The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1905-04-17
ILLINOIS FACING
GREAT STRIKE
Biggest Struggle in States His
tory Imminent
UNION HOLDS 100000
WILL DEMAND OPEN
SHOP AND CLEANER PRO-
DUCT, WITH MEN ON
SHORT" TIME.

Springfield. H.. April 1G.-"CentraI
Illinois faces the most complete and
disastrous miners strike In the his
tory Of the great coal belt. It's prcb
able effects upon the minerr. business
interests. and the region in general
cannot be estimated. Exceedingly
hard times are in ltore for us and the
thousands of persons upon whose earn
ngs We depend fora livelihood.
Thus spoke today a prominent bust
ness man who operates a large general
store in the central Illinois coal min
ing district These dire forecasts are
due TO the prevailing belief that the
-trike is due 70 occur May /, 1906
when the present agreement between
the mineworkers' union and the opera.
tors expires.
1t is said the un'on has IN its
treasury 100000 for emergencies. but
that this would be sufficient TO defray
the expenses of a general strike fof
less than sixty days
Miners Working on "Shcrt Tire"
For many months the majority Of
mines have been running on third and
half time, thus materially reducing
the earnings OF the great army Of
m ners Pay day comes every two
weeks, when the average miner settles
his running accounts for the neees
saries Of life and spends the rest OF
the money more freely, possibly. than
any other claes Of men.
When his earnings are below nor
NAL he becomes discouraged aud de.
spondent, resorting to stimulants as ,
balm for his troubled state Of mind
recklessly expendlng his fortnightly
allowance, even hofcTe settling store
accounts. Thus the business man Ii
the first to observe approaching hare
times and to dread the disastrous re
suits.
Probable demands for cleaner coal
and an open shop policy by the opera
tors are the chief reasons assigned
for anticipating general strike
Thece demands are said to be coming
without doubt and just as surely will
the miners refuse TO accede TO them
Sentiments TO this effect are express
ed by lead ng business men through
out the district. and their consensus
OF opinion forms reliable barometer
from which TO judge Of approaching
storms
Average Earnings $3.50 to 81 a Day
AT the national convention of the
United Mineworkers of America at In
in January OF last year
general agreement with the OPERATOR
was entered into covering a period OF
Two years. ending May I. 1906. Prices
paid to the workingmen vary with the
lccal conditions OF the various dis
tricts. Fifty cents ton is the ordi
nary price, and s17o to $40 a iineal
yard Is paid for shooting aud cutting
the halls" or entrance ways connect
Ing the many chambers Of mine.
At these prices the average man
will earn $3.50 to 81 day. and the
more expert or industrious MP to 81
pr IS. Working en- short time, the
miners are drawing 500 10 s25 every
two weeks, clear Of expense for pow.
Ter, etc
Various rumors are afioat as to the
real cause for operating the mines on
short" time Many well informed
men attribute It TO an overproduction
brought about by too ample prepare
ion on the part OF the owners for the
asst strike Others believe the oper
itors desire TO reduce the earnings C
such an extent that the men win not
DO prepared to hold cut long during
he coming strike. while still others
lold IL is simply an ordinary case oi
iupply and demand
Secret Meeting BY Operators.
In the face OF all these peculiar,
conditions. many new
mines arc being opened in various
'art5 OF tho district The most sen.
ible view is that the operators are or
sanized thoroughly and regulate the |
upply n order more easily 20 govern /
lrices. The extensive operators are /
aid TO hold occasional secret meet.
ngs al Springfield. and could the walls
4 the Leland hotel be induced to give
ip their secrets considerable light 1
you'd be thrown upen the mysterious /
ituation.
Experience has taught that there is
10 way Il fixing the diaere1ces be
ween operators and miners 50 they
vii stay fixed. A possible solution
o the Troublesome problem Is demon
tfated by two cooperative mines at
pfingfeld. where the owners all are
aboring men and dig their own coal
'hese men are sober. Industrious. ana
i've az example Of ideal American /
itizeRsh p. although some Of the
are worth Se8.0oa to 500. 4
%. theT stfll toll in the mines. and &
resent a commendable and inBuential
xsmple tc their fellow workers