Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1922-04-06
Lewis Tells House Labor Body
I That Operators Are to
Blame.
OPPOSED TO INTERVENTION
President Of United Mine Workers OF
America Says Owners Broke
Pledge-Resumption Depends
/ on Attitude of Operators.

hdSUluSlODt Aplll phioh ~S''
miners who quite work Saturday II
the nations bituminous and anthracite
fields were declared by John l.. Lewis
president of the United Mine WORK
ers of America, to be DESTROYS of end
ing "the suspension of mining opera
tions at the earliest possible date" but
''tbe resumption Of coal production en-
tirely depends upon the future atti
tude of the coal operators"
Mr.. Lewis made his assertion before
the house labor committee hearing
on the Bland resolution TO direct ap
pointment by the President of com
mission TO investigate the coal indus
try.
Miners for investigation.
Discussing the resolution under con
alteration, the United Mine Workers
president stated that his organization
would welcome "any impartial and
judicial investigation Of the general
conditions in the bituminous and an
thracite coal industries, and especially
the facts relating to investments and
profits, operating practices, conserva-
fiOn of fuel resources, application OF
uniform methods Of safeguarding life
and limb of the workers and Industrial
relations and conditions.
"Such an investigating body" he
added, Should be clothed with full
power to ascertain the truth, to send
for persons and papers, and to take
testimony under oath. The personnel
Of such a commission should be free
from political equations, and the mine
workers should be given adequate rep
resentation thereon.
"As TO the adjustment Of controver-
sizes between operators and mine work
ers, we have been additionally OPP
posed to government intervention. We
have been convinced by experience
that such adjustment may be more eff
fectively and equitably worked out
both in the interest of the public and
of those engaged In the industry by
conference and agreement between
representatives OF the operators and
the mine workers.
Blames Operators for Strike.
IF the operators had maintained
their contract with us the present
deplorable condition OF affairs in the
soft coal industry would not have
arisen.
"Our experience with labor adjust
ment boards or commissions has been
that representatives of the public, not
having a knowledge OF the technique
of the coal mining industry and not
being completely informed as to diff
ferent conditions, ms might be expect
ed, are not In n position to reach as
satisfactory conclusions as those who
are actively engaged in the practical
operation of the mine.
"The United Mine Workers regret
more than any one else the. necessity
for a suspension OF work by the
union coal miners OF the country. We
have done everything humanity pos
sible 10 avoid the suspension. For
months past we have fought hard TO
induce the hituminous coal operators
TO keep faith with us and with the
government, and meet us in Joint con-
ference, so that new wage and work
ing agreement might be made that
would maintain industrial peace and
prevent public inconvenience"
Cites Agreement Clause.
Mr.. Lewis pointed out that in a
Joint conference on March 81, 1920, a
two-year agreement was signed cover
ing wages and working conditions and
providing for an interstate Joint con.
ference, to be held prior 10 April. /,
1922.
The coal operators had refused
point-blags, he said to do as they had
agreed.
I'm the face of such brazen and un-
compromising attitude on the part OF
the coal operators" Mr.. Lewis cuntin.
ued. "the mine workers had no alter.
native but TO quit their work when
the agreement expired and await the
making OF another, agreement flxine
their schedule of wages and govern
Ing their conditions of employment.
ut is recognized by all thoughtful
men that in the end an agreement
must be effected through the accred
tied representatives OF the organized
mine workers of the country, and 4,
is particularly unfortunate that hun
dreds Of thousands of men must b,
withdrawn from industry TO the detrl
ment OF the social and economic well
being Of our country before a ioin,
conference can be held and an. agree
ment negotiated.
"The public can follow its own req
soning in defining the motives OF IN,
operators. Whether II be their mer,
sordid desire TO further enrich thel,
own teemlng Golfers or whether IL b,
their futile hope 20 destroy the Unite,
Mine Workers OF America and beat tn,
miners backward II Is equally repre-
hensible.
Despite the failure OF our preyiou,
attempts 10 secure meeting with III,
coei operators for the purpose OF ne