MINERS’ STRIKE.

Grey River Argus, 16 June 1922, Page 3

MINERS’ STRIKE.

IN AMERICA AND CANADA. (Our Blackball Correspondent. > Very little is seen in the Capitalistic Press about the Great American lockout which commenced on April Ist, and is still continuing, as a result of tho determination of the large industrial combines of the United States and Canada to force a reduction ol minors wages to tho extent of 35 per cent on rates existing prior to April Ist. Latest nows to hand, by private letter, is that all the half million members of the United Aline Workets of America arc affected. Thousands of non-union miners, especially in the Pennsylvania coal fields, have also downed tools in sympathy anti as a protest against the reduction. The struggle has every appearance of being a long and bitter one. The capitalists have huge stocks of coal on hand, and, in addition, have the solid backing of President Harding’s administration. It appears that large numbers of small mine owners have offered l to make agreements along the lines of the old existing ones, but they are forbidden to do so by the Coal Owners’ Association. A refusal, of course, to abide by their decision, would probably spell ruination for tho small mine owners, so there is nothing doing as a consequence. In Canada, the miners on Vancouver Island have remained af work. This, of course, is an unorganised field. The coal owners in this district backed up both by the Provincial Legislature and tho Dominion Government, have so far successfully resisted all attempts on the part of tho men to organise, although some gallant lights have been put up with this end in view, notably the 2| years strike of 1912-13-14. In southern British Columba and the whole of Alberta, tho miners of this extensive field have decided not to do a handstroko until tho dispute is settled at a round the table conference. The miners ot this district can bo depended upon to fight to the last ditch in defence of these conditions and the standard of living. Away east, on the Atlantic senboard, the miners of Nova Scotia, numbering several thousands, decided to remain on the job ami fight the Ismic out there, and they have adopted the “ca canny” and obstructionist policy, to the accompaniment of tho usual squeals and threats of the coal-owners,, the Government, and the hireling press. From all accounts, however, our Nova Scotia comrades are refusing to be bluffed; production is down to a minimum. and the coal-diggers are determined to ke’ep it there until tho owners are prepared io agree to former conditions and wages. Tho coal-owners have already made three difterent offers, each being an improvement on the other, and the mine workers of Nova Scotia make no secret ot their belief in their ability to bring the avaricious coal and steel combines of Nova Scotia io heel.