The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-07-29

Chicago, July es.---WhIIe many Of
the operators Of the central com.
petitlve fields met here 70 discuss
the situation with the strikinp
association addressed another ap.
peal to the White House 10 act In
the crisis.
Coat mining In Illinois ls re.
ported by the operators to be at
almost a standstlll today. The In.
seriously crippled and munlcipali.
ties are threatened with serious
shortages for their institutions. A
similar situation exists IN Indiana,
where Il ls estimated fully 80 per
cent. Of the mines are down.
Today's appeal to the White House
was signed by Il. C. Searles. president
Of the Illinois Coal Operators, II said !:
Lewis Wants Conference.
Referring to our letter OF July 10
we would now advise you of receipt OF
n telegram from Thomas t. Brewster,
OF st. Louis, chairman OF the operators
wage scale committee stating that John
l.. Lewis president of the United Mine
Workers. has requested joint confer
ence between the wage scale commit
tees of the operators and miners.
such meeting II held, would
doubtless take up for consideration the
changes demanded by the Illinois min
ers in the terms and conditions OF ex-
isting contracts entered into between
the operators and miners and emhody-
Ing the terms of the award OF the wage
scale commission appointed by Presi-
dent Wilson.
"Before taking any steps In this con-
neetion we desire to be advised as to
what the wishes OF the president are,
We respectfully request you to inform
us concerning the same and we would
particularly request an answer to our
letter OF July 49,,
we would again affirm our desire TO
bo guided In this connection by the
wishes OF the president and TO take no
steps that. could possibly be considered
by him unwise or Improper In the pres
ent emergency which threatens a gem
eral tieup Of the entire coal industry |
In the central competitive field"
The mine operators reaffirmed their |
miners representatives unless the gov
srnment also had representatives sit
ing In the conference.
1t was considered certain today that
( the president replied to the operators
~ naming representatives to take part
'r by withdrawing government control
md allowing the operators and miners
o settle things themselves. they Will
ret together on basis OF settlement
hat WIFI start the mines again,
The executive committee OF Indiana
pal operators convened here today TO
onsider the miners strike In Indiana.
'hllip Penna, OF Terre Haute. chairman
I the committee, declared inaccurate
eports that the operators would meet
he miners t1a
Little Coal There. 1,
Coal in Dealers yards In Chicago is
sixth TO a seventh OF the normal sup
ly, an official OF the largest LEGAL COM
any said today.
He declared II nothing. is done 10 Inn
rove the constantly diminishing re-
eipts, Chicago would be going on a
acation" next week. 1.-THE normal sup !
y in Chicago at this time OF the year
around 100000 tons to 100000 TONS"
. said "These figures relate to coal .
dealers yards. All the coal on hand y
the yards of Chicago today is not y
indiana shut Down. /
Indianapolis, Ind. July 2s.--Reports
ceIved from Indiana mining fields to-
Ines in the state are still idle as "
suit of the strike OF day men which
Is spread into this state from I'LL ~
lis. Some authorities said rs per cent. =
the state mines were closed. n
Harry w. Little, secretary OF the ~
uthern Indiana Coal bureau, reported | y
per cent. Of the miners in the south !.
n Indiana coal fields in the vicinity "
Evansville are idle as n result OF the .,
ike. o'
!. c. c. Plans Move.
July 29.-The interstate q
mmerce commission may issue "
ingent priority orders giving coal the
ut of way over everything but food tn
ID the other actual necessities, II WIS 50
rned today. SO serious is the situ- CO
on in respect to the lack OF coal
's that the commission is said to be ie
the assessment OF heavy co
es against non-coal carrying roads pn
ich fail to return cars to coal car an
RI Within thirty days after their re-
pt. wi
n the coal producing regions some ~
'riers are reported TO have available
Y about 20 per cent. Of the coal cas- a.
y actually own. In some regions this m "a.
'centage IL even less ~
,hicago coal dealers this afternoon lh'
pRraphed a protest to the Interstate ou
nncrce commission that railroads are co
" refusing to deliver coal In transit III
20 accept shipments OF coal from no
nois and Indiana points. except 10 gr'
lilo utilities, hospitals and railroads stt
msclves.
immediate relief from such measures bri
5 demanded by local coal men.
Secretary OF Labor Report. nj
July 2y.--i'residcnt VIII w
this afternoon received from Sec
Try OF Labor Wilson n comprehen- lee
and extensive report on the coal nti
alton The report was prepared at ma
request Of the president. to
he report takes up nli angles OF the wi
alton. Secretary Wilson refuses to be
ie IL public. inf