Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-03-17
AID OF LABOR
lSPLEDCED To-
COAL Miners
Saws American Federation
Members Will Support
Strikers to a Man
ASSAILS OPERATORS
Labor President Says His Conclusion
is That Their Promises Are Worth
less

| Washington. March l7.--Bitterly
assailing the mine operators, Presi-
dent GOmpers. Of the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor, asserted yesterday
that organized labor 20 a man Will
support the cause Of the mine work.
ers, though he did not say whether
labor would resort TO the sympa-
thetic strike to aid miners strike.
Secretary of the Treasury Mellon
views the possibility of national coal
strike as the one dark cloud on the
horizon of improved business condi-
tions. il was said at the treasury.
Should the strike Of bitumlnous
coal miners materialiZe. Mr.. Mellon IS
understood to look for little difficulty
resulting to industries or iardships to
! the general public.
Treasury officials expressed the
opinion that there was nothing the
Government could do to stop strike
if called for April /, and indicated
there was little probability of the
Government taking over the btu
minous mines unless protracted
strike developed an unexpected short
age of bituminous coal, which would
work a hardship upon the general
public.
Come what may, the American
Federation Of Labor, the American
labor movement, is with the mine
workers of America in their struggle
against the mine owners said Mr..
GompcrS.
The citizenship of America can
draw from this conduct but one con-
cluson that the mine owners wish 1t
to lie understood that the pledge OF
mine owners is valueless."
The statement of mine owners that
the representatives Of the NINE own
ers have 10 power to confer Is base
less. The officers and the policy COM
mittec of the mine workers have full
power to confer, to negotiate and to
enter into an agreement. This power
was officially and properly conferred
upon them by the mine workers con-
vcntion.
"The mine owners are willing to
break their word if by so doing they
can reduce wages or weaken the
union. Profits and power with the
mine owners come first. and every
thing else. including the comfort and
welfare of the public. Of which they
talk so much, come last.
The whole American labor move
mcnt is with the miners. The United
Mine Workers Of America have an
honorable record of agreements hon
orablv kept. The industry for ~
wears has been conducted upon the
basis of negotiation and joint agree
ment.
''The mine workers have met every
demand in those agreements. In ad-
dition, they have ever been subject to
whim and caprice beyond any other
calling or trade. They have had
work for from 30 to 100 fewer days
per year than most other trades and
occupations.
"Thcy have been subjected to a
fluctuaton of work almost unknown in
any other trade. What they ask is
negotiation and agreement. trusting
To these truly American devices to
bring improvement AS time passes.
The thing they want least Of all is to
be- compelled 10 cease work as a final
protest against the dishonor Of the
employers.
"Thc mine workers are striving to
abide by their pledge. They have
fulfilled every obligation and wait
only the word of The employers to en-
tor into negotiation for the continu-
ancr Of mining operations.