The Topeka state journal., 1919-11-17
BACK IN The MINES
Resumption of Coal Production
Is Anticipated Today.
West Hard Hit From
Fuel Famine.

Chicago. Nov. 17.-While operators
and union leaders had predicted re-
sumption today of mining on a large
scale in the bituminous coal fields of
the country where more than 100000
miners have been on strike for sixteen
days, only in West Virginia, were both
sides confident that "all the men"
would be back at work during the day.
In the other large producing fields
the men showed a disposition in most
cases to await further results of the
conference at Washington OF operators
and union officials over new wage
agreement before returning to work.
In the meantime a threatened coal
shortage in the middle west has caused
the regional coal committees to con-
slider means of conserving fuel. In
Indiana an order, prepared by the
public service commission. reviving
lightless nights and heatless days. of
war time is to go into effect tonight.
as a means of preserving coal sup
plies. --.
Middle West Is Hard Hit.
Fuel famine faced the middle-west
today. :
With the strike of coal miners en-
tering the third week, the reserve sup
ply of coal was growing small and the
pinch was felt in many cities.
Appeals for coal from the Dakotas.
Montana. and the northwest generally
administration. ~
Suspension of some minor Industries
was expected today at meeting of
the fuel committee with representa-
tives of manufacturers.
The railroads supply Of coal was
reported low. The Chicago. Milwau-
kee & St. Paul railroad announced the
cancellation of four trains leaving Chi
Ecago. Several other trains leaving
Milwaukee and other points. along the
route were also cancelled.
Appeal for Enforcement.
Washington, Nov. 17.--Operators in
the soft coal industry today consid-
cred calling upon the department of
justice to enforce more vigorously the
federal court mandate against the
striking miners and to force resump-
ton of work in those districts where
the men walked out November 1. The
government has not done It's full duty
in merely requiring the withdrawal of
the strike order. several operators de-
clared, pointing out that a general
stoppGge of production of coal exists
in many mines employing union la abor
Notices of the withdrawal of the
strike order were sent out on plain
paper instead of official stationery and
without the organization and fac sirnile
signatures of the officers of the United
Mine Workers of America. It was said
Meantime the joint scale committees
of the miners and operators in the
central competitive field renewed
negotiations on the demands of the
workers for a sixty per cent wage in
crease, a six-hour day and a -fiye-day
week.
Postpone Wage Conference.
Washington, Noy. 17.-The confer
ence of wage scale committee in the
central competitive bituminous coal
field was postponed today at the re-
quest of the operators. who were not
ready to submit a counter proposal to
the demands received from the miners
saturday. :
Meantime a committee of the oper-
ators was framing a reply. It was said
the question of the renewal of work
by the miners was one of the matters
to be brought up by the operators.
Cumberland, Nd, Nov. 17-There
was general resumption of mining
in the upper Potomac and George
Creek coal fields today. according to
the statements of leading. operators
here. Ninety per cent of the striking
miners returned in the upper Potomac
region and seventy per cent in the
Georges Creek mines they said. Be-
tween eight and ten thousand miners
were out in these two fields.
Charleston. w. Va, Nov 17-In
spite of predictions by leaders of the
striking miners that the men would
return to work today. reports reach
ing the Kanawha Coal Operators asso-
citation this morning showed few ad-
ditional miners added to working
forces and no active mines added to
last weeks list.
Sioux Falls. S. d. Nov 17-Ten
passenger trains on the iowa South
Dakota division of the Chicago Mil
waukee & st. Paul railroad were elfm-
mated today because of shortage of
coal.
Indianapolis, Nov. 17.-No union
miners returned to work in the In
diana bituminous coal fields today, de-