Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-04-01
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Indianapolis, April 1.-Three hundred
thousand miners in the bituminous
coal fields in the United States sus-
pended work and demanded higher
wages last night, according to the Of
ficial statement given out by the head
kauartsrya here OF the United Mine
Workers 0f America.
Coincidentally the national officers
organization, which had been in sec
ret session here for two days, depart
ed for their respective states to adj
wise the miners in district conferences
with the mine operators, in which it
is hoped settlements will be speedily
reached. President Thomas L. Lewis,
before leaving to visit the centers OF
the different mining fields, made the
following estimate of the number of
miners affected by the suspension of
work:
western and central Pennsylvania,
100. 900; Ohio, $4,000; Indiana, $4,000;
West Virginia, 10000; Illinois. $4,000;
Iowa, $4,000; Kansas, Arkansas, Texas
and Oklahoma, $4,000; Michigan, 5000;
Colorado, 5000; western Kentucky, 81
900. Total 100000.
Lewis Reviews Situation.
Reviewing the situation, President
Lewis said: when the national ex-
ecutive board adjourned last night, we
all felt that the prospect was very
satisfactory for the miners. In many
district now 1t is only a question Of
miners and operators sitting down to-
getiler and talking over the business.
In eastern Ohio, where we expected
strong opposition, 1t is reported to us
that three of the largest companies
S1y % e3sr t1,n Por
mulated at the recent meeting in Gin
cinnati. The Indiana and the Hook
ing district OF Ohio will reach settle
ments next week. Probably there will
be more difficulty in western Pennsyl-
vania and Illinois, where powder and
shot f1rers' wac questions are in
vcIved"
Walkout; NOT Strike.
Tho miners declare the walkout as
not strike, but merely a. suspension
of work pending arrangements be-
tween themselves and the operators
for wage scale for another year, the
old scale having expired in March.
The men demand an increase of pay
In some Instances of. cents per ton,
and In other instances more and GER
tain changes in working conditions.
The first victory for the men came
in m announcement from Brazil, Ind,
center OF the Indiana block coal dis
trict, where the mems demand for a
cent increase is to Jbe granted.
Complete in Ten States.
In the eleven states affected by the
Suspension, the shutdown is complete
IN all except Pennsylvania In the lat
ter state only the Pittsburg district,
employing about $4,000 men and pro-
ducing about 6O,0OO,000 tons, is, in
volved. In central Pennsylvania a ma
torfty OF the mines are not organized,
and as the nonunion mines have posted
notices Of an increase in wages, it is
said no effort will be made by the
union to have them shut down.
Internal strife among the United
Mine Workers may prolong the sus-
pension beyond present indications. ac-
cording to those who are familiar with
conditions. The situation is said to be
most hopeless in western Pennsylvania
and In the southwestern states In the
southwest 1t is believed, the mines will
remain closed for months, or as long
as the miners are able to Hold out, for
the operators have declared that they
VIII not pay any increase in wages.
Contend Over Explosives.
IN the Pittsburg district the trouble
mining laws OF Pennsylvania require
which are considered least dangerous
The permissible explosive skaters the
coal much more than does black