New Britain herald., 1922-04-03
Mine Workers President Appears Before House Labor Committee In Washington
Lays Blame on Operators, Who "Violated Agree. ment."

Opposed To Government Intervention
 For Settlement Of Disputes Be
 tween Workers And Owners-Sus
 pension Of Work Regretted.
 Washington, April 3.-U Union coa miners who suspended work Saturda, in the nations bituminous and an thracite fields were declared today b, John l.. Lewis, president of the Unit cd Mine Workers of America to be desirous of ending the suspension oI mining operations at the earliest possible date' but the resumption ol coal production entirely depends up. on the future attitude of the coal op. orators"
 MT. Lewis made this decla ration be- fore the house labor committee which is holding hearings on the Bland res olution to direct appointment by the president of commission to investi- gate the coal industry. Discussing the resolution under consideration the united mine workers president assert ed that his organization would well come 'any impartial and judicial in- vestigation of the general conditions in the soft coal and anthracite coal industries, and especiaAy the facts re- lating to investments and profits, op- erating practices conservation of fuel resources, application of uniform methods of safeguarding the life and nf nd ind frio relations and conditions.
 Body With Power
 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 such commission should be free from political equations and the mine workers should be given adequate representation thereon"
 AS to the adjustment of controver- sies between operators and mine workers we have been traditionally opposed to governmental interven- ton" Mir Lewis continued. We 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 conference and agreement between representatives of the operators and the mine workers. If the operators had maintained their contract with us. the present deplorable conditions of affairs in the soft coal industry r,of1 a ri 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 a knowledge of the technique of coal mining industry and not being completely informed as to different conditions as might be expected are not in a position to reach a satisfactory conclusion as those who are actively engaged in the practical operation of the mines
 Regret Suspension
 .'The United Mine Workers regret more than anyone else the necessity for a suspension of work by the union coal miners of the country. We have done everything possible to avoid the suspension. For months past we 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.
 Two Year Agreement
 "In a joint conference held in the city of New York on the 31st of March, 1920, a two year agreement was signed covering wages and work ing conditions in the mining industry for that period. In the basic agree ment appears the following provision:
 Resolved that an interstate joint conference be held prior to 4 9pril l, | 1922, the time and place of holding such meeting is referred to a commit tee of two operators and two miners from each state herein represented to- gether with the international officers of the United Mine Workers organi- | zation.'
 This arrangement was part ot | the agreement equally as binding as any other provision and was duly ex- ecuted in writing through the attach ment of the signatures of the opera tors and mine workers representa- lives. It was a pledge morally as binding as any bond or promissory note ever executed in business trans action. The mine workers of the country believed that the coal opera tors signed the agreement in good faith, but we now find that they con- refuse to live up to their agreement They have refused point blank to do as they agreed they would do. If they were to refuse to liquidate it would be no more dis honorable than their refusal 10 keep their solemn agreement with the mine workers"
 Invited to Confer
 "On two occasions since the month of December 1921 the operators have been formally invited by the mine workers representatives to meet in joint conference at a designated time