The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1922-04-13
COAL MINERS ALL
GO OUT ON STRIKE
PSEelDENT LEWIS DECLARES
UNION rs DETERMINED TO
MAINTAIN DEMANDS
Coal Supply VIII Last But Few Weeks
In Opinion Of Strike Leaders;
Utilities viii be the First
to Suffer

nAeiiluF lDus-~l no uhliJntA tOoA
strike is 100 per cent effective in the
unlonized bituminous and anthracite
mines OF the country and Is getting
support in nonunion territory, John l..
Lewis, president Of the United Mine
Workers, declared Sunday on his mr.
rival here to attend congressional
hearings.
There are 100000 miners ready 10
stay out of the mines indefinitely.
until the operators are ready to dis
cuss with US the question of new
wage agreements In the central COM
petitiye fields" Mr. Lewis declared.
adding that, while the union court
ed investigation for anthracite and the
bituminous industry, II seeks no gov
eminent Intervention. but does ask
for the support OF public opinion in
forcing the operators to continue col
leciye bargaining with miners over
wages and working conditions"
Discussing coal reserves and the ef-
feet OF the strike on the interests Of
consumers, Mr.. Lewis strongly ex-
pressed his opinion that "a pinch
would come earlier than expected"
He declared nonunion mine prOduc-
ton had been greatly exaggerated"
and that operators had been more or
less openly following tactics that
forced a strike 80 th1y could get
higher prices and greater profits.
There won't be single man re-
turn to work this week." Mr.. Lewis
said. ''from the 100000 men who went
out. 1t takes a little longer in the |
nOnunion fields for us to get the re-
ports. In the West Virginia panhan-
die, for instance, right along the Ohio
line, there are about 5000 or 5000 men
In nonunion mines for whom meetings
are being held. They'll probably be
cut soon. There are meetings here and
there In nonunion territory all over
the United States. Wen get the
returns later. In the union territory
we know what happened. the opera
tors aren't even going TO try to run
the mines"
Taking notice OF the suggestion by
Chairman Borah of the senate labor
that the government ought
10 intervene further into the situa-
lion, Mr.. Lewis remarked that he was
afraid nothing much could be done
with the operators"
Every attempt has been made 10
,et them to meet their obligations to
collective bargaining with
49," he continued, 'and assume they
will maintain their refusal no matter
Who tries to get them TO confer. We
tand ready. now as ever, to enter any
inference with them to discuss the
erms OF a new wuge contract which
vill allow us to resume work.
III the miners today were occupy
ng the position Of refusing to dis.
uss a wage contract. AS the opera {
ors are. they'd be morally castigated '
y all the citizens of this land" 4
although the operators regard each v
Their as competitors" Mr.. Lewis said. n
nd are not acting In concert. 1--WE '
now that we can't get a general -
age scale without unity of action in
Ia central competitive field. because =
difference Of cent a day In wages
cans cents per ton In the selling G
rice OF coal. makes turmoil In mar q
sts and closes up old mines to open 81
,w ones" n
'Stili they were unit In wanting /,
he continued. They had Y
aided up all the big consumers with
al ON the strike scare. and held up r
o market prices while the loading
as going on. Now they think that :
trey're shut down long enough :,
ere1l be scarcity. and runaway y
arket. Their disposition made the
Iike Inevitable" IA
MIR. Lewis estimates the maximum "
u the nonunion mines AT
10000 tons a week. much Of which
said. was good only for coke. Furth- -,
he declared. the middle west could :,
Z pay the freight to get nonunion -
Al a. them. az
Watch the public utility companies -
tho smaller cities" the strike lead u
said. They will be hit first The &C
! cities are pretty well stocked. but of
} little ones are not" trc
Mr.. Lewis expected 10 remain in ~,
shingten ms long rs his presence A..
required. but saia he had no engage
nts with President Harding to ex. "'
tive officers