The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1922-04-06
HITS OPERATORS
FOR MINE T|EUP
President Lewis of Miners Before
House Labor Committee.
IN FAVOR OF STRIKE PROBE
Declares Owners Refuse to Keep
Agreement Made Two Years Ago
for Parley-ls Opposed to In
PREVENTION by United States.

Washington, April 4.-Union coal
timers who quite work Saturday IN
the nations btuminous and anthracite
fields were declared by John l.. Lewis,
president of the United Mine Work.
ers of America, to be DESTROYS OF end
ing "the suspension of mining opera
lions at the earliest possible Cate out
"the resumption of coal production en-
tirely depends upon the future atu-
tude of the coal operators"
Mr.. Lewis made his assertion before
the house labor committee hearing
on the Bland resolution to direct APP
pointment by the President of COM
mission to investigate the coal indus
try.
Miners for investigation,
Discussing the resolution under con-
sideration, the United Mine Workers
president stated that his organization
would welcome amy impartial and
judicial investigation of the general
conditions in the bituminous and an
thracite coal Industries, and especially
the facts relating to investments ana
profits, operating practices, conserva-
ton Of fuel resources, application or
uniform methods of safeguarding life
and limb of the workers and Industrial
relations and conditions.
"Such an investigating body" he
added Should be clothed with full
power to ascertain the truth, to send
for persons and papers, and to take
testimony under oath. The personnel
of such a commission should be free
from political equations, and the mine
workers should be given adequate rep
resentation thereon.
"As to the adjustment of controYer-
sizes between operators and mine work
ers, we have been additionally OPP
posed to government Intervention. We
have been convinced by experience
that such adjustment may be more eff
fectiyely and equitably worked out
both in the interest of the public and
of those engaged in the industry by
conference and agreement between
representatives of the operators and
the mine workers.
8lames Operators for Strike.
"If the operators had maintained
their contract with us the present
deplorable condition of affairs in the
soft coal industry would not have
arisen.
"Our experience with labor adjust
ment boards or commissions has been
that representatives of the public, not
having a knowledge of the technique
of the coal mining industry and not
being completely informed as to diff
ferent conditions, as might be expect
ed, are not in a position to reach as
satisfactory conclusions as those who
are actively engaged in the practical
operation of the mine.
"The United Mine Workers regret
more than any one else the necessity
for a suspension Of work by the
union coal miners of the country. We
have done everything humanity pos
sible to avoid the suspension. For
months past we have fought hard to
induce the bltumlnous coal operators
to keep faith with us and with the
government, and meet us in joint con-
ference, so that a new wage and work
ing agreement might be made that
would maintain industrial peace and
prevent public inconvenience"
Cites Agreement Clause.
Mr.. Lewis pointed out that in a
Joint conference on March 81, 1920, a
two-year agreement was signed cover
ing wages and working conditions and
providing for an interstate joint con-
ference, to be held prior to April l,
1922.
The coal operators had refused
point-blank, he said, to do as they had
agreed.
'In the face of such brazen and I'M
compromising attitude on the part of
the coal operators" Mr.. Lewis contin-
ued 1.-THE mine workers had no alter
native but to quit their work when
the agreement expired and await the
making of another agreement fixing
their schedule of wages and govern
ing their conditions of employment.
at is recognized by all thoughtful
men that in the end an agreement
must be effected through the accred-
tied representatives of the organized
mine workers of the country, and 1t
is particularly unfortunate that hun
dreds of thousands of men must be
withdrawn from industry to the detri-
ment of the social and economic we'll
being of our country before Joint
conference can be held and an agree
ment negotiated.
1.-THE public can follow Its own rea-
soning in defining the motives OF the
operators. Whether 1t be their mere
sordid desire to further enrich their
own teemlng Golfers or whether 1t be
their futile hope to destroy the United
Mine Workers Of America and beat the
miners backward 1t is equally repre-
hensible.
despite the failure of our previous
attempts to secure meeting with the
coal operators FOR the purpose of ne
gotiatlng new agreement, the mine
workers are ready to meet at any
time such meeting If possible"
h----