The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-07-30
PRESIDENT MAY APPEAL
TO WORKERS TO RETURN /
PENDING settlement
Coal Operators Meet but
Wait q. s. Authority.
Before Acting.
8

washington, July 3O.-Presadenel
Wilson had under consideration the
report on the coal situation, made
to him yesterday by Secretary of
Labor Wilson, who recommended
reopening of the wage award Of the
bituminous coal case. so that It
would include wages Of mine Ia
borers.
It was said today that the presi-
dent might appeal to miners who
are on strike in Illinois and Indiana
to return to work pending amicable
settlement Of their grievances.
Their demands probably will b
discussed at q conference in New
York Monday between representa-
tives OF the four government de-
partments and a committee from the
coal industry.
Plans for averting . coal famine
next winter and for checking prof.
iteering in the coal trade also will
be considered at the conference, ac-
cording to Acting Attorney General
Ames.
Operators Meet.
Chicago, July 30.--Members OF
the bituminous coal operators scale
committee Of the central competi-
tive field met here today to act
upon the invitation of President
John L. Lewis of the United Mine
Workers Of America to confer with
the miners scale committee.
Chicago members Of the commit
tee who went to Washington recent
ny to present information on the
strike OF day laboferS IN Illinois
miners. declared that they could NOT
undertake to change the wage
agreement with the miners signed
last April. Some members Of the
committee have declared their will
ingness to adjust the increase
granted the day laborers by the
coal commissions award, to make 1t
equal the increase granted other
miners, but not until governmental
permission was received.
Indiana and Illinois operators
meeting here today, voted to reject
the plea Of President Lewis Of the
United Mine Workers of America
for a joint meeting Of the operators
and miners scale committee. to set
tie the resent strike of day men In
the Illinois and Indiana mines.
The operators appointed COM
mittee to draft a reply to Mr..
Lewis message declaring that the
striking miners are violating their
contract entered into when the
government fixed the last wage
!award and demanding that the min
ers' president order his men back
to work.
| The coal operators will not meet
with the miners unless ordered to
do so by the government.
Union Chiefs Empowered to Act
/ Indianapolis, Ind. July 30.-Ex-
ecutive officers of the United Mine
Workers Of America today were
clothed with full authority to take
whatever action they deem neces.
sary in the situation created by the
walkout Of the company miners and
the day workers in Indiana and ILL
nois coal fields.
Blanket authority to act has beer
conferred upon by President Johr
, l.. Lewis and other executive OH
|. GERS of the union by the information
: al executive board, It was announc
} ed today.
: Reports from the Indiana Goa
: fields today indicated no change !,
! the situation. Union officials q
Terre Haute claimed that virtual.
r every mine in the state was closed
President Ed Stewart OF Distric
No. II. United Mine Workers, issue
a statement this morning, saying
Practically the entire coal fell
= Is closed. Less than 10 per cent Q
: the bituminOus mines in the stat
are operating. We are hopefCj Q
an early solution of the problem Q
i, getting the men back to work. bu
at present the way is not Clear