Evening star., 1923-06-22
u. s. WILL PREVENT
MOVE TO KEEP OUT
COAL FROM ABROAD
Daugherty Gives Warning on
Report Unions Adopt New
Strike Strategy.
ASKS COAL COMMISSION
TO INVESTIGATE RUMOR
Miners Officials Here and in Other
Nations Said to Have
Made Contract.

Any attempt of the United Mine
orkerS of America, in combination
with the unions of foreign countries,
to prevent shipment of coal from
abroad into the United States during
progress of coal strikes here will be
prevented by the government of the
United States promptly and force
fully" Attorney General Daugherty'
declared today in a letter TO the Fed
eral Coal Commission.
The Attorney General declared his
attention had been called to what is
claimed to be a contract between Off
cials of the miners union i'm the
United States and certain officials of
a similar organization in foreign
countries, providing for such check
to coal shipments during strikes. He
asked the coal commission to give
MIN any facts obtainable by it in the
matter. lin order that such action
may be taken as is justifable."
Hammond Promises Probe.
John Hays Hammond chairman of
the coal commission. said an investi-
cation would be made. but that so
far the commission had no official
data in the matter. Mr.. Hammond
recalled. however, that John L. Lewis
president of the United Mine Work
ers. recently had been in England in
conference with union officials. and
that after his return allegations had
been publicly made to the effect that
the American organization had per
fected some agreement with mine
workers abroad.
My attention has been called by
publication and otherwise, to what is
claimed to be contract" said Mr..
Daugherty's letter to Chairman Ham
mond. entered into or proposed to be
entered into between certain officials
of the United Mine Workers of Amer
lea and others in this country with
certain officials of a similar organiZa-
tion. and others in foreign countries.
represented to provide and to agree
that in event a strike should be de-
clarcd. or in force, in this country in
the mining intereSts-no coal would
be mined for shipment to this country
by miners belonging to said organiza-
tions in such foreign countries during
the period of a strike that might be
in force in this country.
Il can hardly conceive that any
person in this country would enter
into such a contract. for | am salts
fled that such a contract would be a
violation of our laws. If coal were
required for transportation purposes
country, any such interference with
the supply of coal will be prevented
by the government of the United
States promptly and forcefully. |
shall be glad to be promptly advised
as to the facts in possession of or OBJ
tainable by your commission in order
that such action may be taken as is
juStit:a Bile
Chairman Hammond also has re-
ceived letter from President Hard
4, s,,rr
miners strike and expressing a hope
that the public will give serious at
tention TO the findings Of the coal
commission and to it's efforts to in
sure uninterrupted production in the
industry.
Calls Delay Unwise.
Though this is the season of the
year when both temperature and va
cation habits may tempt the aVera ge
citizen to dismiss the subject of coal"
the President wrote, the issue re-
mains q serious one. and I therefore
bespeak for the Forthcoming report
of your commission on the anthra-
cite industry most thoughtful re-
ception. No solution of this vexinE
economic question can be found ex-
cept as the general public thoroughly
digestS the facts you present and de
cides upon the proper action to take.
Il regret that those who serve the
anthracite consuming public as mine
operators and mine workers, have not
already agreed upon the terms of a
new contract, but with your report
available on July 1. there should be
no delay in reaching a speedy agree
ment. The public deserves prompt
assurance that there will be no inter
ruption after August 81. in the flow
of household coal from mine to mar
ket.
The subject is a most interesting
N IC rVnt,
Is a vital one in that il affects the
well being of the whole nation"