The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-11-02

The tlppleS at the Illinois mines
are now busy hosting coal. The
miners are back at their jobs, work
ing under a six months truce ar
rangement. In Indiana a similar
trl4:e has been made. Meanwhile
the union is facing a life and death
struggle in Ohio and Western
Pennsylvania.
The policy of national agreements
based upon the Central Competitive
Field has been abandoned by the
union leadership. This is playing
directly into the hands of the opera
tors and weakening the union.
The strategy of the coal operators
is clear. They aim to keep the miners
Of Illinois and Indiana at work while
they continue their efforts to smash
the union in Ohio and in Western
Pennsylvania Later they hope to
be in stronger position to deal with
the former.
Frank Open Shop Statements
The operators have now been able
to strike a real blow in their union
smashing campaign through tn e
sweeping injunction secured from the
Federal Judge F. P. Shoemaker for
bidding practically all strike activities
and even compelling eviction of the
miners from their homes.
Upon this injunction the Pittsburgh
Post Gazette commented editorially as
follows; MANY declare that this ac-
ton of the mine operators is the final
drive to make this great state open
shop throughout. A number of lead
ing industries of the state are now
on that basis.
In Ohio similar campaign for the
"open shop" is being carried on. And
when recently the officials, of the
United Mine Workers of the district,
moved by the truce arrangement in
Illinois, made overtures to the opera
tors asking that negotiations take
place, the President Of the Ohio Coal
Operators association, S. H. Robbins,
declared: "0hiO operators have ex-
hausted all efforts to deal with the
United Mine Workers of America, and
we are not interested in any further
proposals"
Breaking Down Illinois Conditions
The intention of complete destruc-
ton Of the union in these two i'm
portant fields, while the Illinois and
Indiana miners are working, is clear.
Through the policy of separate dis
trict agreements John l.. Lewis and
his fellow bureaucrats have de-
TberatelY aided these efforts of the
operators.
Meanwhile in Illinois the operators
ave pursuing their program of doing
away with union conditions within
tha mines, Loading machines are be.
ing installed eliminating labor. The
surplus miners are told to 60 to other
industries. Working rules for opera.
ting Of machines are TO be settled b.
the commission selected to study tn.
| district mining problem composed OF
the presidents and vice presidents .ot
the union district and of the opera
tors association. On disputed points
this commission may enlarge itself
according to the temporary settle
ment, and a majority vote then be
comes binding. In other words sucl
disputes will be settled, not by agree
ment, but by arbitration.
yellow Dog" Contracts.
Cheating the miners in weight OF
coal loaded has been a long established
practice. The loaded cars must pas,
so rapidly over the scale that til.
checkweighmen, representing TIL
union, have no time to make a proper
check. Actual yellow dog contract.
are being put into operation here an,
there and where miners could for
merly leave the mine when sufficien
cars had been loaded to make a dav'.
wage, that is now something of the
past.
Fishwick Forecasts Wage Cut.
The Illinois truce extends The
agreement existing prior to thc
strike, including the Jacksonville SCALE