The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-02-27
UN0NLEADERS' SPEBKA7TBIGRANY
HELD IN SCOTS run DISTRICT.
Continued From Page one)

YIu rage OHeJ
periences indicate that the miners
will show them a firm hand after
the first Of April. / have never
known the miners to walk into a
general strike when they had an
opportunity TO negotiate joint
wage agreement, and have never
known when operators failed that
they would walk out OF a fight
either.
History Proves Success
In 1910 when strike was on,
the operators started to tell US
then they would break down the
union. We have you licked be-
cause you have no money in your
treasury they said, but the
miners stood a six months strike
and forced q wage agreement to
be signed. In the southwestern
states, where ] have been located
we will find that portion Of the
nation with the central competi-
tive field, and the northwest will
be striking il the operators don't
negotiate. They will find US out
until we get wage agreement.
"ln 1919 they were not going
to meet US and negotiate, hlb
they agreed to negotiate an agrsE
ment before we went to work
didn't they? II we are vacillate
and accept their statements, gen
tlemen, there is apt to be danger
ahead.
Against Open Shop
~ have dug coal 43 years and
a portion OF the time along the
Monongahela river. For 20 years
worked under the open shop
plan. In those open shop days
prior to the United Mine Workers
of America, what was the condl-
ton? They worked any kind OF a
day, 10, IL or II hours, for the
paltry sum OF $3.50 and upwards
a day, didn't they? All the dead
work was considered in the ton
mage rate. II you didn't like the
work or condition, or IL you made
complaint, you were told to take
your tools out because they did
not want you. You had no way
Of taking up grievances and pro-
tecting yourself. 1t was a case Of
drifting from bad to worse con-
tinuously. Your duty is plain.
You have built up an organization
that commands your respect.
Keep up that system of making
joint wage agreements.
Success II Unit
az know what the results will
be, providing the United Mine
Workers OF America are unit.
No one has ever been able to des-
troy a labor organization. The
steel corporation has never been
able to destroy the steel workers.
The steel workers themselves des-
troyed 1t because they gave 1t up.
If the miners union is destroyed,
1t will be destroyed by the miners
because you made 1t.
1t will then be you that will be-
come vassals Of your own inven-
tlon. I've dug coal in almost every
state in the union and never saw
a coal company that could work
me non-union. They can't run
those mines unless you are in
them. An open-shopper is a poor
ignoramus who doesn't know
what union protection means.
Judge Gary is the advocate OF
the open shop in this nation and
the banking interests are behind
him. No union man who under
stands listens ten minutes to adj
vocates OF the open shop. Every
man must cast a vote. Every
man casting a vote against sus-
pension is casting a vote against
himself, his fellow man and his
family. The cry for reduction
comes from the other side"
Mr.. Bailey then discussed the
last wage agreement made and
how tho award OF the United
States bituminous coal commits
sIon's report was the existing con-
tract predicted. IA break in that
contract would have been to
break faith with the United Mine
Workers, with the government OF
the United States and millions Of
people Of the United States. Ger
tain operators have refused to
carry out the written terms Of
the contract" he declared.
Continuing Mr. Bailey said
that "our policy is stated very
plainly and our stand Is that the
contract must be carried out.
Are Still Broke
"our opportunities are just as
good as they ever were. Don't let
them Brighten you. You have
nothing now" NO" answered
the chorus to which Mr.. Bailey
replied: Then, you're holding
your own.
"Then it Is the same condition:
You'll have nothing to start with
and nothing TO finish with. These
are the conditions that prevail
among workers. generally.
Principles Prevail
Even II 1t were In the province
OF the operators to break the
United Mine Workers, and ques-
ton whether 1t is, United Mine
Workers principles will still pre-
vail. You might crush the name
but you cannot crush the princi-
pie. Unlonism creates working
conditions for its own protection.
Sixty per cent Of the coal tonnage
OF this nation is produced by the
fields in which the United Mine
Workers of America hold sway.
Environment, circumstances and
conditions force unionism. Years
ago, when re rural life was more
Eanpral this was mt az Annn rnnf