New-York tribune., 1922-03-28
Prepared to Take Action
10 Prevent Importations
From Mines in Britain.
Says Big Union Official
Seamen Also May
Oppose U. S. Plans
Anthracite Conference
Takes Up Questions of
Miners Wage Demands

Longshoremen Of the United States.
the third group in The triple alliance
formed in Chicago between their
unoa, the mine workers and the rail
road brothcrhoods, are prepared to
take any necessary steps to prevent
the importation Of British coal into
this country in an effort to brea,;
the miners strike" set for April /.
This declaration was made yesterday
by Joseph P. Ryan, international vice
president Of the ongshorenen's
Union, when he was shown reports
from Washington that the Administra
ton might authorize the use OF United
States Shipping Board vessels to i'm
port coal as cargo ballast at low
freight rates after the miners strike
begins.
The government official, have can
vassed the coal situation in all its an
giles and have decided that could Goa,
be imported from Britain the supply
here could be raised to al amount that
would last fully twelve months The
importation Of British and other Goa
would be hard blow to the operators
as var as trade near the scaboard is con-
ccrncd. Nevertheless, it would tend tc
prevent any increase of price in thi,
country, especially in localities close
enough TO ports to keep rail charge:
down.
"Wc viii make plans for co-operat-
ing with the miners in the near fu-
ture," said Mr.. Ryan. although the
next regular meeting Of our district
council is scheduled for April O. VIC
vii! call an earlier meeting if neccs-
sary Iho longshorcmen may vote not
only to extend their moral support tc
IN strikers, but also to refuse to han
die coal brought in from England"
Seaman Watching Developments
Similar action may be taken by the
indicated by l.. a. Parks, agent fol-
Andrew Furuseth. president of the
union, was in Washington watching de-
Vclopments in connection with the Ad-
mlnlstration's Shipping Board propos-
al Many members OF the union are
employed on Shipping Board Vessels.
Refusal OF the longshoremen ant
seamen to handle British coal durino
the strike would mean at the very least
serious blow TO plans made by the
shipping interests for providing thei,
vessels with coal during the walk-out
J; was said: A tempering circumstances
however. is that vessels with large
bunker space can load sufficient coal ir
Europe to last them for trans Atlantic
round trips.
How much effect the shutting off OF
British coal would have on the ma.
tional strike situation has not yet beer
determined.
On resuming their sessions ycster.
day at the Union League Club Nom.
bers OF the anthracite sub-scale com.
mittce took up two specific points ir
the miners demands-equalizntio OF
wages whore mechanical leaders are
introduced at the hard coal mines, 8
question largely arising from condi.
the institution of :; uniform wage scale
for the entire hard coal region.
Statement From Committee
The following official communiqus
was issued after the session.:
The second part OF the first de
mands of the minc workers, asking
where mechanical loading is done tn,
committee and company officials shall
have authority to establish proper
rates, was before the committee The
mine workers. leaders explained to tbs
meeting their ideas as to how rate
should be cata blishcd when mechanical
leaders are introduced into the mine:
in the anthracite region.
The third demand of the mine work
ers was also considered. This read
as follows: IN conformity with th'
thought expressed in the award of til,
~
mission, we demand that uniform
wage scale be established, SO that th'
various occupations Of like characte
Continued on psss three