The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-07-27


may be given to meet the emergency
and avert the suffering that might fol-
low"
INDIANAPOLIS, July 27-Indiana
operators would meet with miners
representatives in a four-state confer
ence if operators of the other states
in the central competitive field would
enter, Governor McCray, of Indiana,
said in a message today to John Hess
Ter, president of District No. II. Unit
ed Mine Workers of America
The governor sent the message to
Mr.. Hessler at Philadelphia, where he
is in conference with President John
L. Lewis. Governor McCray held sew
eral informal conferences with Indiana
operators this morning, but he did not
disclose his plans, which he was un-
derstood to be making for operation of
mines in this state. His message to
Mr. Hessler was one result of to
days conferences.
Governor McCray indicated in his
message to Mr. Hessler that represen
tatives of all Indiana operators would
attend the proposed four state con
ference The governors message fol
lows: 81 think the Indiana operators
representing Indiana's total tonnage
will meet in interstate conference pro
viding majority of tonnage of each OF
the four states movement is repre-
sented in meeting. The situation is
becoming more acute daily and il
the fullest discharge of my duties,
am going ahead with my plans o
furnishing coal to Indiana institutions
in order TO avoid delay in case the
proposed conference does not find I
basis of settlement of present diff
ficulties.
Speculate on Plans
The nature of Governor McCray'
plans for taking over and operating
coal mines of Indiana in order to il
sure a sufficient supply of fuel TO
state institutions was subject o
speculative interest today among pei
sons interested in the situation in tn
state, following the announcement b
the executive that arrangements 70
such action were being made.
No announcement regarding tn
plans under consideration for takin
over the mines has been made by tn
governor, but it is believed that
will be necessary to call out stat
troops to protect property. if an a
tempt is made to mine coal by emplo!
r.ent of non-union workers, The ca
ling out of troops. it has been sut
gested. will necessitate the proclaim;
tion of martial law.
May Change Laws
Another step preliminary to openin
Of the mines, persons familiar wit
the situation say, probably will be ii
calling of a special session of the le
islaturc to repeal the miners qual
fication law in order that unskille
labor may be used in the mines. Othc
measures to facilitate the productio
of coal probably would be acted on /
the state law-making body, it W.
pointed out.
The announcement by Governor NJ
Cray that the state was arranging
take over the mines was embodied
! a telegram sent last night by Il
executive in reply 10 John Hessle
president of District No. II, Unite
Mine Workers of America. Mr.. Hes
Ter had wired the governor fro
: Philadelphia that union officials we
contemplating call for an intersta
conference of miners and operators
negotiate an agreement looking
ward the settling OF the strike az
urged him to use his influence Wi
Indiana operators to attend the co
ference. The governor promised b
unqualified support to the movemer
but added that in the meantime b
preparations for coal production W
proceed as rapidly as possible.