The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-10-07
OKLAHOMA MINERS
THREATEN TO TAKE
VACATION At ONCE
Conference Called for To-
morrow; Operatives Will
Not "Strike," But Just
"Lay Off"

Muskogee, Okla, Oct. 7.-State Of
ficials, coal operators and mine un'
ion officers are watching the coal
fields of Oklahoma early today for
reports of suspension of work by min
ers who, it was reported, would go on
vacation" because of refusal Of their
demands for increased pay. A "va-
cation" walkout of miners Of the state
under contract with the Southwest
Interstate coal operators association"
was predicted last night by E. r. Ross
secretary OF district 81, U. NJ. w. A.
The southwest operators association
severa! days ago denied an increase or
30 per cent demanded by the miners
at conference in Kansas City. Ross
said the men were working under the
Oklahoma Mine Operators association
probably would not be affected by
the threatened walkout as their de-
mands had not been finally received.
Ross declared walkout would not
be sanctioned by union officials and
indicated that "vacationists" might be
suspended from the union. Mine
workers organizations cannot and will
not strike" he said when the work
ers go out we will do all we can to
get them back. The fines will apply
and the miners suspended from the
union"
Beginning of an Individual walkout
today among local unions appeared,
however, Secretary Ross said.
An association Of coal operators or
Oklahoma and Arkansas was scheduled
here today and it was understood the
question Of re-opening wage scales
negotiations with the miners would
be discussed.
Meeting Tomorrow
A committee representing the coal
operators who are employed by oper-
ators affiliated with the Oklahoma
Goa! operators association ia scheduled
TO meet at McAlester tomorrow with a
| special committee representing the as
sociaton for the purpose of discussing
an increase in wages of approximately
% per cent on tonnage and yardage
work. Officials Of coal companies say
| the demand for increased wages will
not be granted and that the confer
ence win be devoid of results.
At the headquarters of the United
Mine Workers for district No. a
oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas. Of.
ficers of the union said today they
We're without further advices from
Kansas City where scale negotiations
between representatives OF the miner,
and the Southwest Interstate Goa
Operators association resulted in ar
adjustment without any progress be.
ing made. The Kansas City conference
was called to discuss tonnage ant
yardage wage increases effective ir
Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Ark
ansas.
1t was also stated at the distrc
headquarters here today shat nc
word had been received on the pro
posed specia! interstate convention o.
the coal miners said to have been sug
gested by Alexander Howat, presiden
of the Kansas miners.
call for special convention o
district No. 2l, miners, was sent ou
today by Eugene Ross. secretary-treas
urer. The convention will meet ii
Muskogee beginning on October %. N
outlaw strikes or so-called vacation
of miners was reported to the dis
trict headquarters today.
McAlester, Okla. Oct. "a Join
J session of the Oklahoma coal opera
tors association and officials OF tn
mine workers union viii be held 1,
McAlester at o'clock Friday after
noon to act on the wage propose
Of the miners, according to an or
nouncement by j. Il. Wilson, commits
sloncr for the operators. The meeting
Is the result of the decision Of
committee of operators composed @
Dorsett Carter, j. q. Puterbaugh, an
j. y. Wilson, appointed at on exc
| cutive meeting last week to investi
, gate the question. The McAleste
field was without interruption there.