Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1908-05-14
VOTING ON
STRIKE QUESTION
Miners of Illinois Resort to Aus
tralian Ballot to Settle Ques-
ton AS To Strike.

CHRISTOPHER, ILL.,, May 7.-Lo-
cal Union SO, U. NJ. w. of A., are
voting in tnis city today on the ques-
tion of whether the union shall strike
or accept the offer of the operators.
The local union is using the Austria
liam ballot system, and the entire day
will be devoted to the purpose of bal
loting. Much interest is manifested
in the question, and it seems a large
vote is being polled.
Most of the unions in Southern Him
ois which have voted on the PROPOSE
tion are reported to have voted largely
against the proposition to strike, and
in Marion it is said but one vote was
cast in favor of striking, while Muir
physboro voted against striking by
very large majority.
There are not less that 66, 900 miners
in Illinois, and some time will be re-
quired in which to vote and ascertain
! the result, but it is expected that the
result of the vote will be announced
| May 9th.
The general impression seems to be
that the miners will accept the offer of
the operators, as President Walker has
practically recommended that they do
so. The general public as we'll as the
miners, is deeply interested in the
question, and the result of tie vote
will be awaited with much concern. :.
The voting here continues today
and tomorrow, and the votes will be
counted here. Four hundred and thir-
ty six votes had been cast up to noon.
Some people express the belief that
the majority vote of the local union
will favor strike.
1t is reported here that the following
named towns have voted to strike
Harrisburg, Tamaroa, Hilidayboro
and Johnston City. H-rrin is said to
have tied on the proposition, while
Sunfield voted against strike.
The following communication ap-
pears in the Danville, ILL.,, CONNER
cial News, of Monday, April 27th. The
Commercial News states that it is
from well known miner of many
years experience, who has participa-
ted in many negotiations with the op-
orators, and who is leader among the
miners
THE difficulty of coming to an
agreement between the coal miners
and coal mine owners of the state of
Illinois, has reached critical point.
The shot tirer's law was passed at the
last session of the legislature, which
provided that in coal mines where
coal is blasted a sufficient number of
practical men shall be employed at the
owners expense to do the firing OF
such blasts.
THE miners and operators of this
competitive field met at Indianapolis
to make scale to govern the industry
as had been their custom for the last
ten years. The competitive relations
existing between Illinois and the rest
of this field, the owners claim is, with
the present rate, unfair to them; with
the extra cost of the shot tirers added
it was out of the question for them tC
meet the competition of eastern coal,
even in the Chicago market
After discussing the question fOl
some weeks, it resulted in disruption
of the relations beween the miners anC
operators, the conference adjourning
sine die without an agreement. After
, three months of being idle the miner,
. in Illinois assumed the cost of this law
and on that basis an agreement was
reached, which has governed the last
two years. The miners organization
has done everything to rid the miners
Of this burden in this present confer
ence, going almost to the point of or
dering a strike in all mines in Illinois.
They have referred the matter back t.
a referendum vote of the miners. Tht
; question being voted on is, "Shall the
5 miners pay the shotfrers, or declare ;
: strikeY'
2 After almost twelve years of peace
in the coal industry the very though
of a strike means recoil, and thinl
5 hard before entering into it, for an i'll
, dustrial strike is industrial war, ant
: we have a high military authority>wh,
9 declared war is hell:"
THE days of local or district strike
with success for the miners are over
With Illinois on a strike and Indiana
Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania
working, with the coal market in it
present ill health, we could strike al
year and the consumers of coal will no
: know we are out.
IF it was iustitiable land think j
! was two years ago for the miners t,
:. pay the cost Of shot frers to get a
;, agreement, when there was many time
: more demand for coal than there
4 now, they certainly, under present con
: ditlons, ought to do so now.
! The Office seeker and demagogue i
the organization will urge a fight, say
ing to you that your officials are nc
y honest nor true to you, but if you lis
: ten to them You will find out in tim
T. such men are in the organization fo
q their personal gain, and will be on tn
Y popular side of every question, even
n they know it Is wrong. You miner
r have lin the opinion of a majority {
p all the men who know them. and I
p my personal knowledge | am sure the
o are correct) as honest, conscientioJ
!, and capable officers in the state of
A linois and Nerlnillion county as are i
. the mines of America anywhere, an
a If you take their advice you viii NJ
I 90 amiss.