New-York tribune., 1922-05-28
Nation / acino
/ nci anime.
Lewis Assert.
Predicts a Union Victory
Declares Statesmen Arc I'M
taling the Action Of lhe
Famous Fiddler Of Rome


9pc(to' u epntcb "a Tfc Tri5arc
INDIANAPOLIS. May q Definite
prediction that the miners win win tne
national coal strike. warning that tne
country is on thc verge Of fuel fam
inc and The charge that the operators
IN non-union fields have put ~ prices
for their product 100 per cent and arc
increasing them still further were
among the most important points o.
statement issued mere today by John
L. Lewis president Of the United Nine
Workers Of America
The statement, which IS addressed
to officers and members Of the union.
also declares that "thc statesmen of
the country are initiating the action o.
the famous fiddler Of Rome because
Of their inaction concerning the strike.
In beginning the statement Mr.. Lewis
terms the strike "a struggle Of the
greatest magnitude in the history Of
organized labor" pictures the miners
as "waging a fight for the benefit Of a.
wage workers of the country, and ac-
cuses the fnancia, and industrial n
tcrests Of "systematically imposing
wage reductions upon the workers
without regard 10 the clements Of JUS
tice or the ability Of the workers to
accept them
Millions Expended, Charge
The coal operators Of the country
have acted in concert N seeking 10
apply this program and millions of dol
lar have been spent in an endcavor 70
influence public opinion against the
workers. the statement continues.
This gigantic effort has been IN vain
and the strike OF the United Nine
Workers has become an object lesson
TO the entire nation
with the eighth week Of the strike
row in effect. many coal operators and
a large par. Of the thinking public are
beginning 20 recognize that the mime
workers cannot and VII net be beaten
in such a contest. More than 100000
anthracite and bituminous mine work
ers are on strike. The morale Of our
people is high. Their loyalty and thor
determination arc manifest Inc
strike can and will be continued 10
successful conclusion"
After reiteratng the stand that the
union will not enter into district nego-
tiations. desired by the operators, the
statement asserts that the strike sit
uation is excellent and that the pro-
ouction Of coal in consequence has
heen curtailed to the greatest degree
ever known in this country Then is
gees on:
Called Domestic Calamity
The suspension Of work 10 the min
ing industry may be rightfully termed
a domestic calamity. a full rcaliza-
ton of its import has not yet dawned
upon the American public. The &C
/ lot, rf 10
try are being rapidly diminished and
the much-hcralded non-union produc-
tIon is totally inadequate 20 care for
the nations needs.
prices Of coal at the mine in the
non-union fields have increased more
than 100 per cent, and will continue to
! ascend. despite the efforts Of govern
mental agencies to control the Sltua-
ton by voluntary effort A national
coal famine is impending. and the coal
consuming public VIII again be COM
pelled 10 bear the burden Of further
price cxtortions for the benefit Of the
operating interests which pose as pub
lie benefactors.
The United Mine Workers disclaim
responsibility for this situation. We
have frequently pointed out the indus
trial and commercial possibilities
which accrue to those who have delib-
cratey forced Il shut down in the min-
ing industry.
"The country viii shortly awaken to
the fact that its fuel needs for the
coming winter and its industrial re-
quirements are in jeopardy In the
mean time non-union coal operators
are marketing their coal a an enor-
NOUS price and the statesmen of the
country are initiating The example Of
the famous dadier OF Rome. Tn AM
lean people should righttullr demand
an accounting for this tuation."