Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-31
STRIKE AT MIDNIGHT TAFT AT 0BSEQU|ES
Two Hundred Thousand Coal Other Distinguished Mourners
Miners to Walk Out. at Justice Brewers Funeral.
MANY FIELDS Affected SUPREME COURT PRESENT
Refusal Operators Life and Services
Raise Wages. gized by DR.. Woodrow
TIE-UP LIKELY TO BE BRIEF WORKED FOR FELLOW LINEN
~ ~ ~f ~ r. Body Taken Leavenworth
wv ~ ~ s " for Burial Train Depart
20 -"sAeo SpeooAAS' ing This Afternoon,
Two Hundred Thousand Coal
Miners to Walk Out.
MANY FIELDS AFFECTED
Result Of Refusal Of Operators to
Raise Wages.
TIE-UP LIKELY TO BE BRIEF
President Lewis Expresses the Opin-
ion That District Agreements Will
Be Reached Speedily.

INDIANAPOLIS. Ind. March 31.-The
100000 organized miners of the oitu-
minous coal fields of the United States
will strike at IL o'clock tonight and
will stay away from the mines until
the operators consent to pay an ad-
vance of wages of cents a ton, ac-
cording to the announcement today
from the 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
ganization. I'VE are SO delayed in the
tri-state conference at Cincinnati that
there is hardly time for district agree
ments to be made before the expiration
of the present working contract at
midnight tonight.
1T is unfortunate. but district agree
ments will be made speedily, and I am
confident the suspension of work viii
continue only few days"
Executive Board in Session.
The executive board of the union is in
session today, transacting routine busi-
ness. The members will leave the city
tonight and will go at once to their
respective districts to represent the ma
tional administration in the direction of
the local strikes.
President Lewis will visit the Illinois
field tomorrow and does not expect to re-
turn to his office here until Saturday
night.
Refuse to Grant Raise.
KANSAS CITY, March S1.-This even
ing the whistles of the coal mines of
the southwestern interstate field will call
the men TO work. but In all probability
they will not respond. as they have asked
for an increase in wages which the oper
ators say they cannot mec...
The southwestern coal field employs
about 1000 men, producing 1900, ,0u0
tons of coal annually. and is composed
: of the states of Missouri. Kansas. Okla
Ioma and Arkansas. The operators say
they are willing to continue the contract
made with The miners two years ago. but
;..at they cannot grant the increase asked
for by the miners because of competi-
tive fuel in the shape of fuel oil and gas
and also tie fact that coal is being ship
ped into their territory by the western
and eastern non-union fields.
CHICAGO. March 31.-The most opti-
mistic of the local coal operators today
set thirty days as the probable duration
OF the< shutdown of the coal mines in
Illinois. pending an adjustment of diff
ferences between the 1900 miners and
the operators.
Chicago to Feel Effects.
That Chicago will feel the effects of
shutdown in two weeks was the predic-
tion of coal men. The railroads and the
large manufacturing plants are prepared
for a suspension of thirty forty days.
but most of the coal dealers have only
about two weeks supply on hand. Prices
are expected to advance sharply to the
small consumer, who buys his fuel in
carload quantities or less and who has
no storage facilities.
The severe weather during the winter
and the inability of the railroads to
move coal to the city fast enough to
meet the demand depleted the stores on
hand. and the coal dealers have been un-
able to catch up.
The Illinois operators are ready to con-
cede the advance in wages asked by the
miners provided other details Of the
working agreement are satisfactorily ad-
5usted.