The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1933-08-16

any agreement viii be reached. In
fact, it seems that the hearings have
widened and sharpened all the con-
flicts within the industry itself as
well as with the competing indus
tries such as gas, electricity, oil, etc.
Twenty three codes were present.
ed by various coal operators associa-
tons. The National Miners Union
presented its own code which was
the only code representing the vital
interests OF the miners.
U.M.W.A. Code
THE next highest wage scale was
contained in the code presented
jointly by the UAIWA, and the oper-
ators having agreements with them.
This code makes no other provision
for the miners and in reality cuts
their wages in view of the rising cost
of standard of living. The Progress
sive Miners of America presented
similar code to that of the UMWA,
being supported by the operators
having an agreement with the PIMA.
"All the other codes, particularly
one submitted by the largest group
Of operators, representing about 10
per cent of coal production, demand
low wages, company union, long
hours of labor, etc.
THE coal operators dealing with
the UMWA praised the UMWA Off
Gals to high heaven for their CO.
operation and insisted on one general
code for the entire industry, de-
manding recognition of the UMWA.
A woman, operating mines in Colo
RADIO, stated that her mines were
saved from bankruptcy Que only to
the wonderful cooperation OF the U.
M.W.A. officials. She substantiated
these statements by actual figures,
proving the intensified rationaliza-
ton, reduced cost of production, etc.
1.-THE UMW.A. and the PIMA.
leaders made repeated pledges to
support the NRA in every respect.
The only difference existing between
these leaders was as to who will COL
lect the miners dues.
THE NRA was very careful in per-
hitting the National Miners Union
to appear on the platform.
First, despite the earlier request
Of the NMU. to participate in the
hearings, the representatives Of the
N.M.U. were not put on the speakers
list. Only after determined fight
were they put on the list. Second,
the NM.U. representatives were re-
quired to turn in their statements to
the MIRA counsel, Mr.. Richberg, SO
that he could examine them. Third,
the N.M.U. representatives were kept
from the platform until the very end.
The very last two speakers were F.
Borich and Agnes Smear, represent
ing the NMU.
1.-THE coal operators, the U.M.W.A.
and PIMA. leaders and the entire
administration listened with their
mouths wide open to the arguments
of the N.M.U. representatives.
Put To August %
due to the fact that the coal OPP
orators were not able to reach any
agreement, the admin straton o
journed the hearings until August %
when the administration will aGUempG
to present code agreeable" to all.
In the course of the hearings the
severe crisis in the coal industry was
revealed clearer than ever before.
"a professor presented the figures
revealing that in 1923, $3.50 mines
were in operation, employing $780,
600 miners, while in 1882 only 3,940
mines were in operation, employ
ing 346,00 miners, all on part time
basis, with the mines operating on
ly las days in the year. He also
pointed out that If the operating
mines would go on 30-hour weekly
basis, with the demand for coal as
it is now, the mines would be able
to employ only $4,000.
Hearings like this will not solve
the problems of the miners In fact
they are not being held to discuss
the problems of the miners. They
are being held to discuss the prob
lens of the operators. The prob
lens Of the miners can be solved
only by the miners themselves. The
miners of western and central Penn
sylvania, who attempted to solve
their problems by coming out On
strike, and who were later betrayed
and driven back to work without
winning single demand, will I'M
derstand this and will once more, to-
gether with the rest Of the miners,
undertake to solve their own prob
lems."