The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1932-01-22
Significance OF the Kentucky Strike
Kentucky Strike Must Check Wage Cuts

Kentucky Strike Must Check Wage Cuts.
From this point of view the Kentucky strike
has even a greater task to accomplish than the
recent strike of 10000 Besides its main task,
namely the defeating of the starvation conditions
and the terror in Kentucky, the Kentucky strike
has the general task of checking the new wage
cut wave. The effect of the Kentucky strike is
already being felt in other fields. So far it ex-
presses itself mostly in greater readiness on the
part Of the miners to resist wage-cutting at
tempts
The miners are ready to strike in answer to
every attempt of the operators to further deepen
their starvation. The miners listen more readily
and respond more quickly to the militant pro-
gram of the N.M.U. In the Terminal mine, for
instance, no sooner was the wage cut announced
in the first mine than the miners struck 100 per
cent. This happened at the mine No. H. in Horn
ing, Pa.
The Kentucky strike is also showing its effect
upon the internal consolidation of the NMU
There is decided increase in activity through
out the mine fields, many more local struggles
are taking place under the independent leader
ship of the N.MU. The leadership of the union
is being broadened out, through drawing into re-
sponsible work fresh rank and file elements
There is more life displayed by our field organ
izers. With such a situation the Kentucky strike
Must Not Underestimate willingness to Fight
At this time it is particularly dangerous to I'M
derestimate the readiness of the miners to strug-
gle Nevertheless, such underestimation exists in
some of our district organizations. What then
explains the fact that we sometimes slow to
give the miners leadership, even when they come
themselves to our offices to ask for it? What then
explains the fact that all sorts of arguments
against local strikes are raised? Why bubble at
time like this?
The question is clear. The miners are ready to
struggle and they must struggle or die a slow
DEATH militant organization the NMU, to
lead them is also here. That the struggle must
take place around immediate demands which are
to be broadened in the process of the struggle is
also clear. Why then, do some comrades raise all
sorts of doubtsP There is only one answer-an
underestimation of the workers willingness to
fight
Kentucky Strike-Beginning of Miners Offensive
There are a few factors in the Kentucky strike
which lead us to believe that: l. the strike will
be successful; 2, that it will mark the beginning
of the miners counter-offensive. These factors
are the following:
a. The strike has begun with the NMU. pos
sessing the undsputed leadership of the strike
b. The U.M.W.A. is hated by all the Kentucky
miners for It's long list of betrayals
g The Kentucky miners are the most militant
section of all miners in this country.
d) At the outset of the strike the NMU. has
had large membership in the Kentucky field.
e) The Negro miners and white miners are
fighting solidly side by side
y Prior to the strike the N'MU carried on
long period of preparation during which organ
ization was established in most Of the mines
Most Of these factors were lacking in the West
ern Pennsylvania East Ohio strike. The winning
chances are therefore excellent And the winning
of the strike will mean that the miners in every
other field will follow suit So will tn workers in
the other basic industries.
A Strike of All Workers
The Kentucky strike is not strike of the Ken
lucky miners only. The Kentucky miners are
simply the shock-troops in the checking Of the
new wave Of wage cuts, and are blazing the trail
for general working class counter offensive. The
miners in the other fields and all workers must
understand their duty In this strike. Their duty
is to form solid wall behind these brave shock
| troopers Such wall must be built on the basis
| of moral support, in the form Of mass meetings
to protest the terror, kilograms of greetings ETC.
OF equal Importance and arising from this basis,
is the material support which the strikers must
] have Relief is powerful weapon In the hands
af the strikers. Help win tia strikei