The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-03-22
GOVT PASSIVE
BUT WATCHING
COAL STRIKERS
Call Includes Anthracite and Bi-
luminous Men and Is Sent
Broadcast.
MUST PROTECT MINES
AND REMAIN ORDERLY
Govt Surveys Indicate Surplus
on Hand Will Prevent Short
age and High Prices.
Csy Ths Associates Prsssl

tNI)lANAPDIIS, March 2l.--SuS-
pension of work by all union coal
miners at midnight March 81 was or
dered today by officers of the United
Mine Workers OF America, the cell be-
ing the first ever issued for both the
bituminous and anthracite worlxers to
wslk out simultaneously. Six hundred
thousand men win be directly affected
by the order, 1t was estimated offici-
ally.
The order, which was sent 60 the
5000 local unions. directed the miners
TO give the operators their fullest CO.
operation in the protection of mine
property and counselied against vio-
lence and violations OF the law. In
addition to affecting all union miners
III the United states. the order also
directed approximately $3.50 union
men in western Cenada Join in the
wslkout rut did not apply to 1900
miners in Nova Scotia
Call Unprecedented.
Never before in the history OF the
. coal industry has q suspension or
strike order called for cessation of
work by all union miners in the United
states In the past, wage contracts I'm
the bituminous and anthracite fields
have not expired at tho same time but
a complete tisup in union fields was
considered during the great anthracite
strike in 1909. A sympathetic strike
by the bituminous miners at that time
was rejected by the unions convention,
IT being argued that the soft coal
workers were bound by a contract.
Vote Overwhelming.
The issuance OF the call came with
the recent strike vote Of the soft coal
miners not completely tabulated but,
its was said officially, that the work
of the unions board OF tellers had
progressed to suho a point as to show
every field voting overwhelmingly in
favor OF suspension. Indications were
that nine-tenths of the miners favored
tho walkout
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. March 21.--A
formal call for suspension Of work
by all union coal miners issued today
from the headquarters OF the United
Mine Workers of America, directs all
members OF the organization employed
luminous coal producing districts to
discontinue work and cease production
OF coal at all mines Friday, March 81,
1922"
The suspension, the order added
would continue until terminated by
action OF the policy committee of the
United Mine Workers OF America" and
until officers OF the 3o00 union locals
scattered throughout the country have
been advised as TO the committees ac-
tion.
Must Protect Mines.
Further, the order said in part,
''In accordance with district and To-
cal agr rsements, local unions must per-
NIT a sufficient number of men to
remain at work to insure the proper
care and protection OF all mining prop
erty. Pumpers engineers and others
necessary TO protect the property must
be allowed to remain at work. The
fullest cooperation must be given
mine mana cement in order 10 safe
guard and protect property, and under
no circumstances should this rule be
violated Or set aside by local unions"
The unions policy committee win
meet next Friday at Cleveland to con-
slider plans for the conduct of the sus-
pension, and the concluding para
graph OF the call admonished miners
regarding their conduct during the
suspension. This paragraph reads:
Sent Broadcast.
The present situation In the mining
industry calls for the exercise of good
judgment moral courage and loyalty
by ayery member OF the United Mine
Workers Of America. Orderly procedure
must be followed at all times. There
must be no viloation or law. no dis
turbance OF any public peace.
Copies OF the call were sent TO every
district except Nova Scotia. whore It
was said that the contract with the op-
orators had already expired. bur that
arrangements had been made for the
men continuing at work Western
Canada provinces, however, are in
CONTINUED on PAGE TwoS