The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1928-10-17
The Situation in the Anthracite

the leadership of the left wing, car
rying on the fight for the National
Miners Union, the militant organi-
cation of the rank and file.
New Union VIII Survive!
The growing sympathy for the
new union cannot be denied. Every
clear thinking miner recognizes that
only fighting union can survive,
that is, the new National Miners
Union. Some of them are coming
over today, while others are waiting
for future developments, but the new
union is gaining ground along with
the increase in the fighting mood of
the miners and the offensive of the
coal operators.
Mr.. Lewis, not being certain of
his dreams to become secretary of
labor in Mr.. Hoover's cabinet, finds
this moment very opportune to come
in and to strengthen his positions
before the companies. He held aloof,
while the insurgents were issuing
one high-sounding statement after
the other, knowing that this I'M
principled movement would not live
long To some extent, he even well
coined this move, because it held
back the rank and file from the
fight for the new union. But eventu-
ally, he had to step in, to reach an
agreement with the operators re-
garding the future and also to stem
the rehabilitation of the miners.
In his statement issued to the
press, Mr.. Lewis laid his cards on
the table. First he welcomed the
efficiency drive of the coal opera
tors:
Il am glad to note that the an
thracite industry is gradually
making progress toward an in
creased stability, coming with les
SEEMING of mining costs and an
improved relationship between OPP
orators and mine workers. The
operators are to be commended
for the efforts they are making"
Not word about the wage-cuts,
speed-up and the elimination of the
''too many miners" After praising
the operators to the skies, he came
forward with the keynote of his
statement, the main object of his
visit. Referring to what he had said
at the Anthracite Cooperative Con-
gress, he expresses desire to avoid
strike in 1880:
g. One of the greatest of
material blessings which could
flow to the anthracite industry
and the anthracite population
would be the reaching of an agree
ment between the operators and
the miners guaranteeing the indus
try freedom from a strike in 1880
and an assured continuity of pro-
duction for years thereafter. :"
John L. Lewis does not want a
strike in 1880. Lewis knows what
such strike would lead to. He is
ready to accept any kind of an
agreement, be it arbitration or sub
mission, provided the union is "rec-
ognized" and the per capita is as
sured.
The wrecker of the union in the
bituminous fields is again offering
his services to the coal operators,
who, perhaps, will accept the offer.
They may welcome company-union,
headed by the UMWA officials, pro-
vided it will guarantee "the lessen
ing of mining costs and the con-
tinuity of production" as so ably ex-
pressed by John l.. Lewis.
The coal operators have not in
dicated their answer, but theirs will
not be the last word. The rank and
file will have something to say be-
fore this deal is concluded.
Moreover, the National Miners
Union, born Of the revolt of the
rank and file against the destroyers
of the union, will become the leader
of the revolt of the han Icoal miners