Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-07-28
UNION TO LET
ILLINOIS MEN
TAKE UP JOBS
No Big Strike Due Because
They Get Raise and Go
to Work.
INCREASE IS 81 A DAY

Definite assurance was given today
at the headquarters of the United
Mine Workers of America that the
reported settlement of differences
between miners and operators in
twelve Illinois coal mines will not
result in a nationwide strike, or
even in a strike involving the entire
central competitive district.
This assurance was given despite the
first statement given out by John J..
Lewis, president of the mine workers,
after the OUTLAW strike had assumed
serious proportions. in which he said
that any settlement IN Illinois chang
ing the modified and basic interstate
agreement" would result In "an immt-
-iiate shutdown of all mines operating
in the central competitive field, invoiy-
ing some 10000 men
When a news dispatch from Danyillc.
H., was read to the miners executive
he expressed the view that the mines
In which settlement was made probably
are Independent mines, not members OF
the Operators association.
While Mr. Lewis declined to be
quoted, II is known he holds the Op.n-
icn that such settlement may be subject
to later adjudication, along with tbe
hoped for interstate agreement.
GET INCREASE
OF 81 A DAY.
An Increase of 90 2 day for top"
men was reported TO be the basis OF
settlement that took miners back TO
work at Danville.
President Lewis and the inter
national executive board of the mine
workers, now in session, were awaiting
p reply to a telegram sent by Pres
ident~Lewis to Thomas T. Brewster Of
st. Louis, chairman of the executive COM
mittee of coal operators of the central
competitive field, asking for an imme-
diate conference on the coal strike situa-
tion.
The messag ge requested the head of the
operators committee to join with officials
of the mine workers in n conference to-
ward an immediate settlement of the Ia
Dor differences that threaten to close all
the mines in Ohio. Indiana, Illinois and
western Pennsylvania. composing the
central competitive field.
President Lewis told the operators
committee head that the seriousness OF
the coal situation demands immediate
action.
Early today Mr.. Lewis said he had
nothing TO add to the statement and
would not have until he had word from
Chairman Brewster.
SENDS WORD
TO BREWSTER.
The message sent to Mr.. Brewster said {:
"The present disturbed situation in the
coal industry is a matter OF grave I'm
portance and Of tremendous public con-
cern.
"The commercial and social equilibrium
3 6f- our country viii be increasingly dis
turbed unless prompt remedial adjust
ments are made Of those elements charged
with such responsibility
is nv profound conviction that any
remedies which must be applied should
be done so by orderly processes and
through the instrumentality OF the exist
ing machinery within the coal indus
try.
sI am accordingly herewith making an
official request that you join me in a
call for the immediate assembly Of a joint
conference OF operators and miners NJ
the central competitive field for the pur-
pose Of giving consideration to the con-
fusion now existing In the coal industry
snd the national emergency measures DE-
signed 10 restore normal conditions.
please advise me at the earliest pos
sible hour Of your action"
Approval OF the telegram was made by
the international executive committee:
Late yesterday, President Lewis, in n
formal statement commented on the
action OF Frank Harrington. head OF the
Illinois miners. in which he took occasion
To severely criticise the latter for trying
to make a local settlement" OF the
trouble.
He called the Illinois mine heads ac-
\
conformed to the constitutional require
ments Of the United Mine Workers.
His statement says:
Action was taken By this Office today
CONTINUED on Page Two)