The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1922-04-11
COAL STRIKERS AND
FAMILIES STARVING
MINERS BLOC MAKES APPEAR.
ANCE IN CONGRESS
Representative Ricketts, Forces Open
Consideration Of Strike Against
Opposition Of Leader
Ey John Goldstram

Washington, April striking
coal miners and their families in the
Hooking valley are starving, Con-
gress was told on the floor Of the
house today by Representative Ed
win D. Ricketts,, Republican, Ohio,
himself former miner.
Ricketts, forced open consideration
of the strike against the opposition
of Republican Floor Leader Mondell
and signalized the first appearance in
congress of miners bloc. Into ac-
ton with him went Chairman Nolan
of the house labor committee which
has been hearing testimony from both,
sides; Edward E. Denison, Illinois,
both Republicans and Ben Johnson,
Democrat, Kentucky and Meyer Lon
don, New York city.
First Battle Lost
They lost their first battle II to SO,
on an amendment to the appropria-
tions bill by Denison prohibiting the
department of justice from using
funds to prosecute combinations of
labor organizations in the interest OF
higher wages and better working con-
ditions.
Mondell, defending the administra-
ton led the opposition to the amend
ment. He said:
"This amendment would show lack
OF faith in the officers of our govern
ment and would accuse them of a mo-
tive to persecute instead Of prose
cute"
Fsfrnefs Included
An amendment BY John9oh to IN
clude farmers with organized labor
was voted, rs to SO. After. a sabsti-
tute amendment by London to couple
the two amendments had been lost
go to 4s. Denison,s original amend
ment was defeated. -
Most of the afternoon was given to
discussion of the amendments, which
Mondell said because he wanted the
house to get through with the appto-
priation bill.
Ricketts, contended that the coal
strike crisis constituted the most i'm
portant condition before the country
today.
seIn my district" he said there are
1926 mines and more than 5000 min
ers. In the last year they have work
ed less than 100 days at an average
scale of $3.50 day, earning less
than $3.50 in the last twelve months,
$14.4O week.
Propaganda False
'The propaganda spread through
out the country to the effect that high
wages are to blame for the coal prices
is absolutely false. Many of the strik-
ers, their wives and children in the
Hooking valley district are starving
today, I know of 127 families which
are receiving charity.
'It is highly important, the most
important thing before the country
today that an agreement be reached
between the miners and the operators
and the strike ended"
Nolan, himself a former leader OF
organized labor in California voted
with the labor and farmer amend
ments. Representatives Oscar E.
Bland, Republican, Indiana, father
of the bill to have the president ap-
point a commission of three 10 inves-
tigate tne coal industry, voted with
Mondell
One Witness Heard
The only witness before tne house
labor committee today was John
Brophy, president Of the United Mine
Workers of Central Pennsylvania who
said:
Mining is carried on in the dark
ness underground. The business OF
coal financing and coal selling is car
ried on in the darkness of secret spec
ulation, secret profits and secret re-
sales. The result is sick industry.
eve suggest that a single picto-
rial idea of the robbery of the puoiic
be made by tracing the journey OF
loaded coal cars from the mine to the
consumer"