclusion as
those who are actively engaged in
the practical operation OF the mines
1.-THE United Mine Workers re-
greet more than any one else the
necessity for a suspension Of work
by the union coal miners of the
country. We have done everything
humanity possible to avoid the sus-
pension. For months past we have
fought hard TO induce the bitumin-
Gus coal operators to keep faith
with us and with the government
and meet us in joint conference so
that a new wage and working
agreement might be made that
would maintain. industrial peace
and prevent public Inconvenience.
In a Joint conference held in the
city of New York on the 31st Of
March. 1920, a two year agreement
was signed covering wages ana
working conditions in the mining
industry for that period. In this
basic agreement appears the fol-
lowing provision:
Resolved. That an interstate
joint conference be held prior to
April /. 1922, the time and plac3
of holding such meeting was re-
ferred to a committee of two oper-
ators and two miners from each
state herein represented, together
with the international officers Of
the United Mine Workers organ
lied.
THE mine workers Of the coun-
try believed that the coal opera
tors signed the agreement in good
faith, but we now find that they
refuse to live up to their agree
ment. They have refused point
blank to do as they agreed they
would do. If they were to refuse
to liquidate their financial obliga-
ton it would be no more di3hon-
orable than their refusal to keep
their solemn agreement with the
mine workers.
"On two occasions since the
month of December. 1921. the OPP
orators have been formally invit-
ed by the mine workers represent
tatives to meet in Joint conference
at a designated time and place for
the purpose indicated in the agree
ment. On each occasion our invi-
tation has been refused.
up. II. Penna, of Indiana. the
chief spokesman for the coal OPP
orators of the central competitive
field, in recent public interview
said:
az cannot deny that our refus-
al to meet is violation of our
agreement
Operators Are Blamed.
'In the face of such brazen and
uncompromising attitude on the
part OF the coal operators the
mine workers had no alternative
but to quit their work when the
agreement expired and await the
making Of another agreement. 1t
is particularly unfortunate tina:
hundreds of thousands of men
must be withdrawn from industry
TO the detriment Of the social and
economic well being Of our coun.
try before n Joint conference can
be held and an agreement nego-
tiated The responsibility must
rest clearly upon the shoulders of
the. coal operators. Their attitude
should rightfully bring down upon
them the moral castigation of an
outraged citizenship.
'"The public can follow its own
reasoning in defining the motives
of the operators. Whether 1t be
their mere sordid desire to enrich
further their own teeming Golfers
or whether IL he their flfila hona