The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-04-04
Industrial Court Order To Be
Observed, They Say.
Meanwhile Strike in State
Fields Seems 100 Per Cent.
House Labor Committe e
Sends kilograms to Oper-
ators Asking That They
Meet Mine Officials of
Central Competitive Field
Immediately.

Washington. April 4.-The house
labor committee this afternoon
stepped into the breach between the
coal operators and the United Mine
Workers of America in an effort to
end the nationwide strike which
went into effect on April l.
kilograms We're ordered dispatched
to operators in the central competitive
field. representing approximately
three-fourths OF the coal production
OF the nation, asking them to meet
officials OF the miners union for the
purpose OF negotiating a new wage
agreement and ending the strike.
Kansas City. April 4.-Operators OF
the Kansas mine fields decided to
abide by the order of the Kansas in
crstrial court. while they were in Sos
sion here yesterday. and will not at
tempt TO put in a cut OF mine wages
until after thirty days it was an
nounced here last night
Meanwhile. the strike of miners in
Kansas fields seemed 100 per cent. A
majority of the Kansas mines are To-
Gated in the Pittsburg district
New York. April 4.-Strike leaders
announced here. today that the an
thracite miners general policies COM
Inittee would meet in New York to-
morrow 10 act on the reported offer
OF several independent producers 10
grant the strikers nineteen wage de-
mauds Immediately II they would re-
turn to their jobs.
Acceptance of these offers. hailed
by the union men "as the first break
in the ranks OF the operators" may
result in the negotiation Of separate
a a
dents of the u. NJ. w. a. international.
At least one anthracite mine in the
United States is operating regardless
of the strike, it was learned. 1t is the
mine where for three months thirty
men have been digging frantically in
search of miner. Stanle zuliski, who
disappeared under an avalanche OF
hard coal early last January.
indianapolis. April 4.-Strike of the
United Mine Workers. according TO all
reports received here, continued 100
per cent effective in the great central
competitive field which produces by
far the greater part OF the nations
soft coal, and in the hard coal fields
Washington. April miners de-
mands for a six-hour day and five
day week issues involved in the ma
tional coal strike-were described by
John L. Lewis. president of the u. NJ
w. A. in continuing his testimony to-
day before a house committee as
largely a move TO force regularity of
employment
Representative Black. Democrat,
Texas. calculated that if the five-day.
six-hour demand was granted, the
public would pay S244.0OO,OOO addi-
tionaI for the same amount of coal
they are now getting each year"
who will that come out OFF," Mr.
Black demanded after figuring his
total
Nobody" Mr. Lewis rstorted. be
cause your figures are absurd"
Mr. Black pressed his calculations.
Congressman. when the 12-hour
day was changed to the ten-hOur day (
Mr. Lewis interrupted. the efficiency
was increased and production per man
per day increased The same effect
continued when the ten-hour day was
cut to eight hours. The efficiency in
creased more than sufficient TO make ]
up the loss The fact has been au-
determined and univers- I
ally recognized"
Il can't figure out how you can ex-
pect the production to increase" Mr. /
Black said, after you have reduced /
the hours of work down below a rea-
sonable basis
''Fd like TO point out that we are
willing to discuss all these demands Z
around council table with the oper- 1
ators." Mr.. Lewis returned. "and then I
il we cannot show them 70 be reason !
Mr. Black declared that while ]
va Ees of anthracite miners now can !
purchase 8 per cent more than they
they could in 1920. the purchasing .
power of the farmer In my territory Z
has been cut so per cent since 1920" /
and asked Mr.. Lewis:
DO you think that industrial and !
2 "a N snort a ffou workers rsan 1Our- with