The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-07-26
HANDS OFF
Mine TIEUP
LEWIS TOLD
Harrington Issues Def
Says Men and Operators
Can Settle Strike.

Can settle SCf1Ke.
Springfield, ILL.,, July 26.-Presi-
dent Frank Harrington of the Illi-
nois miners union issued a state
ment this morning that III Mr..
Lewis will keep his hands OF and
the government will permit it, the
operators and miners in this state
can get together and within a very
few hours work out q satisfactory
arrangement that will result in re-
sumption of mining in Illinois.
Answers Lewis Threat.
"The statement alleged to have
been made by International Presi-
dent Lewis to the effect that he
would call out miners Of other dis
tricts outside of Illinois if the Illi-
nois operators made any conces-
sions to the Illinois miners" said
Mr.. Farrington's statement, 'can
have only one effect and that will
be that every powerful interest in
the country, as well as govern
mental influences will combine and
bring pressure to bear upon Illi-
nois operators to prevent their
making any concessions.
There will be no necessity for
Mr.. Lewis to call a strike as
threatened, as the operators in the
competing districts will, no doubt.
make the same concessions made
by the Illinois operators, and the
necessity for a strike will thus be
avoided and the country assured a
steady coal production during the
winter.
No Need to Raise Coal Prices.
Every concession asked can be
granted without increasing the
present price paid by the public for
coal. The only thing needed to
straighten out the trouble is for
the federal government to permit
tthe Illinois miners and operators
to get together.
Public statements that the min
ers are asking time and a half for
overtime and double time for Sun
days have no foundation in fact.
And as for the probable effect OF
a possible appeal by President Will
son. do not care to offer any pre-
diction, except to say that the Illi-
nois miners are pretty well fed up
on appeals and have now reached
the point where they want some
thing substantial.
Denies Political Move.
"As for press reports that the
strike is the result of political am
bitions, l now repeat that l have
no designs on or am an aspirant
for the presidency Of our interna-
tional union"
Conditions in the Illinois coal
field are not materially changed. A
number Of independent coal COM
panies, Mr.. Harrington said, had
agreed to the demands of the shift
hands, including payment of the
$500 day increase.
I The conciliators of the depart
ment of labor held a conference to-
day but declared that they had for
mulated no plans.
President Harrington, whom they
are to meet at noon said there is.
nothing for the conciliators to do.
Operators Consider Appeal
Chicago, July 26.-(United Press)
with 100 per cent tieup of Illi-
nois mines today anticipated, Illi-
nois coal operators we're reported
preparing an appeal to President
Wilson for reestablishment of fed
eral bituminous coal commission
with resultant opening of the entire
wage question.
Operators declared their belief
that an increased wage for day
workers would be necessary before
the strike could be ended.
| Federal conciliators today pre-
pared to open hearings to end the
strike. They expected to question
Frank Harrington, president of the
Illinois miners, and other union
| Reply to Lewis.
harrington declared he issued his
statement today in reply to John L.
Lewis, president of the United
Mine Workers, who announced he
will call a strike of all bituminous
coal workers il increases were
made in the Illinois field.
Governor Frank O. Lowden. in an
official statement, appealed to the
men to return to work pending ac-
ton by the conciliators. He de-
ciared their method of securing
their aims wrong and said it would
defeat the principle of collective
bargaining. He blamed the car
shortage as primarily responsible.
| Refuse Plea to Return.
st. Louis, Mo-. July 26.-(United
Press.)-Twenty-five thousand min
ers in Franklin. Williamson and
Johnson counties continued to pre-
sent solid front this morning
/ against suggestions that they re-
turn to work pending the decision
Iof federal conciliators at work In
lSpringfeld. ILL.,, in an attempt TO
END the Illinois coal strike.
Reports from Murphysboro indi-
Gated that railroads into the coal
fields had practically suspended
Operations as far as the movement
OF coal was concerned.