Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-07-27

have believed, / invite you now to pass
on the failure of the mine workers to
accept the awards of an able and i'm
partial commission in determining the
merits of the dispute between coal
miners and coal operators
The assertion of Dean that 'the
American farmer and laborer have
come to realize that the hostile attitude
of the G. o. P" Mr.. Harding said he
would treat with contempt" The
presidents telegram, dated July %,
was as follows:
mfr. J. Cleve Dean.
Chairman, Railway Employees Pub
licity association.
Chattanooga. Tenn:
'.Since YOU speak as chairman of the
Railway Employees Publicity assocla-
ton and since it is exceedingly impor-
tant that the American people know
precisely the questions at issue in the
present railway and coal strikes, l am
more than glad to answer your tele-
gram. though I can only treat your
politically partisan references with that
contempt which is felt by every good
citizen in the hour Of deep public con-
Germ. Happily for the American pub
lie. everything done and everything said
by the government relating to the two
strikes is matter of record and can
not in any way be distorted.
There is no dispute about the loyal
American citizenship Of the men on
strike, nor will anyone question that
many of them gave everything that
men can give for the service OF their
country in the World war. Nor is it
disputed that the men on strike are
exercising their constitutional and law
full rights. under existing statutes. in
declining to work under the terms de-
cided by the railroad labor board or
rendered to the workmen by the mine
operators of the country.
No Attempt to Draft Men
mo one has attempted or proposed
TO draft men into the railway or mining
service or suggested coercion under
military force. The military forces of
free America are never used for such
n pnrpose. Their service is only that
of preventing lawlessness and violence.
That same unchallenged freedom which
permits you and your associates to
decline to work is no less the heritage
of the free American who chooses to
accept employment under the terms
proposed The difference between the
two positions is that the striking raii.
road workers exercise their rights OF
freedom in seeking to hinder the neces-
sary transportation of the country.
Notwithstanding the provision by law
for the consideration of any just griev-
ance: and the striking miners seek TO
prevent the production OF coal neces-
sorv to common welfare. notwithstand-
ing the offer of an agency to make an
ant
who choose to work in response TO the
call of the country are exercising their
like rights. and at the same time are
making their contribution to our COM
mon American welfare.
Think Rail Board Fair
.1rhe decisions of the railroad labor
board are in compliance with mandate
of the law making body of the United
States. Without discussing the deer
sions at issue. it is fair TO assume that
a government agency is ever ready 10
correct an error which Is made, else
government itself would become ,un-
inst Moreover. it is indisputable that
there can be no government unless It's
mandates are accepted by the citixen-
ship of the republic. This Observation
relates more particularly to the rail-
road SITUATION, wien tuV HihiuS SAe
nation became menacing. l invited rep
resentatiyes of the mine workers and
the operators to conference. They
came together. they were advised as
to the call Of common welfare, yet in
eight days of opportunity no progress
was made.
In the absence of any tribunal au-
thorized to settle disputes between
mine workers and their employers. the
federal government then voluntarily
proposed the creation Of national
commission before which the disputes
might be settled justly, in the light of
full information and in accordance
with the best expressions Of our mod
ern civilization. Instead Of contem-
plating the resort to force. 1t anticipat-
ed the very opposite-industrial peace
with justice to every man concerned.
Instead of aiming at involuntary servi-
tude,' to which you inexcusably refer,
the government asked the mine work
ers to resume their activities. in re-
sponsc to a manifest public need. at