South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-07-25
COAL MINERS
THREATEN TO
CALL STRIKE
Action Of Workers Hinges on
Settlement of WalkOut
Illinois Fields.
BLAME L. S. COMMISSION
Official of United Mine En-
ployes Issues Statement on
Present Situation.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. July 81
Possibility OF a general strike by
bituminous coal miners through tho
central competitive field was re-
veaIed in a statement given out
here Saturday night 10y John l..
Lewis. president Of the United Mine
Workers OF America. regarding the
strike now in progress Ia the llli-
u0is field.
Any settlement Of the Illinois
strike which would modify the basic
Interstate agreement under which
the miners OF the central field are
now working would result in action
by the national officers TO enforce
an immediate shutdown Of all the
bituminous mines Involving a strike
Of 21O,0OO men. Mr.. Lewis said.
Lewis Statement.
Mr.. Lewis declined 20 amplify his
statement, declaring that he consid-
cred 1t self-explanatory. His state
ment follows:
The present situation in the Illi-
nOis coal fields is directly chargeable
70 the lamentable blunder Of the
United States bituminCus coal COM
mission, which in its majority
compensation for certain classified
tions of mine workers This award
was affirmed By Pres't Wilson over
the protest OF the national officers
OF the United Mine Workers and in
violation OF the pledges Of the
United States government that jus
tice would be rendered the miners.
Since the rendition Of the award the
mine workers in most OF the coal
producing fields have been employ
cd but a small percentage of full
time. due 20 the miserable break
down % the nations transportation
facilities.
I'm the meantime the coal oper-
ators are charging unprecedented
prices for coal and are enthusiastic
caiy engaging in what one may
term the sun dance of the profiteers,
In certain sections coal is selling at
the outrageous and indefensible
price Of from S11 20 S12 per ton
I a.. b. the mines. The American
public is being sand-bagged by these
daring commercial vandals, who
Stagger beneath their loot. When
the basic wage agreement between
the miners and operators was con-
summated i'm New York on March
Al the representatives Of the mine
secure the acquieScenCe of the oper-
ators I'm an arrangement which
would give justice 20 the day work
ers and monthly men
Efforts RCpulsCd.
Their efforts were repulscd by
the coal operators. since which time
the United Mine Workers have in
every way assumed the obligations
OF the wage agreement To which the
Illinois coal operators are "A party.
The publicly expressed desire or the
Illinois operators 20 now amend the
wage agrcemel has not been Off
ciaIly transmitted 20 the officers of
the national union which has super
vision over such matters. II set
Element Is made I'm Illinois which
modifies the basic interstate agree
mcut. prompt action viii be taken
bv this Office 10 force an immediate
shutdown of all mines operating in
the central competitive field, invo!v-
ing some 21O 600 men. until similar
notifications. together with other
improvements arc arranged for IN
the other coal producing states"
Reports received from Spring
field. III, Saturday said federal me-
diators had arrived there TO attempt
10 arrange settlement of the
strike. which operators admit has
closed all but . OF the 700 mines
IN the state.
Fails TO Discuss Strike.
Mr. Lewis would not discuss the
calling Of a general strike which
was indicated in the last paragraph
OF his statement rs q possibility II
the miners OF Illinois negotiate a
separate agreement with the oper-
ators OF that state.
He said he was awaiting word re-
gardinE the attempts made 20 settle
the Illinois strike Immediately fol-
lowing the announcement OF the
agreement between the operators
and miners officials last March
which agreement was made on the
basis OF the coal strike settlement,
commission. there were sporadic
strikes OF company men or day
men. throughout the central COM
petltive fields. These men perform
the labor incidental 20 mining II
coal. They declared that they were
not given increases commensurate
with those granted the other work
ers IN the mines.
Recognized by Wilson.
The Illinois strike was recognized
by PRIEST Wilson Saturday as having
assumed serious proportions and Il
was said mat ne was considering
sending a telegram 20 officials Of the
United Mine Workers regarding q
settlement. Officials said saturday
night they had so far received nc
message from the president
The president also had under
consideration the letter from Gov
James r. Goodrich OF indiana re-
questiag restoration Of the federal
fuel administrator.