The Oskaloosa herald., 1912-04-04
MINERS ORDERED
TO STOP ALL WORK
Complete Suspension viii Begin
on April /.
MEN PREPARED FOR STRIKE
Referendum viii Be Taken In An.
thrscite Reeion-operators and
Miners in Soft Coal Fields
Reach Agreement.

Reach Agreement.
Wfkesbarre. Pa. March 3O.-Presi-
dent John p. Whites order for sus-
pension of all work in the anthracite
fields on April l found the miners
prepared and as a unit they will walk
from the chambers ready to stand by
the national leaders and fight out
their demands with the operators.
Over 10000 men have already left
the CoIieries and will not take adj
vantage of the opportunity TO get in
the last day.
Men Ready for Strike.
The suspension order is considered
by the miners to mean a strike. It
is exactly what they have been pre-
pairing for. The matter of submitting
the strike situation TO a referendum
vote means that the miners will stand
to a man and vote for a strike.
The defense forced upon the or
ganization has so changed conditions
that a mere wage concession could
not restore peace. The feeling every
where prevails that the question OF
recognition must be definitely decided
in the meantime. The miners are
ready to enter a struggle for the pur-
pose of deciding this issue.
Union Has Plenty of Funds.
The suspension order does not Gre
ate the fear that might be expected.
Miners and their families have been
preparing for strike and their fam
lilies appear happy They are well
supplied with provisions and union
leaders say there is plenty of money
available for a long struggle.
The coal companies are prepared TO
look after their interests. The large
concerns decided that their clerical
forces. which means about 5000 men.
must get into overalls and do work
about the cOllieries. This order has
caused some disgust among the
clerks, but If they do not report at
the collieries they will be forced to
quit their positions. The whole hard
coal region is alive with guards and
strikebreakers. They have been
shipped into the districts by the hun
dreds.
The national and district leaders
are expected to arrive here early In
the week. They will call the men to-
gether in meetings and some ar
rangements hurriedly made for the
referendum vote which viii decide
definitely whether the miners are to
strike.
Peace by Agreement.
Cleveland, o. March 30,-Pesce by
agreement was declared in the blum
inous coal fields. There will be short
suspensions to permit the operators
and miners Of the different states ts
settle their internal differences,
but according the agreement made in
the joint conference no change in
present conditions will be made that
will increase the cost Of mining over
the agreement reached here or keep
the miners from earning as much as
they can
Miners Get FIve-Cent Raise.
BY the agreement the miners will
receive an increase Of five cents a
ton for screened coal. three cents for
mine run, 80 per cent for day labor
and dead work and FIVE hours on Sat
urday with five hours pay. All other
demands are waived. The additional
rates demanded by the Illinois miners
in their convention will be dropped
The settlement Of the peace terms
is credited to the work Of the Illinois
operators and miners.
Advise Men TO Accept.
London, March 3O-Speciai: 1t was
stated at the headquarters of the
miners federation today that Off.
cials are counselling the men to vote
to accept the minimum wage bill and
declare the strike off. Most of the
officials are hopeful that this advice
will be taken.