The New York herald., 1922-04-01
Union Chiefs Declare
That 100000 Nom
Union Men Quit to -I
Complete Tieup.
1900 GUARD MINES
1000 Left at Work in Kens
tucky to Live Up to Terms
of Contract.
so DAYS COAL SUPPLY
Troops Only to Be Used in
Case Of Violence and No
Clashes Are Reported.
so DAYS COAL SUPPLY

INpIANAPoLIs, March 81 (Associatod
Press) Coal production was stopped
who quit work in the mines OF twenty
States with The avowed policy of re-
naming idle indefinitely in an effort
TO force TIE operators TO accept tis
miners terms for new wage contracts.
Officials at the headquarters here Of
the United Mine Workers OF America
declared the suspension not only
would include a half million workers
but also that at least 100000 nom
union men would join in the walkout.
No last minute instructions we-s
issued from headquarters and tho
only significant conference held dur
ing the day by President JOHN r.
Lewis was with Lonnie Jackson.
president or the Kentucky union ei.s-
trict, where 1000 union men will corr
tinue at work because their contract
with operators has another year 10
run.
Mr.. Lewis declared that the susper-
sion of work by Kansas union miners
would not be averted by the action Of the
Kansas Industrial Court craci sSs-stsr-sss
the wage scale OF the last two } dars bs
continued for thirty days.
Tonight the union chief declared the
nationwide walkout would affect hun
dreds OF thousands OF citizens not d.
rectly engaged IN the coal industry, ard
he reiterated his charge that the opera
tors had forced 'the strike upon the
miners"
In addition TO the Kentucky miners.
union men in Nova Scotia viii remain az
work. but those in the western Canadian
provinces are expected TO join in the sus1f
pension. The conference over tie KEN
lucky situation was said by Its partici
pants 10 have been a general reviews !,
the situation there with President Lewis
taking the position that the union must
obey its contract with the operators.
Complete Tfeup Reported.
Numerous reports from the coal fields
or the country reached Headquarters, and
lfr. Lewis declared they indicated a COM
plete tieup OF all union fields These re-
ports also showed that 1900 union men
would be left in the mines 10 protect
the properties from damage. The only
trouble between operators and miners in
this connection was reported from Wash /
ington. where operators we're said TO b.
objecting 10 paying the wages provided
for in the contracts that expired at mid
night.
Mr.. Leviss statement regarding the
suspension OF work follows:
"The strike upon which the United
Mine Workers of America are entering
Is rot question OF small magnitud4
nor one to be lightly considered by tho
American people. IL is fraught with far
reaching consequences and serious re-
sponsibllities as affecting the public
veal. The withdrawal OF in excess ct
coo. 900 men from the mines OF the coun-
try constitutes serious problem. ASida
from the inevitable coal shortage which
will cnsue to the profit OF coal operators
and TO the detriment OF the public. il
win cause disiocation or industry
throughout the nation. affecting hun
dreds OF thousands OF citizens in other
walks Of life.
This is deplorable condition and
constitutes a sad commentary upon ths
relationships Of employer and employees
in American industry. Every thoughtful
man recognizes that In the end a settle
ment OF tho problems OF tho mining in
dustry must perfcrce be effected. Such
settlement must come through Joint corr
ference with accredited representatives
or the mine workers OF the nation.
Places onus on Operators.
TT is most unfortunate, because Of ths
arbitrary attitude Of the coal operators.
that such meeting cannot be az
sembled until the country has endured
the agony and commissions involved ip
an industrial strike on such . gigantic
scale. In the present issue the pubiis
has been lulled 10 sense OF falsa So
curity b. tile soothing statements ot
those who ~ill profit through strike.
The mine workers repeatedly haNs
called attention 30 those facts and our
statements have gone unheeded. Ths
responsibility must therefore be wlt4
those who have forced the present sit.
uation and are seeking to beat the
miners backward.
As sclf-rsspscting citizens ne are re-
solved 10 stand in opposition to thosx
who deny us living vase and our
proper aspirations FOR an American
standard ot living