The Oskaloosa herald., 1910-08-04
MINERS REJECT
THE COMPROMISE
President Lewis Angered Over Turn
~ il OF Affairs.
MANY REQUEST HIM TO RESIGN
John p. White Being Urged to Make
the Race for the Place. Mr.. White
Tells the Herald He Has no
Time or Inclination.

Workers of the Illinois District under
the leadership of President j. H.
Walker have rejected the compromise
measure that was ordered put to a
vote by National President Tom Lew.
Is. The vote against accepting the
compromise was practically unanim-
Gus. The reason for such an express
ion against the National President and
his work is said to be because the Iii,
nois miners had already effected set
Element with the operators of their
district in much the same manner
that the agreement in the Iowa field
was reached, without aid or interior.
ence Of the national officers and organ.
ization. The Illinois agreement did
not meet with favor at the hands of
the National President and he brought
In his compromise measure, so the
Illinois mine works claim, after they
had already reached an agreement al
Peoria. The miners claim that Lewis
has no jurisdiction in the matter and
that his rulings are without force or
effect, as the Illinois district has full
power to make its own settlement and
agreement.
~ President Lewis has been greatly
angered at the turn affairs have taken
in Illinois and at the drastic resolu.
tions that have been passed by many
of the locals of the state accusing the
national president with treason and
demanding his resignation from the
office at the head of the organization
The vote of the miners on the PROPOSE
tion stood over thirty thousand against
acceptance to fraction over two hun
bred favoring it.
The bitter fight growing out of the
trouble has had the effect of develop
ing great opposition to the President
Tom Lewis as the head of the miners
miners organization and it has caused
the names of severtl prominent lead
ers to be suggested as the successor
of Lewis. Among the names mention
ed is that of John p. White, of Oska.
loosa, president of the Iowa district
whose service in the field in behalf of
the mine workers are known quaint
tiles. The mention of the name of
John P. White has created enthusiasm
in other districts that are standing
shoulder to shoulder with the Illinois
miners in their contention against
extreme odds.
The statement that J. II, Walker
had declared himself candidate
against Lewis is denied by that official
as follows in. a statement given out
for publication at Springfield. Mr..
Walker said;
you can say for me that am not
intending to be a candidate for the
presidency, and have given the matter
no serious consideration. | am not
anxious to make the race and would
only do so if It we're impossible for
those who have the interests of the
organization at heart, to find more
suitable candidate.
'1nasmuch as there are score or
more of excellent men in the move
ment fully capable and competent to
fill this high Office, there need be no
cause for alarm that suitable man
will not be found to oppose T. l..
Lewis. As everyone knows I have
been consistent opponent of our
present chief officer, not from person
al motives, but because do not con
slider him competent official.
No Time for Politics.
my time is now taken up in fur
thering the interests of the miners of
this state, and in trying to secure for
them a proper settlement and fair
adjustment of the wage scale. | nev
er did indulge in the game of politics
and have no desire to make my de-
but in that field at this time. The
presidential bee is not buzzing in my
bonnet"
White Too Busy to Talk.
President John p. White was seen
at his office in this city by a Herald
reporter today concerning the men
ton of his name in connection with
the national presidency. Mr.. White
treated the matter more as joke
than otherwise and had little or moth
ing to say on the subject. He did not,
however, deny that he had been apt
pealed to by some of the leaders to
let his name be used. Wherever the
name has been used the action has
been without his approval or consent.
Mr.. White Is very busy man. He
said, Il have work enough in the Iowa
district to occupy my time without
going outside OF my own field court
ing issues. My time and my efforts
belong wholly and solely to the Iowa
miner and his interests. Questions
are coming up everyday for adjust
ment In the routine of the administra
ton work and every moment of my
time is devoted to them. have invi
tation after invitation to visit this and
that local, make talk" or do this
and that and have no inclination to-
consider and less time TO give TO the
entertainment OF such rumors or mo-
tions. Take for instance the question
of the miners train to Blyth. The
matter required time and earnest con.
sideration through weeks of meetings