The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-10-17
Is Described as "Runa-
way Affair By Illi-
nois Fuel Director
CALL OFF STRIKE
IN THE SOUTHWEST
Miners Heed Demands Of
National Officers and
Fuel Administration
(By Associated Press.l


Washington, Oct. 17.--FederaI Fuel
Administrator Garfield and John p
White president of the mine work.
ers, took up the illinois coal strike
situation in conference today and ID
was announced efforts would be
made at once to get the men back to
work.
After the conference Mr.. Garfield
sent an appeal by telegraph TO min
ers and operators to consider the ma
tional emergency and hesume pro-
duction.
Chicago, Oct. 17.-That the coal
production OF Illinois is reduced 49,
600 tons a day on account OF the
present miners walkout and that the
situation has developed into a run
away" strike are two reasons point
ed out by James e. Williams, state
fuel administrator, why the federal
government, through National Coal
Administrator Garfield, should take
hurried action. A report on the sit
uation was on its way TO Washington
today.
Mr.. Williams points out that his
work Is not concerned with the set
tlement of strikes and his report to
federal officials is merely to acquaint
them with conditions. II requested
to act in the role Of mediator he
would not decline, he declared.
Twelve thousand Illinois coal min
ers are said to be on a strike which,
according to members of the United
Mine Workers union, is unauthor-
lied. Reports are that the miners
have struck under a misapprehen-
sion that the increased wage scale
was to go into effect at once. Union
leaders have informed the men that
no wage increases can be effective
until an increase in coal prices at
the mine has been decided upon to
cover It.
Mr.. Williams has begun the mobi-
lization of an elaborate neighborhood
organization to handle the fuel sit
uation. Every hamlet in Illinois will
report daily on exact fuel conditions.
thus enabling the government I'd
know how extensive coal demands
are and whether there has been any
change in the retail price.
Strike Called OF.
Kansas CITY, Oct 11s--Tlie strike
Of 81, 900 coal miners, called for next
Friday in all mines 0pexated BY
members OF the Southwestern Inter
state Operators ASSOCIATION m Mis-
souri,, Oklahoma and Arkansas, was
called Off early last night, accord
ing to Alexander Howat, district
president of the United Mine Work
ers Of America, following receipt of
telegram from National President
John White of the Mine Workers
saving that the proposed strike vio-
lated the terms OF the agreement
signed in Washington between the
operators and miners.
Garfield Demands Settlement.
Washington, Oct. 17.-Fuel Ad-
ministrator Garfield yesterday tele-
graphed the heads OF the district
unions, demanding that there be no
walkouts and giving warning that
he would use every power committed
to him. to prevent them. Similar
messages went to the operators in
the territory.
Following Is the message DR.. Gar
field sent the union officials. similar
kilograms going to the operators in
the territory involved:
Il am informed that the officers
of your national association have
appealed to you to use every effort
in your power to avert a strike at
Continued on Page Seven.