Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-08-19

Washington. Aug. IS (by the AS
sociated Press, The text of Pres
ident Harding's address to congress
on the industrial situation follows,
in part:
Gentlemen Of the Congress:
1T is manifestly my duty to
bring to your attention the indus
trial situation which confronts the
country. The situation growing out
of the prevailing railway and coal
mining strikes is so serious, so
menacing to the nation's welfare.
that J. should be renaiss .if [
failed frankly to lay the matter be-
fore you and at the same time ac-
quaint you and the whole people
with such efforts as the executive
branch of the government has
made by the voluntary exercise of
its good offices to effect a settle
ment.
THE suspension OF the coal in
dustry dates back TO last April /,
when the working agreement be-
tween mine operators and the Unit
ed Mine Workers came to an end.
that expiration of con-
tract which was negotiated with
governments sanction in 1920 the
present administration sought, as
early as last October, conference
between the operators and miners
In order to facilitate either a new or
extended agreement in order to
avoid any suspension Of produc-
ion when April 1 arrived. At that
line the mine workers declined to
confer. though the operators were
agreeable, the mine workers exCus-
ng their declination on the ground
hat the union officials could have
10 authority to negotiate until after
heir annual convention.
Operators Declined.
A short time prior TO the expira-
ion of the working agreement the
nine workers invited a conference
With the operators in the centra
field, covering the
tates Of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indi-
ina and Illinois, and in spite of the
inion declination of the govern
nents informal suggestion for the
government. informally but sincere
Y. commended the conference, but
t was declined by certain groups
# operators, and the coal mining
ended in the strike of
april !. 1t was instantly made |
Iation wide, so far as the organized !
nine workers could control. and in !
luded many districts in the btu
ninous field where there was |
either grievance nor dispute and
ffected complete lie up of the |
production in the anthracite field. |
1t is to be noted that when the |
uspension began large stocks of
oal were on hand, mined at wages
igher than those paid during tho I
far. There was, only the buying
npelled by necessity and there was
belief that coal must yield to the
st-war readjustment. When the
tocks on hand began to reach such |
iminution as to menace industry |
nd hinder transportation, approx
nately June /, overtures were in
lated by the government in the
ope of expediting settlement. None
I these availed. individual and
istrict tenders of settlement on the
art of operators-in some instances
ppeals for settlement--were Who'll
: unavaillng. The dominant groups
mong the operators were insistent
n having district agreements; the
ominant mine workers were de-
landing a nation wide settlement.
he government being without au-
lority to enforce strike settle
lent in the coal industry, could
My volunteer its good office in
nding a way of adjustment.
Conference Called.
Accordingly conference of the
oal Operators associations and
le general and district officials
the United Mine Workers was
llled to meet in Washington on
lily j.. The designation of repre-
ntation was left to the officials I
the various organizations and :
ere was nation wide representa- 4
on except from u c non-union {
elds of the country. Before the ,
int meeting l expressed the deep /
'ncern of the country and In {
ted them to meet at conference 6
BILE and end the disputes between /
EN-. The conference did not de- [
lop even hope. The operators 7
ere asked for their district or I
conferences: the workers d
'manded national settlement on ' d