Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1900-09-10
STRIKE is POSTPONED
Mine Workers Will Not Go Out in
the Anthracite Regions
for Few Days.
WILL GIVE THE OWNERS A CHANCE
To Climb Down, but Will Not Say How
Much Time-Statement of
Grievances. -

indianapolis, Sept. 1O.-The nation
al executive board of the United Mine
Workers of America adjourned yes
terday sine die without promulgaung
a formal Endorsement of the applica-
ton of the miners of the anthracite
districts for permission to strike. At
the close of the session President John
Mitchell said: There is practically no
change in the situation since last
night. If the operators do not meet
our demands within Il given time the
strike will be ordered upon the indorSe-
ment OF Secretary Wilson and myself.
Whether the time allowed is i've days
or longer / decline 10 say. As set out
in our statement of yesterday intiu-
ences are at work 10 bring about set
Element without ordering the men 10
lay down their tools. l must again de-
cline to say what these influences are
for the reason that making this infor-
nation public would at once destroy
their effectiveness.
Knows of No Politics in the Game.
eff there are any political influences
at work 1 know nothing of them, and
l do not think it has come TO the
knowledge of the board members. 1t
would be very bad policy for the ma
ask the intercesSion of any political
party and this most certainly has not
been done. We are simply trying to
get for the miners of our organization
and those not affiliated with US hon.
est wages"
Sum-Up of the Situation.
Summed up. the situation. according
To the admissions of President Mitch
ell, is simply this: Negotiations are I'M
dOubtedly on for a settlement of the
differences without strike. SO long
as these are pending the miners WI
not strike Cor the reason that the op-
orators would be left a loophole of es-
cape from the position they now oc-
cupy by saying the men had gone out
ut a time when there was n chance
that an amicable settlement might have
been brought about.
Grievances of the Miners.
In 4 statement issued by the eXecu-
tive board Saturday the miners griev-
ances We're stated i'll part as follows:
Their wages have not kept pace with
the cost of living. and in some in
stances have been reduced: they havo
been required TO deal in company
stores and accept the services of the
cOmpany's doctor; they have beeen re-
quir"d To accept wages based upon an
antiQuated sliding scale that invaria-
bly, slides downward; they have had
their wages reduced by an arbitrary
and eXhorbitant system of dockage:
they have been compelled to wait for
their pay weeks after the time spec
flied by law and in open violation of
the same. and in many other ways
their rights and liberties have been
trampled upon; in many instances
they have been compelled to take their
children from school at n very tender
age in violation of law and put them
TO work in he breakers in order TO
earn sufficient food TO support their
families"
Puplic Sympathy Is Wanted.
Delay in the PRONUNCIATION of the
strike order is wanted in order to en-
able the public to see that the miners
wages will not he raised by the opera
tors without n fight: their grievances
upon the powder question. wherein
they complain that they are paying 81
more per kcG n 'pluck-me' stores
than is asked in the open market: that
they are not allowed a check weigh
man on the tipple. and must accept the
weights Of companies that exact from
them more than $500 pounds for
ton which is sold on basis Of 2.240
pounds to the ton.