Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-03-22

procedure, however. had previously
been arranged by officials. and the re-
lease Of the call which was dated yes
te:day was directed by officers who are
in New YORK meeting with anthracite
operators.
William Green, secrctary-treasurcr
Of the union, made the text public on
his arrival here from Coshocton. Ohio,
where he had been the last few GAYS.
He declined 70 make any comment.
saying the order was self-explanatory.
The unions membership. excluding
that II Nova Scotia, which VIII rot he
affected ny The strike. about 50n.n0o
men. OF these. approximately 800"
are in the three anthracite district. Of
Pennsylvania and III: remainder scat
tered over the soft coal fields. Past
! suspensions in the anthracite folds.
however, have practically closed all
81 erations, leading 10 the Official es-
innate that almost 100000 men VIII be
called out Of the mlr,cS.
Th2 order was n1t sent into Nova
Scotia because tie ri!ners there we're
said to be working under an arrange
ment was some time ago when : con-
| tract expir, 4, and it was said that the
in lection of the strike order might
| complicate the situation as to make
any future agreements impc ssib,,.
The miners attitude in calling the
suspension was set forth fully ii the
call. which also related the aut lnrity
under which the ottic as acted III asu-
ing il.
The order said in part:
In accordance with district and o.
cal agreements local unions must
permit a sufficient number of men to
remain at work to insure the proper
care and protection Of all mining
property. Bumpers. engineers and
others necessary to protect the prop
erty must he allowed to remain at
work. The fullest cooperation must
be given mine management in order
to safeguard and protect property.
| and under no circumstances should
this rule he violated or set aside by
| tho local unions"
The unions policy committee Will
meet next Friday at Cleveland to
| consider plans for the conduct of the
] suspension and the concluding PARA
| graphs of the call admonished miners
regarding their conduct during the
suspension. This para graph reads:
The present situation in the min
| ing industry calls for the exercise of
good Judgment. moral courage and
! loyalty by every member of the Unit
| "a Mine Workers Of America. Or
, DERBY procedure must be followed at
all times. There must be no violation
, Of law, no disturbance of any publ"
peace. Re guided in all your actions
| by the policies Of Your organization
| and follow out the instructions and
orders given No,l by the duly accred
itoa officers Of YOUR union"
Copies of the call were sent to
| every district of the union except
Nova Scotia whore it was said that
the contract with the operators h i
already expired but that arrangement
had been made for the men continue
! ing at work. Western Canada pro-
: Ninces however, arc included in the
suspension order. as also every union
field in this country.
Tho order was addressed ITO the
Officers and Members of the United
| Mine Workers of America" and was
signed by John l.. Lewis. Interna ton
Al president: Philip Murray, vice.
president and William Green, sccre-
tary-treasurer. The text follows:
The last international convention
Of the United Mine Workers OF
,
polls during the week of February
II, 1927. adopted the following
declaration as q part of the policy Of
the United Mine Workers OF Amer
lea:
The present contract between
the coal operators and the United
Mine Workers of America in. both
the anthracite and btuminouS coal
fields terminates on March II. 1922
In the event no agreement is reached
by April LIST We declare in favor OF
q general suspension of mining
operations. such action being sub
jccted to referendum vote of the
membership Of the United Mine
Workers Of America such rcferen-
dunn vote to be held prior to March
81
Since this action was taken tho
international officers of the United
Mine Workers of America have en-
deaNored to meet the operators of
the Central Competitive Field in
lolnt conference for the purpose Of
negotiating a now wage agreement. |
The operators of western Pennsyl- 1
Vania and southern Ohio positively
refused 10 attend an interstate
meeting, while the operators Of east
ern Ohio and Indiana agreed to do so
only unon condition that all tie
operators representing western
PENNSYLVANIA. Ohio. Indiana and |
Illinois, the states and districts COM
prising the central competitive field. /
were present. because the operators
refused TO meet your Representatives F.,
We have failed to secure an interstate /,
meeting. We have been and now are !
willing and ready to participate in a /
JOINT conference of miners and .
operators of the central competitive /
field for the purpose Of negotiating .
able to do so because the coal opera I
tors Will not meet us. The blame !
and responsibility for suspension
of mining operations on April 1st !
must rest fairly and squarely with +:
the coal operators.
"A refe rendum vote OF the mine
workers Of the bituminons coal fields.
W. . L I,e Il, u