The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-08-10

loI eACepI III company unions.
ion may be forced to take per-
ne in code proceedings.
Thirty-fve years ago. Sem
ator Mark Hanna made up his
mind that nothing but union
izatlon of mine workers. re-
sulting in a general level of
wages throughout the indus
try, could save coal from cha
otto conditions that prevailed.
His efforts in this direction we're
successful for time only.
Bitter Internal Competition
Today the bituminous coal indus
Try has more bitter internal CONNIE
tltion, and more serious over-pro-
auction. than any industry the
recovery administration has studied.
Partly because of this condition
competing fuels. oil. gas. and HYDRO
electricity, have made heavy in
roads into its business.
Coal men argue, with convincing
sincerity, at the hearings. that
further increases in cost of nroduc-
ton will close all or most of the
mines. VIC
Labor leaders argue, Just as con-
vlnclngly, that wage scales must
improve, II workers are TO exist at
an and that this can be done IN
tne industry is planned and disci-
plined.
In 1893. Mark Hanna brought on-
orators and labor leaders together
IN a working agreement covering
coal helds in Ohio, Indiana. Illinois
ana western PENNSYLVANIA. and for
q time, uniform labor costs brought
ABOUT stabilizing conditions out Of
chaos almost as bad as that ~
today.
New Mines Cause Chaos
However. shortly after new min
ing areas were developed in West
virginia and Kentucky. and OPERA
TORS wishing to underseI the es-
taolished mines refused TO admit tho
union in this territory.
john l.. Lewis. president of the
united Mine Workers, telling the
story OF this period to a senate COM
mittee. said:
These conditions were a chaI-
ienge to the stability and profitable
ness OF the industry as it previously
had existed.
unless the newly opened areas
could be unionized and their labor
coStS made uniform with those of
the older fields, it was evident that
the entire soft coal industry would
revert TO chaotic conditions Of the
nineties.
The responsibility of preserving
ana stabilizing the industry thus was
placed upon the United Mine Work.
ers and was met squarely.
AL least S30,000,000 was expended
and incalculable human sacrifices
were made in an attempt to carry the
right OF collective bargaining and OF
decent wages and working condi-
lions to the exploited workers of the
new fields"
Try to Destroy Union
10 some extent the union was
successful. II was making marked
progress in unionization of the Ken
lucky and West Virginia fields when
the strike Of 1922 occurred. pre-
cipitated. according to Lewis. by re-
dictionary operators in the older
nelos. who though they saw in the
postwar period chance Of DESTROY
ing the strength of the union.
The government intervened after
me 1922 strike, in an attempt TO sta
Dilize the industry. and with the
help Of liberal coal operators tenn
porary wage agreements were signed
with the union, and later the Jack
sonyllle agreement was formulated.
designed TO stabilize the industry
over long period by fixing wage
agreements effective until 1927
However, in 1925. coal operators
began abrogsting the Jacksonville
agreement. Operators in Kentucky
and West Virginia were first 10 do
so. Bethlehem Mines Corporation.
operating both in West Virginia
ana Pennsylvania, followed suit.
Then followed the Rochester and
Pittsburgh Coal Company and.
finally. the Pittsburgh Coal Com
pany.
NRA Unlikely 10 Yield
In 1927. with the government
again an interested party. new
conference was held in Florida. and
new attempt vas made to bring
about longtime wage agreements.
This was not successful. Since 1923.
wages constantly have been cut on
competitive basis.
The NRA shows no sign OF Weld
ing on its insistence that the strict
letter Of the law. giving workers the
right TO organize and bargain COL
lectively, will be followed in what
ever code or codes are finally APP
proved.
This means that unless the coal
men recede. President Roosevelt
probably will overrule them on this
point.
Auto Injuries Cause Death