The Oskaloosa herald., 1917-10-18
MINERS ON STRIKE;
DEMAND PAY RAISE
Union Leaders Call Action of Men
"0pen Rebellion"
REPORT SENT WASHINGTON
State Fuel Administrator Outlines Sit
ustlon to Gartield--Men Quit Be.
cause Of Failure to orser
Price Increase.

traitor for Illinois, sent a report on the
Illinois coal mine strike situation in
dicating that fully 5000 tons a day
of production had been cut OFF, that
there was fear Of the trouble spread
ing and that immediate action was
urgent.
The fuel administrator and the
miners union officials Joined in de-
claring the situation TO be one of open
rebellion, existing wage agreements
being regarded as ''scraps of paper"
The trouble was precipitated by the
failure of National administrators GAR
field to order Immediate Increases Ia
Illinois coal prices and Of the mine
operators in turn to put extra pay in
the miners envelopes
Expected More Pay.
"The mine workers had expected 10
find more pay in their envelopes"
said Mr.. Williams. They believed
the agreement entered into by the
mine operators with the union Off.
Gals at Washington had become OF
Immediate effect. The operators con.
tend that the wage increase was de-
pendent ueon Administrator Garfield
Increasing the coal prices at Illinois
mines
When the miners did not find the
Increased pay In their envelopes on
Saturday when the semi-monthly
wage was distributed they failed 10
report back for work. At the pres
ent time / understand that practically
all mines in Williamson, Franklin
and Macoupin counties are idle and
that the disaffection has spread 10
several other big coal-produclng coun-
ties.
THE miners union officials have
urged the men not to violate their
wage agreements but TO no avail. II
IS runaway strike. The men want
the 10 cents a ton and $1.40 day IA
creases, which were agreed upon, at
once. This latter would give them
S5-a-day fiat rate.
"Up to Garfield"
''While the situation is serious,
believe that it will be settled as soon
as Mr.. Garfield takes action. / have
made a full report TO him covering
all angles. I believe that the matter
can be satisfactorily adjusted within
a day or two after Mr.. Garfield APP
proves the wage contract.
It became known that a report con-
tanning estimates of the amount which
should be added to the price of a
ton of coal at the mines to cover the
wage increase has been in course of
production and should be ready in a
day or two. 1t was said in Washing
ton that the failure to receive this re-
port had made 1t Impossible for Mr..
GARFIELD TO approve the wage agree
ment.
Arrangement in Doubt.
Whether an arrangement can be eff
fected which will include an increase
in the pay check which caused the
walkout is doubtful, it being said that
the report was predicated on the in
crease becoming effective on next pay
day, Novembes l. In Washington Mr..
Garfield and his advisers conferred re-
garding the Illinois situation, and eff
forts will be made at once to induce
the miners TO resume work.
Watts on Report.
Rough estimates have been made
that 1t would be necessary to raise
tie price of coal at the mines from
30 TO 80 cents ton. Until the report
Is made, however, Mr.. Garfield viii
have no way Of determining the exact
amount.
That he is determined to prevent
strikes IL possible was indicated in ac-
ton taken in connection with the stu
alton in southwestern states. As soon
as he heard that 3J,G00 men in the
Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Ar
kansas mine fields were planning to
walk out he sent kilograms TO heads Of
local unions declaring that strikes
must not take place and warned ihe.n
he would use "eyery power committed
Ia him" to prevent them. He urged
them 10 send committee to Washing
ton.
This appeal, along with one sent out
by John r. White, president Of the
National Miners union. ordering the
men to stay at work, had It's effect,
and the strike was called of.
Message Of Garfield.
In his message, Mr.. Garfield said:
Il am informed that the officers of
your national association have APP
pealed TO you TO use every effort In
your power to avert strike at this
time, In view of the national situation
aud the great task imposed on Presi-
dent Wilson. Strikes must not take
place. The terms Of the agreement
agreed upon at Washington between
operators and miners are fair.
II shall use every power committed
10 me TO prevent strikes and warn you
against allowing the order TO stand"
Cutting off 10000 tons of daily pro-
duction would practically paralyze
the industry In the state, and with
cold weather but a short time of and
manufacturing concerns running night
and day 10 meet the war order enier-
gency the situation would become