Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-04-05

be demanded, and to charge tn
ing in precipitating the strike.
Daugherty Watches For Disorder
A possible divergence between the
views of members of congress and
those of the administration. however
was seen when Attorney General
Daugherty issued statement reiter-
ating that 1.-The government is not un-
dertaking to do anything in the pres
ent situation of the coal matter de-
elaring that men have a right to quit
work and men have right to employ
other men, that the public was not
menaced with coal shortage and that
1t was the duty of local authorities to
maintain order.
The government would not look with
favor upon coal price increases, Mr..
Daugherty said. adding that he "saw
disorder need be feared but asserted
that the government will perform
whatever may be its duty in the
premises" if local and state agencies
cannot maintain peace
Lewis Willing to Set Basis
The house committee action came
after its members had spent two
days listening to its discussion of the
strike from the miners viewpoint by
John l.. Lewis. president of the
United Mine Workers. Mr.. Lewis
assured the committee he would ad-
wise his associates to negotiate with
ANY representative group of oper-
ators from the central field, which in
cludes Illinois. Indiana. Ohio and
western Pennsylvania, even though
not all the operators could be in
duced TO deal again with the union.
The union. he insisted. would not and
could not settle the dispute in other
states until this basis had been es-
tahlished for national wage level.
The committee decided to appeal di-
rectly to the representative of oper-
ators' groups in the states named and
Mr.. Lewis at night declared "it had
put forward proposition worth con-
sidering"
Operators Broke Pact, Says Lewis
However. l kave no notion of what
the operators will do" he said.
During the hearings Mr.. Lewis de-
Tended the miners union proposal to
establish six-hour day and a five
day week. one of the demands origin
ally made. scouting as absurd cal
culation by Representative Black,
democrat Texas. that this would oc-
casion an extra annual cost of
S244. 600, 900 to the public for coal.
Discussing the history of wage
Mr.. Lewis amplified the
charge that the bituminous
of the central field had
broken contract with the miners
union in failing to confer with its
for Il new wage scale be-
fore the strike. That fact. he said.
N agreeing to a suggestion by Rep
resentative London. socialist, New
York. really gave the strike all the
aspect of a lockout
Borah Criticises Stubbornness
The coal operators were criticized |
n the senate Tuesday by Senator |
'orah. republican. Idaho. chairman of !
he senate labor committee, who charg-
d that by refusing to confer with the
niners they had broken Solemn OBJ
cation in the contract which expired !
larch 81. He declared the public would
ave to take drastic measures to
iolNSl AtsNI. A'NhutoA uA Sufu lit /
ias aware that the original contract
ad been changed. but not in respect
0 the agreement for conference last
,onth. Even if there should be no such
ontract, he added. the operators and
wners should have sought confer
nee.
THE mine owners owed it to the
ublic,'' he said, Ito use their utmost
fforts to bring about a conference
nd an understanding. If the miners
ad refused. then the criticism would
ave been upon them. The contractual
nlations between the mine owners and
liners seem to have broken down. 1t
as reached the point where the public.
, defense Of itself. must take some
rastic measures in order to control
lis great industry"
Lewis Presents Short Day Views
Miners demands for six-hour day
i'd five day week-issues involved in
le national coal strike--were describ-
by John L. Lewis. president Of the
nited Mine Workers, in continuing his
stimony before a house committee !
move to force regular
Y Of employment. II
Men employed by the day." he said, )
would receiys the same wages they /,
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