The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1931-03-24
FAKERS "PEACE"- MACHINE
GUJNS--AND THE MINERS

of the u NJ. w. A. and encouraged them to
fight and advised them of the methods of strug-
gle. They were received very we'll by the min
ers. A meeting was called and a local of
the N. M. U. organized. But the miners
we're hesitant to accept the full leadership of
the N. M U. Only after the picket lines were
smashed did they learn the true character of
the state, and they sent delegation to the
headquarters of the N M U. requesting to be
organized into the NJ M. U.
johnson City is only the first start in the new
drive of wage-cutS in the Illinois coal fields In
Orient No. l. where LOO miners were working
a few weeks ago the mine was shut down Now
the bosses are introducing new machinery and
have already declared that only part of the
miners will be employed. The others will be left
to starve. Starvation in the field is general A
delegation of the local union of the U. M. w. A.
from johnson City. speaking at the Zeigler
meeting of the U. M. w. A.. declared that the
other day two young boys were found dead in
the alley from starvation. Such mining towns
as Christopher, johnson City Coello and others
look nearly like cemeteries. Starvation there is
general. Even the Red Cross declared that hun
dreds were starving and many hundreds more
were approaching restitution.
just a few years ago about 100000 miners
worked in the mines of Illinois and today there
are only about 10000 working part time A
good many drifted away from the mining in
dustry. Those who remained were primarily
family men, who simply can't move away as
they have not even the means of getting out of
the town. Those who remain and work a few
days a month are starving. Wages have been
cut, Speed-up has increased. This is clearly
shown by the figures of the production of coal
in the state of Illinois. In 1926 about $4,000
miners produced 100000 tons. In $780, $1,000
,,,i,, r. mn
production of 100000 tons, and the decrease
in the number of miners working is about 81
per cent. Those who are working, are working
only part time. These figures are clearly indi-
eating the facts concerning the conditions in the
mining industry in Illinois.
The N. M. :, which led the heroic strike of the
miners in December, 1929, again modifying
the miners for struggle. Local unions are be-
ginning to be built organizational committees
Of the N M. U. are established and this is the
only solution for the niners-that is to build
their own unions of the N. NJ u. with the mine
committees in every mine, to undertake the
struggle against wage-cuts, and the bosses tool
the U. M W. A, and organize the unemployed
miners to struggle for food Unity of the en-
ployed miners in the coal fields is absolutely
necessary for a successful struggle.
So, there is peace in the Illinois coal fields
peace" with machine guns and tear gas
peace for the purpose to further attack the
miners, to exploit those who are working and
rob them of the miserable few dollars they are
making by the check-off. 10 upkeep the treach-
erous gang of Lewis and FishUick The phrase
monger, Howatt. who was ditched by Fishwick
making peace with Lewis, at present it attempt
ing to create confusion and promising the min
ers that he will fight for them. But Alexander
HoWatt is known already to the miners as one
Hal lyyA
by Harrington and by Fishwick He served them
best The miners must not have faith in Alex
ander Howatt, who today is maneuvering to get
support from the rank and filters, for the main
purpose of Howatt is to betray them for the
interest of the coal operators
The miners of Illinois must build their only
weapon in struggle-the National Miners Union.