The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-04-01
Many Thousand Miners Are
Idle i'm Both Territories.
SUSPENSION WILL Be SHORT
Arrangements in Progress for
Adjustment of Dispute.
No Cessation of Work in South
west Before May 1.

of PennsyIVania and in the central
competitive fieId'' of the bituminOus
portion of the industry. Officially the
movement is 'suspension'' of work
and whether it Is TO develop into a
widespread strike depends upon the
outcome of voting i'm the union ranks
and of conferences between the men
and employers within the next ten
days.
Anthracite men are more apprehen-
sive than their bituminous brethren
as to the outcome. This condition is
predicated upon the fact that there is
no definite agreement Immediately in
sight for the hard coal men, whereas
the bftuminous conference at Cleve-
land. adjourned after the mems repre-
sentativcs had abandoned practically
all their demands except for increased
wages and on this point modified their
terms considerably.
The uuIon mel arc to take a refer
enduTn ballot at once as to whether
the modified terms for new wage
agreement are to be accepted and
there. is a general feeling that the re-
suit of the ballot Will be Il return to
work.
Upon the outcome of the voting in
the central competitive fcid'@coH-
prising Pennsylvania. Ohio, Indiana
and IlIinois-wiIl depend also the basis
for new wage scales in other sections
of the country where the present
agreements do not expire until May 1
or later. Southern and southwestern
mines and the comparatively few in
tie Rocky mountains states are affect
ed by this status of affairs.
West virginia and Kentucky btu
nlinous fields will not be greatly af-
fected unless the present suspension"
becomes strike. Nonunion labor
pretiominates i'm these mines and the
men, in similar situations i'm the in
sI5.st,s-. have shows a disposition to
continue at work.
Approximately 100000 men are di-
rcctIy affected TODAY and some 100000
more scattered throughout the coal
districts of the country, are watching
the outcome of the suspension" for
its possible effect upon their own
wages and working conditions. 1t
probably will be at least 80 days before
all mines will have resumed, if the
referendum votes and conferences re- |
suit faVOrably, and the last ten days
of that period may present a problem |
as to fuel supply to industries of all
character.
l.
operators believe the suspension of |
work in the hard coal region which |
went into effect today will not con-
tinue long and that the meeting of
the operators committee and repre-
sentatives of the miners in Philadel-
phia on April 10 will result in a basis
of settlement. This belief is strength
ened, the operators say, by the fact
that there have been no traces of Bit
terness shown on either side.
Just what proposition the miners
will submit has not been learned, but
the operators think the chief points
of issue will be the questions of in
creased wages and recognition of the
union. Most of the operators are in
favor of granting an increase in
wages while one railroad is said to
oppose an increase, claiming that it
would wipe out its margin of profit.
1t is reported here today several in
dependent companies had made spe-
cial arrangem ents with their men to
continue mining and that this coal
would be sold to consumers at an in
creased cost.
Mines Are Deserted.
Indianapolis, Ind. April Except
for few bumpers and other men en-
ployed to keep the property in shape,
the bituminous coal mines of Indiana
are deserted today and they will re-
main idle until the 10000 miners re-
ceive notice that the wage contract
agreed to in Cleveland, has been rati-
fled at a referendum vote.
Miners, officials and operators of
this the Eleventh district of the
United Mine Workers of America, de-
clare that the contract will be ratified
by an almost unanimous vote.
Business in Indiana will not be
hampered, as large manufacturers
have laid in supplies of coal to last
them for several weeks.
Takes in $4,000.
Columbus o., April 1.-The $4,000
bituminous coal miners in the south
ern and eastern mining districts of
Ohio are idle today. Although this is
day the men will not return to work
until the completion of the count in
the referendum vote. which will not
be before April Is, according to G. w
Savage, Ohio secretary of the United
Mine Workers. Emergency men were
left in the mines, however, to prevent
damage by water.
Out in Michigan.
Detroit Mich, April 1.-Bituminous
coal miners to the number of about
1900 are idle in Michigan today and
will remain cut of the workings pend
ing the ratification of the new wage
agreement.
Raise in BeIIeviIIe District.
st. Louis. April Goal miners of
the Rellevil1e subdistrict are today
crease Of three cents a ton. The in
crease was provided in the settlement
tentatively made recently with the :
Illinois operators. It probably will be
a month before the new scale is rati-
fed.
Under series of agreements ex-