THE AMERICAN STRIKE

Waikato Times, Volume 96, Issue 15025, 23 August 1922, Page 5

THE AMERICAN STRIKE

MK COMPEKS' APPEAL

TRADES UNIONISM AT STAKE.

COAL INQUIRY SUGGESTED

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) NEW YORK, August 21.

Mr Samuel Gompers, president of tl>.' American federation of Labour, lias appealed to organised Labour urging it to give the fullest moral and financial support to the striking railway shopmen. lie asserts Ilia! the resistance of the railway companies has been strengthened by powerful forces which arc seeking to crush trades unions, and that the future of organised labour depends upon the. outcome of the strike. The strikers are endeavouring to secure a living wage for the maintenance of the American standard of living, reasonable working conditions, and the right of organisation.

Mr W. E. Borah, a member of the Senate, has telegraphed 1 to the railway executives and strike leaders urging both sides to hasten a settlement and avoid losses of perishable crops. He points out that growing districts in the west will suffer considerable losses unless these crops of fruit and vegetables are moved to the eastern markets.

Mr Winslow, a member of the House of Representatives, after a conference with Mr Harding, introduced a bill to create a fact-finding coal commission of nine members who shall be appointed on the recommendation of the President at a salary of 10,000 dollars each. No Congressman interested in coal shall be allowed to serve. The commission's tenure shall bo one-year, and its expenditure shall be limited to 500,000 dollars. It shall be instructed to investigate the ownership of mines, the price of coal, wages, wage contracts, and the profits of mine operators and coal distributors. The commission shall report to the President and Congress by the New- Year, including its recommendations.