Evening star., 1923-09-02
G0MPERS PLEDGES
MINERS LABOR AID
Assures Them of Support of
A. r. of L. in Strike-FIays
Coal Operators.
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, September 1.-Acting
on instructions given him by the
executive council of the American
Federation of Labor at its meeting
here today, Samuel Gompers, presi-
dent of the federation, telegraphed
John l.. Lewis. president of the United
Mine Workersof America, pledging the
fullest support Of the federation to
the miners in their negotiations with
anthracite operators.
In his telegram Mr.. Gompers de-
clared that the operators had shown
a desire TO exploit the miners and
expressed confidence that the miners
cause would appeal to the American
people. He declared he was conf
dent Of speedy victory and declared
"it is in the interest Of all our people
that employer arrogance be dethroned
in the miners and In all industry"
Commenting on the peace pariey In
Harrisburg. Mr.. Gompers denounced
the coal barons," and asserted that
Gov. Pinchot has made clear to the
country that the terms rejected by
the mine owners offered a basis of
negotiations and agreement. He
added that the miners had sought
every opportunity to obtain justice
without resorting to stoppage OF
work.
Text OF Telegram.
In his telegram to Mr.. Lewis, sent
to Philadelphia, Mr.. Gompers said:
In the name of the executive coun-
Gil Of the American Federation OF
Labor. now in session here. / con-
vey to you and through you to the
miners our pledge of the fullest sup
port we are in a position to give in
the present effort of the United Mine
Workers to obtain more nearly just
terms and conditions of employment.
1t is our conviction that the mine
owners, by their arbitrary conduct,
have clearly shown their desire to
exploit the miners in the interest OF
their own financial operations and
that they have forfeited all sem
blance of claim for the support Of
women. We are confident that the
justice Of the cause of the miners
will appeal to the American people
and that speedy victory for that
cause will be achieved. Call upon us
for any service that in your opinion
OF all Of our people that employer
arrogance be dethroned in the mines
and in all industry"
In addition Mr.. Gompers expire ssed
the opinion that the Harrisburg con-
ference had given the final proof of
the arbitrary attitude of the mine
owners.
Denounces Operators.
Careful observers have been
aware from the first that the mine
owners were bent on forcing a. ces-
sation Of work" he said. THE reply
Of the mine-owners to the proposals
Of Gov. Pinchot must have made the
fact clear to every one. It has been
sought to force upon the miners
conditions and terms which they
could not accept.
Gov. Pinchot has made clear to
the country that the terms rejected
by the mine-ownerS ofered a basis
of negotiations and agreement. The
mine-workers took this view and
at work must have impressed every
one with the fact that they have
sought every opportunity to secure
a measure Of justice without re-
sorting to stoppage Of work.
How long AElerica can tolerate
a. condition which places the health,
comfort and well-being of the peo-
ple under the arbitrary domination
of coal barons, whose arrogance is
almost proverbial, we have no means
Of knowing, but we are confident that
even though their endurance may
not have been exhausted their will
lingness to submit must end soon.
Fought Decrease.
at will be remembered that the
miners strike of last year was not for
any increase in wages, but against a
proposed wage reduction OF 20 per cent
and that though they successfully re-
sisted the wage reduction there has
been no improvement in their wages or
conditions since 1920, Notwithstanding
the soaring prices of all living costs.
THE United Mine Workers are per-