Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-11-21
CBy the Associated Press

Washington, Nov. IL BituminoEa
tically an ultimatum Oh the coal mil
ers' representative here today, tell
ing them that the offer of Yesterday
OF 10 cents ton and % per cent day
wage increase was the most that could
be given, The miners went into 4
conference Immediately 10 consider
the offer Acting President Lewis uf
the mine workers spent part OF the
morning with Secretary OF Labor Wi
son.
1t was said the joint conference If
miners and operators would be resum-
ed this afternoon. at which lime the
union chiefs would announce their an
swer to the offer. II is not expected
that the terms will be accepted
1t il announced the shortage OF coal
it. becoming increasinly acute from
day to day.
Kansas City Out OF Coal.
Kansas City. Mo. Nov. II -Tne
available coal supply ON the Kan
City market vii. be exhausted by to-
night, 1t was announced TO-DAY after a
check of the situation by members OF
the local sub-regional coal committee.
As a result OF the shortage drastic re-
strictions VIII be neceS Sary.
Miners Study Wage offer.
Washington. Nov. 2l--In continuing
their endeavor to draw a wage con
tract that will get coal miners in the
central competitive field back to work
operators ana miners had before them
today the offer of the operators TO
give the men a 10 cent ton increase
lor piece workers in the mines and z
per celt additional in wages to day
workers.
The offer was made as a COmpro
mise of the miners demands fer the
30-hour week and a sixty per cent in
crease in compensation.
Outlying operators who have Beer
following the negotiations ccntd"
predicted that the agreement IN th'
central field. if reached woull serve
az a basis for wage scale contra "''
affecting them. f. w Lukins, prcsi
dent of the inter rstate coal operator
association their spokesman, said the
central field offer was u very liberia
one. and expressed hope for its accept
ance.
Calculations as to the price OF Goa
made on the basis of the operators
offer Indicated. it was said that con
Stunning public would he asked to pa
in case of It's acceptance about goo
O0O.Ocr per annum additional for II
coal
Packing Houses May Close.
Chicago, III, Nov 2l,--The dali II
creasing coal shortage TODAY had be
gun to menace additional indu~trie
and threaten slightly the nationH
food supply. with the furtner prcsp"t
OF a sweeping curtailmen, Of passei
ger traffic with twentv-four hours.
Assthe approximately $4,000 bfun
inous coal miners rounded out thre
weeks OF idlenes i became knCwl
through q statement here by the r.
uional coal committee that the bi
Chicago packing plants "havC abo,
two weeks supNlv" of soft cCal lef
and that when trey have used tn;
the committee will not hesable to +
lease any coal 10 them
The Immediate future of the ste
industry today was causing concer
according to one PENNSYLVANIA man
soctnrer. and in the Chicago distri
the Corn Products Co at Argo.. "
announced SUSPENSION. it's other pln
at Pekin. H.. both having n capaci
Of 100000 bushels Of corn a day.
ready having been closed The rerio
ol conl committee Indicated 1t G
pected extensive shutdowns furil
tho royt ten davs unless production
n large scale was resumed.
Walker y Hines. federal direct
sgena~nl ~ railroads announced art
his two day conference here with