The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1922-04-03
SUSPENSION OF
WORK VIRTUALLY
COMPLETE TODAY
Representatives Fro m
Union Camps Claim
Their Cause Strength
ened By Walkout In
Some Non-Union Dis
tricts-Chicago Meet
ing Expected To De-
velop Something

Indianapolis. April 3.-Suspension
of work in the union coal mines Vi
the country virtually was compiete
today, according to representatives
, from union sources and claims were
made that the miners cause had been
strengthened by walkouts in some
non-union districts.
President Lewis of the Mine WORK
ers made the statement today that
resumption of work depended entirely
upon the operators whose refusal 10
confer provoked the suspension.
Miners claimed a complete tie-up
in New River fields of Virginia non
union territory.
Scranton Anthracite mining district
reported suspension of 100 per cent
effective, with 10000 men idle.
Non-union districts of West Vir-
ginia were idle with 4,500 non-union
men joining the walkout, miners Off
cials asserted.
Kansas operators made no effort to
open mines, holding separate meeting
of miners and operators in Kansas
City today to discuss industrial con-
ditions, and the order for thirty-day
continuance of old working arrange
ments.
Meeting in Chicago of railway
union groups today expected to dis
cuss relations of workers to the min
ers' suspension of work.
Washington, April 9.-Union coal
miners who suspended work Saturday
in the nations bituminous and authra-
cite fields were declared today by
John L. Lewis, president of the Unit
ed Mine Workers of America, to be
desirous of ending ''the suspension of
mining operations at the earliest pos
sible date" but "the resumption of
coal production entirely depends up
on the future attitude of the coal op-
orators"
Mr.. Lewis made this declaration
before the House labor committee
which is holding hearings on the
Bland resolution to direct appoint
ment by the president of a commits
sion to investigate the coal indus
try. Discussing the resolution under
consideration, the United Mine Work
er's president asserted that his or
ganization would welcome "any i'm
partial and judicial investigation of
the general conditions in the Bitumin-
Gus and Anthracite coal industries,
and especially the facts relating to
investments and profits, operating
process, conservation of fuel resourc-
es, application of united form meth
ods of safeguarding the kfe and limb
of the workers, and industrial rela-
tions 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 each committee should be free from
political equations and the mine
workers, should be given adequate rep
resentation thereon"
las to the adjustment of controver-
sizes between operators. and mine
workers we have been traditionally
opposed to governmental interven.
tion," Mr. Lewis continued I'VE have
been convinced by experience that
such adjustments may be more effec-
lively and equitably worked out both
in the interest of the public and of
those engaged in the industry by con-
ference and agreement between rep
resentatives Of the operators and the
mine workers. If the operators had
maintained their contract with us. the
present depl0rable condition of af-
fairs in the soft coal industry would
not have arisen. All differences
should have been settled by agree.
ment and suspension of work and
general breakdown in the industry
avoided. Our experience with labor
adjustment boards or commissions
has been that representatives of the
public. not having knowledge of the
technique of the coal mining industry
and not being completely informed as
to different conditions, as might be
expected, are not in a position to
reach satisfactory conclusion as
those who are actively engaged in the
work.
The d. M W.. of A. regret more
than anyone else the necessity
for suspension of work by the un
ion coal miners of the country. We
have done everything humanity pos.
sible to avoid the suspension. For
months past we have have fought
hard to induce the bituminous coal
operators to keep faith with us and
with the government and meet US
in joint conference so that a new
wage and working agreement might
be made that would maintain indus
trial peace and prevent public incon
venience.
In Joint conference held in the
city of New York on the 1st oi
March, 1920. two year agreement
was signed covering wages and work
tnf condIIIons in ne mining industry