New-York tribune., 1922-04-06
Miners Stand
Unassailable.
Asserts Lewis
Union Chief on Arrival Here
Says the Public Is Im-
pressed With the Justice
of Demands of Workers
Satisfied With Strike
Exhibits Showing Hazards
Of Work in Shafts Offered
al the Anthracite Parley

Josn L. Lewis, president of the
United Mine Workers of America, upon
Ills arrival here from Washington YES
terday. interpreted the action of the
HouSe Labor Committee in inviting the
teadfng bitun1inous coal operators to
conf$r with union representatives on
April 10 as indicating that the com
mittee and the public had been favor
ably impressed with the justice of the
workers stand. He insisted that the
miners case. as submitted by him to
the House committee. vas "unassail-
able
Mr. Lewis came to New York 20 take
bis place a. the head OF the miners
delegation now comforting with repre-
Sent2tlves OF the hard coal operators
on the question Of u new wags and
working agreement.
AT yesterdays session the rn;on
leaders continued the presentation Of
fhe workers ease with the submission
Of numerous exhibits and data respect-
ing the hazards and possibilities of
me miners occupation. They took the
stand that especially on this ground
tne miner was entitled to a 20 per cent
increase in wages. The union repre-
sentatives expect to complete the pres
entation OF their side Tomorrow
Operators Ask Federal Censure
Another development in the strike
situation was the issuance of an open
letter to Secretary of Labor Davis by
Il. Nj. Ciark, president of the Associa-
ton OF Bituminous Coal Operators Of
Central Pennsylvania. in which the lat
ter urged Mr. Davis TO Severely criti-
else tho United Mine Workers Of Amer
lca for calling "a national strike in di-
rect violation Of their contract obliga-
tons becspse of difference of opin-
ION between 3 minority group of opera
AmerIcA o. the central competitive
field"
The general strike situation was
summed up b. M. Lewis as 100 per
cent walkou1." We we're entirely
satisfied he said, with what has
been accomplished through our testi-
mony before the House Labor Com
mittee. We are content with the man
ner in which the case of the miners
was presented and the public's recep-
ton of it, we feel. was d sympathetic
one. The case of the workers as sub
nitted by US is unassaiiab
The miners delegation at the CON
ference with the operators in the
Union League Club was headed vester-
day by Philip Murray, vice -presid
Of the mine workers international, MI
Lewis having arrived too late to par
ticipate. In support of the hard coal
miners demand for 20 per cent in
crease Cor contract workers and 81 q
day more for day laborers, Mr.. Murray
said ne stressed the hazards and the
high mortality among men employed in
the mines.
He introduced mortality tables which
showed mortality rate 81 per cent
higher than that among men in other
occupations. He said miners had great
difficulty in obtaining life insurance
and that policies in excess of $500 are
denied contract miners. while day la
horers can only obtain insurance fol
$3.50. Rates for insurance for this class
of worker were much higher, too, thar
other classes.
OPERATOR Letter to Davis
Mr.. Clark, IN charging that the mine
workers OF district No. in Pennsyl.
vsnia had gone on strike in direct VIC
iation Of their agreement with the
operators and insisting that Secretary
Davis publicly criticize them, says il
his open letter to Mr.. Davis:
am pIeSA.Sllt, ana nave Oee0 fOl
number o. Years. OF the Association
OF Bitumnous Coal Operators of Cen.
trail Pennsylvania, which has functionec
solely for the purpose Of negotiating
concluding and executing scale agree
ments with the United Mine Workers
of America. District No 2, which has
membership Of union miners With.
the district varying from time 10 time
from 10000 TO 10000. The members o1
the operators association are employ
ers OF union labor, and Lave thyougi
rs association met in conference with
the officials and scale committees o
the United Mime Workers of Amer;c,
of District No. 2, and successfully ne
gclated and concluded wage seal,
agreements for about twcnty-thret
years. These contracts have only an
piled TO the central district of Pennsyl
vania, which district has never been
member or took part in Ihe negotiating
OF scale agreements in what is know
as the central competitive field, con
,sisting of Illinois. Indiana, Ohio ant
the Pittsburgh district OF wcster'
= Pcnns sylvania
Tells of Conference Offer
"On March 8, 1922, l. as president O
the association, wrote to John Rrophv
president of the United Mine Worker
Of America Of District Nc =, al Gle, =
field. Pa, as follows: Please advise IN
at once what date will suit for confer
ence OF our respective scale committee
Tor the purpose of negotiating scal