New-York tribune., 1922-04-04
Lewis Asks
Government
TO Run Mines
tcsn,inusd from paae enc,


acter."
On the points in connection with
possible government action, however.
NV Lewis WAS positive. These were
1hat there should be on Impartial and
judicial investigation" OF the coal IN.
oustr5, along scientific lines. and that
there should not be q mine labor board
on the order Of the United States Rail.
road Labor Board.
Asked for his objections to such q
board, in the course Of a spirited brush
With Representative Eugene BlacI, of
Texas, he attacked the Railroad Labor
BOARD az having reached many of its
oeclslons without regard to the cvi.
oence. lie also declared in emphatic
terms that the miners would use ali
tnclr powers in opposition 10 the
setting up OF any tribunal possess jnr
1he power 70 TX wages and make such
uaGIslons binding. terming this "coln-
puisofy arbltration" and declaring that
previous attempts to conduct such n
tribunal have failed. In this he bsd
reference to the Kansas Industrial
Court, regarded by organized labor
generally as an arch enemy,
AS to the adjustment Of controvc--
e4cS between operators and mine own
er'' says a portion OF the first of
Two statements read by Mr.. Lewis.
constituting what vas termed "th,,
miners brief before the American peo-
pie' We have been traditionally op-
posed to governmental Intervention.
We have been convinced bv experi
ence that such adjustm ents NAV be
more effectively and equitably worked
out, both in the interest of the public
and of those engaged in the industry,
py conference and agreement between
representatives of the operators and
the. mine workers. If the operators
had maintained their contract with us
the present deplorable condition of al
fairs in the soft coal industry would
not have arisen.
Welcome Impartial Inquiry
"Our experience with labor adjust
ment boards or commissions has been
that repre- sentatives Of the public, not
having a knowledge Of the technique
Of the coal mining industry and not
being completely Informed as to dif-
ferent conditions, arc not in position
to reach as satisfactory conclusions
as those who are actively engaged in
the practical operation OF the mines.
"The United Mine Workers would
welcome any impartial and judicial in
vestigation Of the general conditions
in the bituminous and anthracite coal
industries" continued the statement,
"and especially the facts relating to
Investments and profits, operating prac-
tices, conservation Of fuel resources,
safeguarding the life and limb Of the
workers and industrial relations and
conditions.
Assails Bituminous Operators
"Such al Investigating body should
be clothed with full power to ascer-
tain the truth, to send for persons and
oath. The personne! Of such commits
sion should be free from political
equation and the mine workers should
be given adequate representation
thereon
Practically ali The remainder o2 this
''bricf" is devoted to reviewing the re-
fusal Of the soft coal operators TO meet
the miners, In admitted violation 81
the old agreement. Quoting Phil II.
Pcnna, Of the Indiana operators, as
having said in statement, made e.
clusively to The New Yori; Tribune,
that he 'could not deny that our re-
agreement Mr.. Lewis charged shat
az the operators were to refuse to
liqu;date their financial obligations it
would be 10 more disnonoraole than
their refusal to keep their solemn
agreement with the mine workers"
"The responsibility for this condi-
tion," Mr.. Lewis told the CongressIren,
"nust rest clearly upon tie shoulders
OF the coal operators, who have nag
rantly and arrogantly refused to carry
out their obligations and meet the
so;
"rhe;r attitude should rightfully
bring down upon them the moral ca.ti-
CATION Of sn outraged citizenship. The
publ;c can follow its own reasoning in
defining the motives OF the operators.
Whether it be their mere sordid de-
sire further to enrich their own tcenl-
ing Golfers or whether it be their futile
hope TO destroy the United Mine Work
ers and beat the miners backward, II
, is equally reprehensible.
Despite the failure Of our previous
attempts to. secure meeting with the
coal operators for the purpose Of nego-
workers are still ready to meet at any
time such meeting is possible. II is
our desire to terminate the suspen-
sion OF mining operations at the
earliest possible date, and our repre-
sentatives will attend any proper meet
ing which may be assembled for such
purpose. The resumption Of Goa! pro
ducSion entirely depends upon the
future attitude Of the coal operators"
Prepared to Meet Operators
Tie first surprise sprung by Nr.
Lewis, the petition on the nat!onaliza-
tion, was in one section OF the other
prepared staten ent, but the second was
brought out through cross,eSan!iMa-
ton, during which he pointed out that
the central competitive fields settle
ments had for many years. furnished
the basis OF all other bituminous wage
and working agreements. He said that
the operators Of other districts, terne d
the "outlying" sections. would not at
tempt to reach agreements With the
union until the central field agreement
/ had first been established as base
"despite the statements they are giTlns
! the press"
"Mr. Lewis" said Representa- tive
! Nolan, chairman Of the House Labor
! Committee, "in view Of the fact that
! the operators Of western Pennsylvania
and southern Ohio appear to be tn.
! stumbling block in this situation, would
| you be willing to go into conference
| Tor q settlement with the other opera
! tors outside those two states II they
car be assembled for suc!, purpose? %
"Ii you can get together a number
OF the operators controlling 8 tonnage
/ sufficient TO establish g basic agree
h>