The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-31
STRIKE TONIGHT.
Organized Coal Miners to the
Number of 100000
Will Quit Work When the Clock
Points to 12.
WILL QUIT THE MINES
Until the Operators Grant an
Advance of Wages.
The Increase Asked Is Only Five
Cents a Ton.

Indianapolis, Ind. March 31.-The 2Oo,-
600 organized miners of the bituminous
coal fields of the United States VIII
strike at II o'clock tonight and will
stay away from the mines until the op-
orators consent to pay an advance IN
wages of five cents a ton according
to the announcement at headquarters
OF the United Mine Workers Of America
in this city.
Il have received no information that
the miners and operators of any dis
trict will get together today" said
Thomas l. Lewis, president of the or
gGnizaion. TT IS barely possible there
will be joint conferences in the Indiana
block coal district and in the Hooking
districts be fore night. We were 50 de-
layed in the tri-state conference at
Cincinnati. that there is hardly time
for district agreements to be made be-
fore the expiration of the present work
ing contract at midnight tonight.
1T is unfortunate. but the district
agreements will be made speedily and
I am Confident that the suspension of
work will continue only few days"
The executive board of the miners
Union is in session today transacting
routine business. The members will
leave the city tonight and will go at
cIrce to their respective districts to
represent the national administration
in the direction of the local strikes.
President Lewis will visit the Illinois
field tomorrow and does not expect to
return to his Office here until Sunday
night.
Iowa Operators Weaken.
Des Moines. Ia, March 31.-Rumors
that the Iowa coal operators are ready
to grant an increase of cents asked
by the mine workers gained credence
following a visit of President John P.
Reese and a committee Of operators
to the office of the state mining depart
ment early today. Afterwards 1t was
learned that the operators indicated TO
the state mine officials that they are
willing to treat with the men upon
favorable terms to the miners.
President John P. White of the Iowa
mine workers reached the city today
from Cincinnati. It is expected that
his arrival will make it possible for the
first joint conference this afternoon
Mines in Iowa will suspend at this
afternoon, the time for expiration Of
the wage scale.
Willing to Pay New Scale.
Danville, Ill. March 31.-The West
ern Brick company of this city. which
mines it's own coal and employs sew
eraI hundred men. received permission |
today from the mine workers of Hill |
nois to continue mining coal with its
present force, pending the signing of
the new, wage contract. The Hegler |
plant at LaSalle will also be permitted |
to continue to mine for it's own use
The Bunsen1 Coal company, which is |
controlled by the Illinois Steel COM |
pany. is endeavoring to obtain permis- |
sion to continue operations This com |
pany employs 1.500 miners. 1t has /
not a pound Of coal in reserve and |
one of the officers stated that unless |
they obtained permission to continue |
the big steel mills at South |
would be compelled to shut |
down. The company promises to pay |
the new wage scale from April 1.
Many Of the miners favor continuing
work.