The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1922-08-02

Reject
Lewis Call.
Head of u. M. W. Asks Mine
Owners to Farley With
Miners on Wages at Cleve.
land Monday.
Federal Bureau Busy

Philadelphia, Pa. Aug. l-(By A
PA joint wage conference Of op.
orators and miners of the central
competitive bituminous fields, to b.
held in Cleveland next Monday fol
tho purpose Of negotiating q basic
agreement designed to terminate the
present coal strike, was called today
by John L. Lewis, international
president Of the United Mine Work
ers.
President Lewis also summoned
the general policy committee Of the
union to meet in Cleveland at the
same time for the purpose of acting
promptly upon Developments as they
may occur in the joint wage confer
ence. All men will remain on strike
until an agreement or definite un-
derstanding is reached.
Telegram to Operators.
The following telegram was sent
today to the operating interests in
the central competitive fields, which
includes western Pennsylvania, Ohio,
Indiana and Illinois:
philadelphia, Pa, Aug. I, 1922.
"Ih behalf Of the United Mine
Workers, l am herewith inviting the
coal operators of the central COMPETE
tive field to meet in joint interstate
conference at the Hollendon hotel,
Cleveland, O., at 10 o'clock a. m.
Monday, August J, 1922, for the ear-
pose of negotiating a basic wage
agreement, designed to terminate pres
ent suspension in the mining indus
try. I express the sincere hope that
the interests represented by you will
find it possible to participate in the
joint negotiation.
(Signed.) JOHN L. LEWIS,
president United Mine Workers Of
America"
Lewis Issues Statement.
In connection with the call for the
conference, President
Lewis gave out the following state
mcnt: ss -
In issuing an invitation to the coal
operators Of the central competitive
field to assemble in joint conference
m Cleveland on August 2, am actua-
ted by the highest consideration Of
public welfare and the impelling
necessity for an early adjudication
of the issues involved in the
and anthracite coal fields.
This strike, unparalleled in its
magnitude, is now in its 18th week
and constitutes an industrial con-
vulsion which menaces the financial
and social fabric Of our nation.
Aside from the tremendous personal
sacrifices so bravely endured by the
mine workers the strike is exact
ing penalties from every citizen Of
ouf land and is clogging the chan
nels of commerce and disturbing the
realms of finance and credit through
out the civilized world. Its effect
will continue to be felt long after
its termination and the burden will
fall heaviest upon those least able
to bear it.
Where Reason Will Predominate.
I'm consideration of these facts,
and Notwithstanding the powerful
position Of advantage now enjoyed
by the mine workers, we have re-
solved to again attempt to assemble
a conference where passion will be
and reason predominant. We
are able to fight indefinitely, but
much prefer the pursuits of peace to
the ills Of industrial warfare. We
feel that the American public will
support our offer to meet at the con-
ference table and will encourage the
corporate interests involved to have
their Representative present.
"The making Of basic settlement
in the central competitive field will
permit of an immediate following
settlement in all of the outlying BIZ
luminous coal districts and should
pave the way for an immediate ad-
justment in the anthracite coal fields
as well"
"Those who block the success Of
such a conference by refusal to par
ticipate should be made to bear full
responsibility for the continuing sit
uation."
Eight From Each State.
1t is expected the makeup Of the
will follow as nearly as
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