Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1920-07-26

included the mines OF La
Sale, Jonesville and Pc
ru. In all five mines this
morning were closed and all the men
were away from their work.
The strike struck here like a thun-
derbolt from a clear sky. Within an
hours time all five Of the mines-two
of them in Peru. two in La Sale. and
one across the river at Jonesville, be-
came active as the men poured out of
elevator cages and went home. The
word was passed ''the strike has
come and in another half hours
time preparations were completed
for closing up the pits until the walk
out is called off
l. Is estimated that today's uneX-
pected action has put more than 1000
miners out Of work. They will remain
away until final disposition is made
of the day laborers claims.
Mines Of Cherry, Ladd and Cedar
Point have so far escaped the strike.
Industries OF La Sale and Peru are
facing a close down as a result Of
heir having been caught coalle5s
The Peru Plow Company Is making
arrangements for laying off the men
tonight. while one of the cement com
panies has only few days supply OF
fuel on hand
Harrington Issues Statement.
Springfield, H., July 26.-President
Harrington OF the Illinois miners is
sued a statement today, If Mr. Lewis
will keep his hands Off and the gov
ernment will permit it the operators
and miners in this state can get to.
gethCr and within a few hours work
cut a satisfactory arrangement that
viii result in resumption Of mining
in Illinois"
The statement alleged to have been
made by Mr.. Lewis to the effect that
he would call ont miners of other dis
tricts outside Of Illinois if the Illinois
operators made any concessions to the
Illinois miners said the statement,
can only have one effect. and that
will be every powerful interest in the
country, as well as governmental in
fuences, will bring pressure to bear
upon Illinois operators to prevent
their making any concessions.
There will be no necessity of Mr..
Lewis calling strike as threatened
as the operators in the competing dis
triCtS Will, no doubt, make the same
concessions made by Illinois opera.
tors and the necessity for Il strike will
thus be avoided.
Every concession asked can be
granted without increasing the pres
ent price paid by the public for coal
IN ~ ctr iyb 70
out the trouble is for the federal gov
crnment to permit the oerators and
miners to get together.
Statements that the miners are
asking more pay has no foundation in
fact, and are for the probable effect
OF a possible appeal to President Will
son, do not care to offer any predic
tionN except to say that the Illinois
miners are we'll fed on appeal and
have now reached the point where
they want something substatial,'
Conditions in the Illinois fields are
not materially changed \ number oe
independent coal companies. he said.
had agreed to the settlement of de
mauds with the shitthands. including
s. a day increase in wages.
Indiana Mines Close Down.
Terre Hauto, Ind, July 26-Indana
coal fields today are partially para
ly2od by an unauthorized strike of
day laborers and drivers, following
similar action in the Illinois fields
Urges Conference.
Tcrre Iaute, July 26--President
Ward Stewart of District H. United
Mine Workers of America, this morn
ing wired President Wilson urging
a conference of miners and operators
of the state in the competitive field
for the purpose Of presenting the mat
ter to the propert authorities for set
Element, The day laborers claim they
were Disseminated against in the re-
cent wage award.