Salt Lake Tribune | 1919-10-30 | Page 6 | Coal Strike Certain

COAL STRIKE CERTAIN. Contrary to general- expectation, contrary to tTio law of tho land as enunciated enun-ciated by President Wilson, and contrary con-trary to tho welfaro and happiness of tho people (if tho United States, the loaders of tho bituminous coal miners have declined to call off the threatened threat-ened strike, and 500,000 diggers aro to slop work at midnight, Friday. Xo effort was mado at the Indianapolis conference to annul tho action of the men who called the striko at tho Clove-land Clove-land convention, and tho authority of tho government at Washington haS been challenged, and this while a stato of war exists. Only ono outcome is possible. pos-sible. Tho coal mines must bo op-crated, op-crated, and it is tho duty of the gov-, eminent, backed by all tho patriotic citizens of tho country, to prevent interference in-terference upon tho patt of tho strikers. There is no law under which men who violate contracts can be compelled to work. Yet there are certain penalties penal-ties which they must pay. Tho aliens among tho strikers can, and probably will, bo deported, and the others will bo dealt with under tho terms of the law passed by congress in order that the war might bo prosoeuted without interference upon tho part of tho labor la-bor agitators, while the best and bravest brav-est young men of the land were following fol-lowing the flag of the country. The miners' union officials have decided that, since tho armistice has been signed, they aro undor no obligation to fulfill their contract and they have decided to test the law and also the temper of tho American people They are making a sad mistake if they im-ngine im-ngine for a single second that they will bo allowed to tie up the industries of this great republic and bring woe and suffering to the peoplo of all classes during the icy blasts of Winter. Let there be no misunderstanding upon the subject. Unless the coal strike is broken, the supporters of tho Russian soviet system will score a triumph, and tlie very existenco of the ropublic will be threatened. Wo do riot1 beliovo the decision to strike is in accordance with the wishes af a majority of the men working in the mines, thousands of whom are conservative con-servative in their ideas. Thcso men, who really desire to work in order that they may provide for their families, have doubtless boon submerged as a ro-sult ro-sult of the clamor of tho agitators. Now Is tho time for them to assert their rights as American citizens.