Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-07-26
ILLINOIS COAL
STRIKE PUT UP
TOGOVERNMENJT'
If Wages Are Increased Must
Apply to Four States,
Lewis Says.
COLLUSION IS CHARGED

Settlement of the Illinois bituminous
coal mine strikes rests with President
Wilson, so far as the international head
quarters of the United Mine Workers is
concerned.
This was learned today from source
high in miners union circles.
Whether this settlement is by direct
action of the president or through re
establishment of the presidents coal
wage commission. which created the
wage schedule, that is now the bone of
contention In the Illinois field, is imma-
terial. It is held.
But whatever the settlement, II wages
are increased for the striking day" men
in Illinois, 1t must apply TO all similar
workers In the four states Of the cen
traI competitive mine field.
This was made emphatic in the state
meut Of John L. Lewis, president Of the
international union issued Saturday
night, in which 1t was declared that
modification Of the basic agreement tar
rived at by the coal cOmmission) In Iii
! nois only would result in efforts by the
union ITO enforce an immediate shut
down Of all mines IN the ce.tral competi-
tive field, involving some 10000 men" ,
That the Illinois situation has been
largely fostered" by Frank Harrington,
| head Of the Illinois miners. who is de
! clared to be politically in desperate
straits" was the assertion OF another
man in close touch with union affairs.
| Harrington. according to a dispatch
from Springfield, Ill, declared he could
end the strikes in sixteen hours If given
Z !.
CHARGES FARRINGTOS
COLLUDES WITH OPERATORS.
Commenting on this statement the
source Of the information made the thin
ly yelled charge that Harrington and the
Illinois operators. who are clamoring
for a de1nite stand on the strikes by
the federal government are working in
coliusion and that speedy settlement by
Harrington would be quite a feather in
the cap" of the Illinois leader
Dlssension between Mr.. Lewis and
Harrington is Of long standing, and. It
was pointed out, a victory for the lat
ter would strengthen his position with
certain labor factions In the miners or
ganizations.
Although the award Of the presidents
coal commission is branded by Ny.
Lewis as a '1amentable blunder," the
international union has stood by its
agreement consistently, T. was declared.
1t was added that wi,n the govern
ment bringing pressure OF injunction
against the union officials. no other
course has ever been open.
Il don't know" was the comment
when query was made as to whether 1t
was considered probable that the gov
ernment might again invoke the Lever
act to quash the strikes, as 1t did IN
tho case Of the nation wide strike last
winter.
Summed up, the situation brings forth
the following points:
Illinois operators seek government ac-
ton to end the Illinois strikes
II the government acts favorably upon
a wage increase for the Illinois day work
ers withou tits application 20 the re-
mslnder Of the filed. complete shutdown
q fthe miners of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio
and western Pennsylvania is in prospect
II the government keep hands Of
and a state wide agreement IS arrived at
probable tieup Of the coal industry III the
four states looms.
II the president. individually or
through a reorganized coal wage com
mission. ends the strikes, any change In
the basic agreement muSs apply To the
whole field, else the same condition VIII
prevail
Thus summed up. Il was declared. two
alternatives are open First, successful ap-
peal by the president TO the Illinois strik-
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