Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-07-31
HEEDS PLEA
Of PRESIDENT FOR
COAL STRIKE TRUCE
Mine Chief Orders Men Back
to Work Pending Wage
Adjustments.
Rr the Associated Pres.

INDIANAPOLIS. Ind. July 81
Striking mine workers in Indiana and
Illinois today were ordered back to
work by President John L. Lewis of
the United Mine Workers of America.
III telegram directed to every local
3 union in the affected districts he in
StruCted that immediate meetings bS
called and steps taken TO get the men
back to their Jobs.
This step was taken in compliance
with telegram sent him last night by
President Wilson. After receiving the
telegram Mr.. Lewis held a conference
with several associates at national
miners headquarters here. at the
conclusion of which he issued state
ment to the effect that he would I'm =
mediately order the men in the at
fected districts back TO work:
Full authority TO deal with 'He
strike situation has been vested in
President Lewis by the executive
board of the miners, which has peeh
in session here for the past Week.
No word had been received from ON
Gals of the miners locals, ana no
one at headquarters would venture an
opinion as to how the order would De
received Should the strikers refuse
10 obey it is expected that dlsci-
1.Iinarv action will be brought against
offending members OF me unions.
Mr. Lewis. in announcing ne Wouiu
carry out the Presidents wishes, sald
he had been much impressed by the
telegram from Mr. Wilson. the laiI
ness of which must be apparent 10
every one who has regard LOT cohS1-
luted authority and the pubic VIII.
The suggestions of the President ne
said. will be approved by every rlsht-
thinking and loyal member OF the
United Mine Workers OF Amer ica'
and will be considered singing re-
buke to men of the type of Frank
! Harrington. who have maliclousiy IN
cited men to disregard their contract
obligations
No Request From illinois.
The Illinois coal operators have not
requested his office to enforce the
statement said. Il intend. however. In
compliance with the wishes of the
President. 10 issue a mandatory under
instructing and directing all miners
now on strike in Illinois and Indiana
to imm ediately return to work so as
to permit the normal operation of'the
mines" the statement added Com
pliance with this order by the mine
workers will pave the way Tor the
calling of wage conference as suS-
gested by the President for the con-
sideration of inequalities in the agree
ment-
Mr. Lewis expects to answer PreSi
dent Wilson's telegram some time to-
day. Although he was unwilling to
make any definite statement it is
likely that his order to the miners
will be sent at the same time. Mr.
4 Lewis confined his comment on the
Presidents message and the strike
situation to his formal statement, and
asked to be excused from further
questions.
Harrington Is Quiet.
SPRINGFIELD, I'LL, July 31.-Pres-
ident Frank Harrington of the Illi-
nois Miners Union had little to say
last night when told that President
Wilson had offered to invite a meet
ing of the joint scale committee of
miners and operators to adjust wage
inequalities. if the miners would re-
turn to work. 81 don't think much of
it, was his comment.
In his statement of several days
ago President harrington declared the
miners were about fed up on ap-
peals'' from the President "Presi-
dent Lewis attack on me is not go
ing to count anything toward get
ting the Illinois miners back to
work. was his statement last night,
when shown a statement issued by Mr..
Lewis at Indianapolis.
The statement that he had not
been requested by the operators to
enforce the validity of the wage
, agreement is not true harrington
said. Il have in my possession copy
of a telegram requesting him to do
that very thing.
LAS for his statement that the
presidents statement is a singing
rebuke to me and to others who in
cite men to violate their contracts. |
obedience to their contractual obli-
haf II T no 10