The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-04-11
KENTUCKY MINERS
:NSLAvED BY new
SCAB CONTRACT
: our-Year Pact Pro-
vides for Open Shop
BY J. A. HAMILTON.
fSncciaI "a The Daily Worker


HUNTINGTON, w. Va, April 10.
Coal Age for April 3, 1924, re-
.lorts the contract just signed be-
geen the kentucky-Tennessee Coal
perators Association and District
j. United Mine Workers of America.
his is one of the several provisional
districts in the union, whose officers,
I'M. Turnblazer, president, and K.
!. Reed, secretary, are appointed by
resident Lewis. 1t covers South
astern Kentucky and EASTERN Ten
.essee, which are but partially or
,anized.
This contract has several note
yorthy features. First, it runs un-
FnApril 1, 1928, thus overlapping
contracts in the other districts by
,ar. In case of strike in 1927,
ne union men in this district would
Ie scabbing on their brothers, yet
lnable in view Of their agreement, to
/ on strike as members of the union.
contracts Union Seabbed in 1922.
1.-THE same situation existed in 1922,
nd undoubtedly handicapped the
trike, altho the railroad shipments
trike prevented the situation from
oeing as serious as otherwise. The
continuance in operation of the Ken
lucky mines was the occasion for one
I the charges. in the new-famous
etter of Frank harrington to Lewis,
4 which Harrington repeated the
umor that Lewis was well-paid for
lowing these mines to operate dur
i1g the strike. Something other than
he good of the union must have in
Huenced Lewis in allowing his ap-
rointees to sign another overlapping
ontract. and one for four years,
lille the rest of the district are only
or three years.
Wages Cut 20 Per Cent.
Another feature is the low wage
Gale. Tonnage rates are not given
N the report but are said to be cut
20 per cent below the 1920-1922
rate. The day-rate varies from
1894 for outside yard couplers to
$40 for inside machine runners. Tin
Their districts machine runners are
aid tonnage, and often make two or
iree times $5.40.) Wonder what
lllnd of "Reds" was responsible for
ls? In disappearing the Nova
lotia matter, Lewis has done his
est to blame upon Moscow and the
IOWA Scotia radicals the cuts made
IN that unhappy mining section, and
n reality encouraged by Lewis ennis
aries and henchmen.
A third feature is the absence of
heck-off for the union but there is
100 per day taken from each mem
YER of the union to maintain an arbi-
ration committee of two miners and
wo operators Zone of each from
ach state) and an umpire selected
" these four.
Open Shop Recognized.
Another mark of distinction is the
open-shop clause, which provides for
,reedon of members or non-members
( the union from discrimination or
Interference by the company or by
"A / opposite group of workers. If
IL join the union, all right; if not,
right.
SThat Lewis should approve of such
agreement for such length of
ne as four yea4s, and especially
overlap the other agreements,
hould certainly lead to the suspicion
hat something is the matter
With the union policy. 1t may well
e inquired whether such rotten
,greement is not better suited TO
discourage rather than encourage
complete unionization of this South
astern acknowledgements field.
,owever, Lewis seems to be more in
crested in "stabilization" thar In
unionization" Of the industry.