The daily worker., 1928-11-21
in
the American
Labor Unions
BY WILLIAM z. FOSTER.

Q NSN% %AAS Va blAS OOO,VOO IlliANA S
in 1922. On entering this historic
strike the union found itself in a
most difficult position. But the sit
uation was saved by a glorious
strike of the unorganized miners,
$4,000 strong, in Western Pennsyl-
vanla, home of the Steel Trust. This
wonderful incident turned the tide
in favor of the union. But Lewis,
in signing the agreement upon the
conclusion of the national strike,
shamelessly betrayed these loyal
miners. He made no provision for
them whatever in the national and
district agreements. Abandoned,
sold out, they stayed on strike for
several months, until they were
beaten and starved into submission.
This treachery has dealt the pres
tige and power of the U. M. W. A.
deadly blow, and made the unioni-
zation of the non-union fields ex-
tremely difficult.
The following letter, written byF
man who made a good record in Il
steel campaign of 1918 as an d
ganizer and who led the miners in
the strike in question, but who has
since become supporter of Lewis,
gives a picture of the shameful be-
trayal.
Charleroi, Pa,
September 81, 1922.
Mr.. W. z. Foster,
Chicago, Illinois.
Dear Friend Bill:
] was pleased to hear from YOU.
and learn that you are still in the
land of the living. l surely appre-
elate your interest in the battle I
am engaged in for industrial free
dom in the Connelsville Region
where industrial slavery has been
IN existence so long.
Bill, it looks as though you have
the right dope on this situation,
as am the only international or.
ganizer in the field. National
Board Member O'Leary, and Dis
trict Board Member Hynes along
with two of the Pittsburgh district
organizers, make up the crew that
are fighting this battle against the
most powerful coal companies in
the country. Our men are holding
out remarkably. We are fighting
with our backs to the wall. With
out sufficient funds or help.
have appealed time and again for
assistance, but to no avail Five
thousand miners and their fam
lies have been evicted from their
homes, and fifteen thousand others
have been served with eviction no.
tices. Tent colonies are erected all
over the region, and twenty-five
hundred hired thugs and gunmen
have been deputized by the sheriff
of Fayette County. Two hundred
state police are scattered over the
field. The jails are filled with
striking miners. Six striking min
ers have been brutally murdered,
and twenty-five others have beed
wounded. Hundreds have beerl
beaten up, many of them crippled
for life. Wholesale evictions are
taking place daily. We need funds,
and need them bad Appeals have
been sent all over the country fo1
assistance by us, ant upon this,
depends the very existence of the
struggling men and women of the
Connelsville coke region.
The recent settlement, by the
district officials of District No. 5
was staggering blow to the min
ers of the coke region, when they
signed for the large Hillman in
terests, in the old Pittsburgh dis
trict and left out the twelve mines
of that company that we have or
ganized solidly in the Connelsville
field. This was the damndest blum
der of the age. O'Leary and Hynes
fought against this settlement, but
the gang overwhelmed them. We
are demanding a special conven-
ton, and it will be some conven-
ton. There will be He'll to pay. /
find both International and Dis
trict organizers throwing cold
water on this very important situ-.
alton. International Secretary Will
liam Green is the only national OF
ficial that has paid us a visitl
notwithstanding that Vice-Presi-
dent Murray, who lives but forty
miles from the seat of war, cam
not find time to visit the field.
Bill, / expect to be a candidate for
district president, and believe me,
there will be some fun. We have
received the paltry sum of three
thousand dollars from District 5
to help carry on the strike, with
forty-five thousand men involved.
/ must now draw to a close, for
Gods sake if you can help us, do
so, we need shelter, food and cloth
ing, children are without shoes.
and unable to go to school. Wish
ing you every success, l remain,
Yours respectfully,
WILLIAM FEENEY.
P. S. Billy, hope you are able