Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 58, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 October 1917 — BIG MINE STRIKE WILL END SOON [ARTICLE]

BIG MINE STRIKE WILL END SOON

Frank Farrington, Union Head, Says Most of Men Will Be Back Monday. 35,000 TO STAY AT WORK Strike In Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas Deferred Pending Negotiations Between Operators and the Men. Washington, Oct. 19. —Both Fuel Administrator Garfield and President John P. White of the United Mine Workers expressed confidence that the strike of coal miners In the central competitive field of Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Pennsylvania would be settled within a short time. President White left last night for his headquarters in Indianapolis, tyhere he will continue his efforts to Induce the men to return to work. Despite reports indicating a spread of strike sentiment among the men, Mr. White was optimistic when he left Washington. At the fuel administration it was said that he viewed the strike movement as sporadic and believed that the trouble would be adjusted within a few days by an appeal to the patriotism of the men not to permit the nation’s coal supply to be diminished. U. S. Has Drastic Plan. Should Mr. White’s efforts fail It is understood that the fuel administration Is prepared to lay before President Wilson a drastic plan for making certain an adequate doal supply.

To be prepared for any emergency, possibly the seizing of coal mines, officials of the government held an important' conference at the department of Justice. Sees End of Strike Near. Joliet, 111.. Oct. 19. —Frank Farrrington, president of District No. 12, Union Mine Workers of Illinois, issued the following official statement: “Reports indicate that the men are beginning to understand the futility of their stopping work to force Doctor Garfield more promptly on the proposed wage Increase and they are gradually returning to work, with every prospect that by Monday all men will be back to work.” Strike of 25,000 Called Off. Kansas City. Mo., Oct. 19.—The 6trike of 25,000 coal miners in the southwestern district, embracing Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas, which was to have begun Friday morning, has been deferred pending negotations between representatives of the Southwestern Coal Operators’ ftssocation and the men. Miners Blame Operators. Chicago, Oct. 19. —Illinois coal miners who are on strike planned to call a state convention of strikers, to take concerted action in their dispute with the coal operators, whom they accuse of bad faith. In refusing to pay higher wages until the price of coal has been raised, the operators are accused of breaking their agreement. Strikers in Springfield met during the afternoon, according to dispatches, and drew up a call for a state convention at which the strikers may state their grievances.