Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 273, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 November 1919 — MINERS CALL OFF STRIKE [ARTICLE]

MINERS CALL OFF STRIKE

MINERS RETURN TO WORK AS LEADERS PREPARE FOR FRIDAY SESSION. Indjanapolis, Nov. 11. —The United Mine Workers of America late this afternoon accepted an irtVitation of Secretary of Labor Wilson to meet the operators in Washington Friday, and notified Thomas F. Brewster, chairman of the operators’ scale committee, of this decision. The announcement was made by Ellis Searles, editor of the Mine Workers’ Journal, who called attention to the fact that the operators asked aconference of representstives of the centrfd eompetitive field, whereas Secretary Wilson’s -invitation did not make this limitation. . . „ . Mr. Searles said the full scale Committee of' ths miners would be present and that each district of the bituminous fields would be represented by one official. Strike Recall Approved. Judge A. B. Anderson in federal court this morning approved the order of the executive board of the United Mine Workers calling off the strike. Judge Anderson characterized the order as a “good faith effort to comply with his mandate. The text of the order follows: “Indianapolis, Nov. 11» 1913“To the officials and members of the United Mine Workers of America: ’ —7“Dear, Sirs and-Brothers: in obedienA to the mandate issued on November 8 by the United States court, district of Indiana, Judge A. B. Anderson presid- ■ ing, the undersigned hereby advise you that the order of October 15, directing a cessation of operations in the bituminous , fields of our jurisdiction, is withdrawn end cancelled. “Yours fraternally, “WILLIAM GREEN, Secretary-treasurer. r “JOHN L. LEWIS, President.” Howat Still Defiant. Alexander Howat, of Pittsburg, Kan., president of district No. 14, 1 reasserted this afternoon his defi to ' the injunction. , -t I “I’ll sayvthis,” he continued. it i was a bitter pill for some of the miners and a sad disappointment. ■ We are not fighting the government, but we are fighting for the inalienable rights of the miners.” He said that, he did not believe all the miners would resume - work under the order. William Green, in a statement late today, said: “The United Mine Workers representatives decided to obey , the mandate of the federal court. In doing so, however, they feel a great injustice has ■been done them. No attention has been paid to their griev- _ ances. The power of the federal government was united with the coal operators for the " obvious purpose of forcing them to work under intolerable conditions and against their will. “One may reasonably ask if forcing men to work against their will and without a contract is not involuntary servitude. It is surprising indeed that such a condition would be tolerated in America, where inservitude, exceptas a punishment for crime, is prohibited bythefederalcGnstitution. Rights Are Disregarded. “Evidently the government determined the millers must ~ be compelled" to work regardless' of their grievances, their protests or their constitutional rights. - “What must 'be the state of mind of the miners who, smarting with a sense of injustice, are driven back to the mines over their protest and against their will by the very government they supported and served so loyally during th 6 war with Germany? What must be the feeling of these-men when they realize the federal government . chooses to protect the coal operators who profiteered during the war, and to crush the miners when they are striving for decent wages, tolerable condi-, tions of employment and a higher standard of life? • . “In fairness to the miners, the government ought to have directed its legal and moral force toward compelling the operators to meet the miners in joint conference for the purpose I of negotiating an agreement and for the settlement of just grievances. “ . . , “In behalf of the mine workers* organization, I protest against the gross injustice which the federal government has inflicted upon the mine workers of America.”