The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-07-29
President Wilson Plans to
! Intervene in Big Fuel
War Now On.
OPERATORS TAKE
! STAND ON WAGES
Sole Hope in Central Field in
Joint Conference.
Miners and Mine Owners Arc
Called to Chicago.
SHAFTS IDLE IN THREE STATES
Strike Spirit Spreads to Penn
sylvania and Maryland.
Are Few DefectiOns From the
Union Ranks.
SHAFTS IDLE IN THREE STATES
Strike Spirit Spreads to Penn
sylvania and Maryland.
Are Few DefectiOns From the
Union Ranks.
tBy the United Press.)

Thomas T. Brewster, chairman Of
the executive committee. today sum-
moned coal operators of the central
competitive field to confer in Chicago
Friday, to decide the stand they will
take in proposed joint conference
with union officials in an attempt to
settie unauthorized strikes paralyzing
bituminous coal production.
Union officials in executive session
In Indianapolis were reported to have
completed their case. They were ex-
pected 10 demand increased wages for
the strikers
Indications were the Joint meeting
Will be held next week in Washington
and the attitude of the federal gov
eminent toward granting pay advances
secured before a decision is an
nounced.
Indiana operators were IN confer
ence in Chicago deciding their posi-
tion in the session with other produc-
ers tomorrow Illinois operators have
voted in favor of the miners-operators
conference with a proviso against
granting the miners demands without
an agreement of federal officials.
Secretary of Labor Wilson was re-
ported preparing a detailed statement
of the situation for presentation to
President Wilson.
Strikers were still holding out with
the Indiana and Illinois fields closed.
Large numbers were out in Kansas
The unrest was reported spreading to
western Pennsylvania and Maryland.
Utilities and large manufacturers re-
ported the situation decreasing in sert-
BUSINESS with a maximum supply OF
only three or four days.
City authorities in st. Louis began
seizing coal supplies to insure supplies
for essential industries.
Frank Harrington. president OF the
Illinois district. announced his belief
the strike would end before Monday.
He refused to amplify the statement,
Miner defections from the strikers
were reported in Illinois today.
President Wilson has prepared to
intervene in the strike, it was stated
at the White House. His course will
depend upon Secretary Wilson's re-
! port, it was indicated. Re-estabIish-
/ ~ NAC AdEA administration has
not been considered, It was said.
Indiana mine operators in confer
enee in Chicago announced they
would make IAN important" an
nouncement at o'clock. Phil Penna.
secretary of the district, said the In
diana situation showed Improvement
today.
| burlington Is Confident,
| Springfield, Ill. July zs.-InforrnaI
conferences with executive board
members from each of the fourteen
mining districts in the state was fol-
lowed this morning by announcement
Of President Frank harrington that
the situation in the striking Illinois
coal fields is very promising. holding
prospect of a settlement to the satis-
faction to the miners demands within
1.-THE next two days.
Wilson VIII Take Hand.
Washington, July 2s.-President
Wilson shortly will take a hand in the
coal strike in Indiana and illinois, 70
was stated at the White House today.
It was intimated here, however. that
/ fCanffnred on Pa1a