Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 61, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 October 1919 — THREATENED COAL STRIKE [ARTICLE]

THREATENED COAL STRIKE

Will Take Place on Scheduled Time, Says Mine Head. GO LITTLE SLOW SAYS WILSON In Official Statement Issued Sat* urdny From Washington in • Warning to Lenders. * 1 The bltumous coal miners’ strike scheduled tor Saturday, Nov. 1, unless their demands of a 30-hour-week and 60% increase in pay is forthcoming, vHll positively tak# place all over the entire country,, say the union miner 'heads, despite the warning issued 'by President Wilson Saturday. The conference in Washington! last week between the operator# and heads of the miners' union failed in accomplishing anything to avert the threatened strike. The operators agreed to arbitrate the differences, but the miner official# dmanded the whole loaf, and a# a result no headway was made. The miners’ officials are to have a conference in Indianapolis thia week, and unless an agreement can foe had to avert this strike it may result in a showdown as to whether this labor union—and others a# stronger than the government. President Wilson’s plain talk to the miners follows: Washington, D. C-, Oct. 27.--President Wilson’s statement calling on the coal miners to rescind the strike order, effective Nov. 1„ follows:

"On Sept. 23, 1919, the convention of the United Mine Worxer# of’ America, at Cleveland, 0., adopted a proposal declaring that all contracts in the bituminous held shall be declared as having automatically expired Nov. 1, 1919, and i making various demands; including 'a 60% increase in wages and the adoiptlon of a six-hour work day and a hve-day week; and providing that; in the event a satisfactory wage agreement should not oe secured for the central competitive field before Nov. 1, 1919, the national officers should be authorized and instructed to call a general strike of all bituminous miners and mine workers throughout the United States, effective Nov. 1, 1919. "Pursuant to these instructions, the officers of the organization have issued a call to make the strike effective Nov. 1. This is one of the gravest steps ever proposed in this country, affecting the economio welfare and the domestic comfort and health of the people. It la proposed to abrogate an agreement as to wages whldh was made with the sanction of the United States fuel administration and which was to run during the continuance of the war,- but not beyond April 1, 1929. This strike is proposed at a time when the government is making the most earnest effort to reduce the cost of living amd has appealed with success to other classes of workers to postpone similar disputes until a reasonable opportunity . has been afforded for dealing with the cost of living. “It Is recognized that the strike would practically shut off the country’s supply of its principal fuel at a time when Interference with that supply is calculated to create a disastrous fuel famine.All Interests would be affected alike by a strike of this Character, and its victims would be not the rich only, but the poor and the needy as well —those least able to provide in advance a fuel supply for domestic use. It would involve the shutting down of countless industries and the throwing out of employment of a large number of the workers of the country. , "It would involve stopping the operation of railroads, electric light and gas plants, street railway lines and other public utilities, and the shipping to and from this country, thus preventing our _givi<ng aid to the allied countries with supplies which they so seriously need. The country is confronted with this prospect at a time when the war Itself is still a fact, when the world is still in suspense as to negotiations for peace, when our troops are still being transported and when their of transport is in urgent need 'of fuel. “From whatever angle the subject may be viewed, It Is apparent that such a strike In such circumstances would be the most farreaching plan evefr presented in this country to limit the facilities of production and distribution of a necessity of life and thus Indirectly to restrict the production and. distribution of aU the necessities of life. A strike unde'r these circumstances is not only unjustifiable, it is unlawful. "The action proposed has apparently been taken without any vote

■mpon the specific proposition by the individual members of the United Mine Workers of America throughout the United States, an almost unprecedented proceeding. I can not ‘believe that any right of any Aimerican worker needs for its protection the taking of this extraordinary step and I am convinced that when the time and money are considered it constitutes a fundamental attach, which is wrong • both morally and legally, upon the rights of society and upon the welfare of our country. I feel convinced that individual members of the United Mine Workers would not * vote, upon full consideration, in favor of such a strike, under these conditions. t “Wlhen a movement reaches a point vyhere it appears to involve practically the entire productive capacity of the country with respect to one of the most vital necessities of daily domestic and industrial life, and when the (movement is asserted in t'he circumstances I have stated, and at a time, and in a manner, calculated to involve the maximum of dangers in the public welfare in this critical hour of our country's life, the public Interest becomes the paramount consideration. “In these circumstances I solemnly request both the national and the local officers and also the Individual members of the crnited Mime Workers of America to recall all orders looking to a strike on Nov. 1, and to take whatever steps . may be necessary to prevent any stoppage of work. "It is time for plain speaking. These matters with which we notv deal, touch not only the welfare of a class, but vitally concern the well being, the comfort and the very life of the people. I feel it is my. duty in the public interest to declare tfrat any attempt to carry out the purpose of this strike and thua to paralyze the Industry of the country with the consequent sufferings and distress of all our people, must be considered a grave moral’and legal wrong against the government and the people of the United States. I -can do nothing else than to say that the law will be enforced and the means will be found to protect the interests of the nation in any emergency that may arise out of this unhappy business. * ; ''■?

“I .express no opinion on the merits of the controversy. I have already suggested a plan by which a settlement may be reached and I hold myself in readiness at the request of either or both sides to ■appoint at once a tribunal to investigate all the facts with a view to aiding in the earliest possible orderly settlement of the questions at issue between the coal operators and the coal miners, to the end that the Just rights, not only of those interests, but also of the general public, may be fully protected.’’