The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-07-27
STRIKE MENACES
FUEL SUPPLY.
Walkout of Miners in Illinois
Spreads to Indiana, Kan
saS, Michigan and Ohio.
UNION LEADERS INACTIVE
Though Closely Watching De.
velopments -- Farrington's
Hint q Slap on Wrist"


day mineworkers, which began In mi.
nois, continued its spread to the coal
fields OF Indiana, Kansas, Michigan and
OHIO, threatening the countiy's winter
supply OF fuel the great steel indus
tries In the Calumet district. about
northern Indiana, faced the prospect OF
shutting down their plants. which would
throw between 10000 and 20, 900 men out
OF employment.
The attention OF the Illinois coal op.
orators was directed toward Washing
ton. where the interstate commerce
commission used its efforts to untangle
the car shortage. and toward New York,
where Attorney General Palmer held
conferences with coal operators and
business men, The Illinois operators are
firm In their belief that present plans
to give priority of car supply to mines
viii so far toward relieving the present
crisis, II backed up by the Interstate
commerce commission. These operators
point out that II the miners win abide
by their contracts, they win have no
difficulty In supplying the coal needed
for the country's requirements
In the Calumet steel region about
Chicago the fuel situation was described
today as the most serious In years. The
south Chicago plant of the Illinois Steel
company faces an immediate shut down
unless II can get coal. This plant alone
employs III 600 men. Curtallments to-
day forced some OF these men to idle
ness, and II was said in reports from
the company's offices that approxl-
mately 5000 men might BIO laid off to-
day.
Other plants in the district facing
shut down unless they can get coal lm-
mediately are the Wisconsin Steel COM
pany, the by Products Coke company.
of South Chicago, and various plants In
Gary. East Chicago and Indian Harbor,
Indiana.
The Illinois public utilities commits
sion took Il hand IN The Illinois situation
today. Chairman James H. Wilkerson,
OF the commission, intimated that IL the
Interstate commerce commission falls to
act today, drastic steps will be taken
by the Illinois commission.
Halt Mines Closed.
indianapolis, Ind, July 27.--Whlle
attention OF the United Mine Workers
was focused today upon the confer
ence In New York OF Atty. Gen, Palmer
and coal operators and business men.
John l., Lewis, president, and other
with the mine strike crisis In Illinois
and Indiana.
with virtually half the mines in
Indiana shut down by walkouts OF
day men and shut-downs threatening
the remainder before night. practically
In Indiana IL In prospect In Illinois
the situation In reported even worse,
THAT Pre- ident Lewis Of the inter-
national union regards the unveiled
hint from Frank Furrington OF the ILL.,
nois union to keep hands on" the
Illinois strikes as slap on tho wrist,
and that no In "too busy with weightier
TO deign 10 reply, was an open
secret today II is known that the
union executive is In close touch with
be miners. operators wage controversy,
aud that he II giving consideration"
to proposal from lgd Stewart, preai-
lent of district No III, United Mine /
Of America. that arrangements
DO made for conference OF miners and
operators to present the problem before
he proper authoritles'' for solution.
rhe Illinois Indiana strikes were termed
and unauthorized by the
inon head
No WORD had been received at inter.
NATIONAL headquarters today ns 70 mo
,rogreas of federal mediation In the
Illinois strikes,
Federal authorities here are not IN
nicinl touch with the strike crisis, II
vas indicated at the federal building.
Union leaders are not anticipating"
strikes In Ohio and weH-
ern' Pennsylvania, and no reports OF
trikeS or prospective wakoutH there
ave reached international hcndqunr-
ers, the international News Service
earned,
Washington. July 27.-~Tho govern
'nges upon the outcome Of the CON
renee held IN Nav York today between
ttty. Gen, Palmer and coal operators I
nd business men.
The attorney-Ronera In expected 10 1
lnke a report hn the situation and the =
afult OF todsys conference before the /
esident takes any further action, q
The interstate commerce commission | (
continuing It's efforts TO untHngle the h
ar shortage and further priority orders y
10 expected to be forthcoming from X
me TO time. y
REPORTS from Illinois TINT department i
I labor eopcillatorR had failed to settle
,s labor difficulties there were re- r
alyed with some disappointment here
Ia officials ~ the department Of labor -
ere hopeful that the efforts or the
~ eiliaforg might still bo OF avail,
here were some Indications here today
mi tho government might follow the
of tho mlno workers that ,
,ey be allowed TO confer with the oper- y
ora and negotiate settlement OF the
.manas Of the shift" laborcrH irre- !
,octlve Of the award OF the bituminoua I
M commission. I
An optimistic report was issued from n
10 bo,dduarters ~ the National Coal 4
by declaring mo alarm /
ed he felt by the public as TO n coai I
mine" II plans evolved by the opera" {
RI and the railroads are carried our;
bcre plans comprehend an increase on a
por cent In open ton car supply,
.Iority IN soft GOALS 20 the Dreat
nke ports IN the northwest ana 70 Z
dc watcr Tor Now England. ana intri-
a 4. . ts,sfE