PRESIDENT HARDING CALLS FOR QUICK SETTLEMENT OF NATIONWIDE COAL STRIKE
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On July 1, 1922, President Warren G. Harding warned coal mine operators and miners to come to a quick settlement of the nationwide coal strike "for your mutual good and the country's common good."
The President spoke at the opening meeting of "the conference of bituminous and anthracite coal operators and officers of the United Mine Workers*" held at the White House.
Mr. Harding insisted...
"the larger public interest must be asserted in the name of the people when the common good is the first and highest concern."
President Harding emphasized that if a prompt agreement could not be reached between the two parties, "(federal) government aid will be available at your joint call."
*United Mine Workers (UMW) founded in Columbus, Ohio in 1890. Today headquartered in Triangle, Virginia, the union represents 80,000 members.
In its history, UMW has achieved the 8 hour work day, collective bargaining rights, health & retirement benefits, & higher wages for its members.
JFK+50 NOTE
After World War I, coal operators reduced production & cut wages. In Feb 1922, the UMW stood against wage concessions and demanded a 6 hour work day along with a 5 day work week. On April 1st, UMW declared a nationwide coal strike.
The White House conference of July 1922 was without results but the strike was settled in August 1922 by the operators and the union without government involvement.
SOURCES
"Coal Strike of 1922," The Early History of Heilwood, A Western Pennsylvania Coal Mining Town, www.heilwood.com/
"Public Comes First, President's Warning To Coal Conferees," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., July 1, 1922, The Newspaper of the Evening Star, July 1, 1922, Page 1," www.gastearsivi.com/
"The Bituminous Coal Strike," CQ Researcher Archives, www.library.cqpress.com/
