New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-02
A BLOW AT THE STRIKERS.
MINES START UP IN SPITE OF THEM
THE FIRsr SERIOUS DEFEAT FOR THE MEN
INDUSTRIAL CoLLIERIEs TO RUN AT
THE EIGHT PER CENT ADVANCE
LOSSES on BOTH SIDES.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.

READING, Feb. 1.-The first test OF the strength OF
the striking miners of the schuylk regions and tho
individual operators has resulted In partial defeat
Of tho strikers The eyes OF the entire region wcrc
turned to the william Penn CoEery to day. This Is
operated by private individuals. They had issued
notice that any miners who desired work would be
accommodated to-day. The men to receive the
per cent advance. but they would be simply en-
poyed as miners regardless of their organization.
Early this morning the mountain paths leading to the
william Penn lined with men, dinner kettles In
their hands, determined to go to work Some wero
non-unon miners, while the remainder Knights
of Labor who mad derded to "blachcg It," regardless
OF the jeers and threats OF their companions. Tho
strikers also ont in full forco In the vicinity Of
the colllcry. They used every endeavor and persus
slon TO stop the men from going to work They had
plenty Of money which had been sent into the regions
to aid the strikers. With this they paid of the
men who returned TO their homes. Others refused
tho bribes Of the strikers and went to work When
tie colliery started it had nearly 400 at work
When In null operation the cOliery employed 700
hands, and the proprieors expect fully that number
Will he at work tomorrow. To day nearly 175 cars
of coal taken out of the mine
similar state Of affairs took place al Kehcy Run
COllery the operators OF which agreed to pay the ad
vance. The four roads leading to the colliery wore
manned by members of the Strike Committee, and as
fast the miners approached they appealed to
not to go to work Where the needed money
cash forthcoming and they departed Threats
and some violent language were used Kelley Run
today had about 40 employed; its usual forco
Is 275
when these facts became known the strike leaders
mustered their forces and put a bold front. They
Immediately Issued orders that the men could go to
work at any coery whore the Individual operators
paid the advance. Nothing said in the order
about shipping the Reading Railroad. and II IS
understood the operators who pas the advance can do
so Lawrence Browns and tho Eig Mine Run,
largo Individual cOeres. have agreed 10 pay tho ad
developments are Looked on ~ square backdOwn by
the men Chairman John L. Lee hurried home from
Washington vh1e John H. Davis aud Hugh McGarVey,
strike leaders, went on western trip, prObebly oS
regions. a larger number than amy day since tho
strife began. Tho strikers hope that the Read ng
Company will refuse the individual Operators
cars and closr their coeries again. This IS not
Company remain practically closed. Seven or eight
have few az work making repairs and clearing
up. hut they Shipping little coal.
There IS doubi that the Reading officials have
meet their contract, with furnaces Atkins & Co., OF
PotSvile who compelled TO bank up their three
furnaces and Others are likely to bring suit against
the company.
month The losses Of company and men have been
frightfu II IS difficult 10 say what tho average
wages OF the miners Some make 500 and $50
month; hepeis low as So to $40, and rho break
kill strikers at $4,000 that would give total OF
al 100. 600 which tho men have lost.
The av"rage weekly tonnage of the company mas
been 10000 II sells lts cal at f' onside tho cost
Of the cou.uany over 100000 for a week, or over
g., 900 900 for the month.