The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1922-03-23
STRIKEESURE,
LEWIS INSISTS
Doubts Even if President
Can Halt Suspension
Of Work April 1.
READY TO CONFER
Meeting of Anthracite Sub
Committee Fails to Bring
Agreement.

NEW YORK March 22-Interven-
ton by President Harding in the
coal strike situation. even to the
extent of arranging a new series
of neg citations between the bitUni-
nous operators and their employees.
cannot prevent the suspension of
work scheduled for April l. Presi-
dent John L. Lewis. of the United
Mine Workers. declared tonight.
I'VE would have to have a very
good reason before we would re-
scind the suspension order" Lewis
said. He pointed out that although
negotiations between the anthracite
operators and their employees wcrr
now in progress. the anthracite
fields were no less affected by the
order. and added that since tn"
order was issued he had received
no communication from Washington.
President Lewis reiterated. how
ever. that the bituminous workcrs
operators. and that their attitude :r
this respect will remain un-
changed.
"Mca.iinSIess." He Says.
when advised that Frank Earring
ton. leader of the Illinois miners
had announced his intention Of con-
tinTing fight to open separate
negotiations with the operators in
that State. Lewis characterized Far
rington's statement as 'inconse-
puential.' but declined to discuss
the matter further.
Later. however, he intimated that
all this crying about single state
20
the reason that competition in the
central competitive field. compris-
ing western Pennsylvania. Ohio. In
diana and Illinois coal mines, was
so keen that no one group Of oper-
ators would venture 10 enter into
wage agreements with it's workers
except in conjunction with the rest.
To Meet in Cleveland.
Lewis and the three delegates from
each anthracite district. elected
here. will leave tomorrow night
for Cleveland to attend the meet
ing of the United Mine Workers
policy Com<nittee. which will direct
the strike.
The joint subcommittee OF union
officials and anthracite operators
had another session today. at which
anthracite mine workers for a 90
per cent wage increase for contrac:
miners and a 81 a day increase for
day men. 1t was stated afterwarC
that neither the miners nor the op-
orators. who will demand a reduc-
tion in wages. had indicated Il
possibility of a change in their
spective attitudes.
Both Sides ConciIiatory.
This session. President Lewis de-
elared, had done nothing to change
the situation, and nothing had been
eliminated from the negotiations.
The only progress was that the con-
ference had finally got down to the
specific issues, which will probably
be taken up in their order of impor-
tance. The other two principal de-
mands of the miners call for an eX-
tension of the eight-hour day to
all mine workers and the applica-
tion of the check-off system.
The attitude of both sides, it was
declared. is still conciliatory. While
no especial effort is being made to
reach a settlement before the sus-
pension occurs April 1, the negotia-
tions are proceeding as rapidly as
possible. Lewis said.
But you will remember" he con-
tinued. that two years ago il took
from March 8 to September to
reach a new agreement in the an
thracite industry"
Lewis was shown a news story
quoting an alleged statement from
the national Industrial board that
the anthracite miners had received
wage increases ,aggregating $50
per cent
"The industrial board is repre-
senting the employing groups of
several industries" he replied. "and
such an assertion is positively ap-
surd. Even the operators will agree
that the miners have received an
increase of only IS per cent since
1916"