The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-07-28
FIRST BREAK IN
OUTLAW STRIKES
Indiana Miners To Be Ordered
Back to Work Tomorrow.
Union Officials Will Await
Wage Demand Adjustment.
HHfEaT nFTEfNn m .aFaRaE rEna-
MUST RETURN TO WORK FIRST
Federal Government Will Not
Intercede Until Then.
Settlement Looms With Plan
for Miner-OperatOr Meeting.

Terre Haute, Ind. July 28-Coal
miners on unauthorized strike in the
Indiana fields will be ordered to re-
turn to work tomorrow pending an ef-
fort to adjust the wage demands of
day laborers, it was decided at a meet
ing of union officials here today
BellevilIe, Ill, July 28.-James Ma
son, secretary of the Belleville sub
district of the U. NJ. w. A, today an
nounced that the Missouri and Illi-
nois Coal company, operating mines at
Wilderman and Rentchler. near here,
and the Highland Coal company,
which also has mine near. BeIlevilIe,
had agreed to give the dat men the
demanded wage increase OF 25 cents
an hour and that these ines would
begin operations Immediately. About
$50 men are employed t the three
mines. it was said.
Operators Meeting Not Called.
St Louis, July 2S.-Thomas T.
Brewster. chairman of the coal oper-
ators' scale committee in the central
competitive field. had not called a
meeting of operators to confer with
miners on the strike situation up to
noon today. He said he had not heard
from the operators on the request of
John L. Lewis, president of the Z. NJ.
W. A, that a joint meeting be held
and that he would take no action on
Mr.. Lewis's request until he had ascer-
tanned the wishes of the majority of
the operators on the matter.
Must Return to Work First.
Springfield, Ill, July 28.-The fed
eral government will not intercede to
settle the strike in the central COM
petitive field until the men have re-
turned to work
Federal mediators who came here in
an attempt to settle the trouble today
Z n p TT-a
on Frank Harrington, president of the
Illinois miners union.
Harrington refused to say whether
or not he had been served with such
a notice but in public statement he
declared every effort is being made to
get the men back to work.
Action of International President
John L. Lewis, in asking for 4 confer
ence between the union officials and
the operators of the central competi-
tive field apparently has taken the
wind from the sails of the insurgents"
who were to meet this afternoon and
determine a 5-hour working day, five
days a week and so per cent increase
in wages. over the scale in effect,
prior to the strike last winter.
If the operators agTee to the confer
ence with the miners for the settle
ment of existing difficulties the in
sursents" in Illinois will be out in the
cold.
Wilson Recalled to Washington.
Washington, July 2S.-Secretary of
Labor Wilson has been recalled to
Washington by President Wilson to
take charge of the labor departments s
work in the Illinois coal strike, it was
learned today
Secretary Wilson is expected
shortly to make a report on the situa-
tion to the president. Whether the
president will take any action in the
matter depends on the nature of the
reports, it was stated at the White
House.
Adjustment Loomed Early Today.
Chicago, July Adjustment of
unauthorized mine strikes in the cen
trail competitive field loomed early to-
day.
Coal operators were expected to re-
ply favorably to the telegram of John
L. Lewis. international president of the
United Mine Workers. requesting
joint conference to stamp out the
strikes in Illinois, Kansas and Indiana.
threatening to spread to other fields
and which have menaced the nation s
fuel supply.
Both Sides Agreeable.
Lewis declared the conference
should apply practical measures de-
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