The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-07-29
COAL STRIKE

lContinued from PdGe One.l
Wilson's action will depend on a re-
port which is to be submitted, to him
by Secretary of Labor Wilson, who
was called back to Washington con-
nection with. the strike. This report
is being prepared at the presidents
request.
Operators in Solid Front.
ST. Louis, July 29.-Thomas T.,
Brewster, chairman of the operators
committee of the central competitive
field today issued a call for a meeting
of representatives of the four districts
comprising that field in Chicago Fri
day.
The operators will consider the re-
quest of John L. Lewis, made several
days ago, for a joint conference be
tween operators and miners repre-
sentatives for the purpose of setting
the Illinois coal strike. "a
BreWster&said this morning there
was little doGbtibut that districts rep
resentatives would accept the invita-
ton to the meeting tomorrow.
Every angle of the situation will be
discussed according TO Brewster, who
irltimated that the future course of the
operators would be outlined.
Brewster declared that the opera
ores would present a solid front in
eEal smaller companies were srepor1ed
to have come to an understanding with
day men employed by them.
Unions Are Silent.
Indianapolis, July 20. = Reports
from Indiana mining field today indi-
cate that least half the mines in
the state are still idle as a result of
the strike of day mem which has
spread into this state from Illinois.
Some authorities said that rs per cent
of the states mines were closed.
There was little change in the Terre
Haute district today. A few more
mines were idle operators reported.
Harry W. Little, secretary of the
southern Indiana coal bureau, re-
ported that so per cent of the miners
in the southern Indiana coal fields
are Idle.
Officials of the U. NJ. w. A still
had, no word frosa Thomas T. Brews-
ter. OF ST. Louis. chairman of the
operators scale committee concerning
the proposal of President John L.
Lewis of the miners for joint meet
ing of miners and operators Fepresen-
tatives to Consider the strike situa-
ton. Mr.. Brewster has acknowI-
edged Mr.. Lewis,s telegram suggest
ing the conference but has made no
further reply.
Conference Is Last Hope.
Chicago, July 29.-The sole hope of
adjustment of coal production diff
culties in the bituminous field today
was pinned on an expected conference
Of mine operators and union officials
Illinois operators have indicated
they will fight any attempt to secure
increased wages for miners. They
notified Brewster they favored the ses-
sion with union officials but opposed
granting wage advances without the
sanction of the government. Miners
demand increases of 50 a day. declar-
ing they will not return to work with
out full accession.
Mine officials today were complet-
ing the draft of the proposal they will
make to the operators. This was IN
derstoed to provide a compromise
wage increase They refused to say
whether they had arranged for federal
sanction of the proposed advance.
The first return TO work of strikers
in large numbers was expected in the
Indiana field today. Miners there de-
clared an ''armistice" pending attempts
to settle dispute with the understand
ing the strike will be resumed in two
weeks unless their demands. are
granted.
Industry today began receiving body
blows from the strike. Coal scarcities
were forcing plants to close down in
the middle west.