The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-02-07
THE READING STRIKE.
The William Penn Colliery Starts up a gain
New Troubles Brewing

SHENANDOAH, Pa, February 1.-The Will
liam Penn colliery made successful start to-
day, having over three hundred men at work
The advisory committee worked hard this
morning importuning the men to stay away
from the mine, but in only few instances did
they succeed: Coal was hoisted and prepared
all day at lively rate, and ii is said ship
ments will begin tomorrow. Turkey Run
miners were notified today that the Reading
company would work that collie ry tomorrow
and to report for duty.
MT. CARMEL, Pa, February 1.-Unsuccess-
full attempts were made TO resume work at tho
Reading collieres this morning, but few hands
responded. Engineers, carpenters and black
smiths threaten 10 strike and stop the mines
which have partially resumed unless the COM
pany advances their wages. Should the pump
engineers goIout much damage to the collieries
will result.
HAzELToN, Pa, February 1.-The resump-
ton, which it was said would follow the clearing
away OF the snow from the tracks of No 4
breaker of the Lehigh and Wiilsesbarre Coal
company, at Audenreid, did not take place
today. The firm were unable to secure any
men to work. After this failure the officials
made overtures to some of the men to per-
suade them to go to work in the mine In order
to mine and hoist dozen cars of coal which
they desired to run through the breaker in
order to test some new machinery that has
been lately placed in position. The men re-
iected the proposals and refused assistance A
party of bosses, clerks and bool1keopers then
went to work and will cndeavor to mine and
hoist the coal which the miners refused to
supply.
READING, Pa, February 3.-Another sl1ir-
mish with pistol shots is reported from the coal
regions this morning. The miners at the Will
liam Penn Collery were stopped by party of
twenty men from No. 3 and a fight ensued.
The strikers also met men from Rock Bank at
Turkey Run switch and stoned some Poland
ers. The attacking party are on strike at tho
Philadelphia company's works Coal and iron
company police III disguise We're with the
Poles and made rush for the assailants, and
Thomas Ryan was captured and taken to
Pottsvillc Jail. The others were chased by police
to No. 3 school house. where they were met by
large force who fired two shots at the officers.
The latter did not return the fire with their
carbines for fear of killing some innocent per-
sons, but went back and escorted the Poles to
q place of safety.
District assembly No. IS, which closed its
three days session at Pittston this morning,
officially announces this afternoon that they
have resolved to demand an advance of Is per
cent of all mine operators in Lackawanna and
Wyoming valleys. Thew say that the present
prices of coal warrant such u move on their
part. The district executive board, to whom
the matter was referred, will submit their re-
port to the operators tomorrow, and special
meeting of district assembly 10 will be called
at an early day to consider the answer of the
operators. They claim their ability to enforce
their demand from the fact, though few in
numbers. their ranks embrace n large ma ority
of practical miners, and that their numbers
are sufficient to close every mine in this region
if they determine to strike
SHENANDOAH, Pa, February 3.-A =. "ca-
dous riot broke ont here tonight. When the
miners in the collieres which recently re-
sumed operations quit work lor today, they
were attacked by crowds OF idle miners, prnci-
paily Polandcis, and were defended by the
city police and officers OF the coal and iron po-
lice. In few minutes the entire town was i'll
possession of the rioters, and any number Of
broken heads and bruised bodies could be
found. The police were oycrrun hy numbers
officers of the law and justices Of tho peace
were wrecked and all prisoners captured by
officers were liberated. The sheriff has sworn
i'll three fire companies as part Of his posse and
the city authorities have passed an ordinance
FOR the enrolment Of special officers Nobody
has been killed so far rs is known, although
pistols were used freely by the mob II is evil
dent the affair was premeditated. Tomor-
anxiety.
SHENANDOAH, i February As antci-
pated, the riot Of last night was renewed this
evening. and the manner in which it was gone
about leaves no further room for doubt that it
is part of an organized plan to compel all tho
miners to lie idle until a general resumption
of work takes place. An immense crowd OF
strikers gathered near Kelley Run collicry
when the time approached for the miners TO
quit work. The front ranks were composed of
Poles, principally, all apparently armed with
pistols. the breaker bows were the first to
leave the coiicry, and they were set upon and
beaten as savageiy as il they had
been men, The coal and iron police
formed in close dcrauh marched through the
Ftre ITS clearing passage Tor III g miners 70 90
home. While thus engaged they were fired
upon by number oi Poles, who were con-
cealed in the shadow Of bank Of earth. and
two officers we're badly wounded, one PROBABLY
fatally. The officers fired over the heads of the
mob, but they did not scare. bat gave way,
slowly keeping up n steady fire upon the
officers. The latter finally reached their bar.
racks without further harm,ere they now VIII
are. Part of the mob followed and bescigcd
them thore, but they made qno attack. ell
officers have their carbmeS and the Poles
seem to have q Wholesome fear
of observation-disclosures After tho shoot
ing had been done Chief burgess,
with q few specials and members OF the
strikers advisory board, appeared on tn" scene
and succeeded ~ getting the major portion Of
the crowd--notthe combaliye part, thOugiI--to
dispense to their homes, and temporary peace
was obtained The worst ci cement DI the Poles.
however, remained near indian Ridge mine,
waiting for q chance 20 got at the officers, who
remained inside attending 10 their wounded
brothers as best they could. At $50 p.
m. four carloads Of mon came to
town over tho Reading road from MahOney
plane and other points and the train was run
past the depot aud under the coal chutcs OF
Indian Ridge breaker, whore they remained.
They are believed to be coal and iron police
officers nasscd here for the purpose Oi con-
trolling the mob. Captain Christian forcsaw
what wag coming today, and told an associated
press representative that by evening no would
have enough men here 10 take care Of thcm-
selves and protect the property. IL is believed
that these are the men, although no one Is
allowed to approach near enough to ascertain
positively.
CEcfysATI, February About 5000 men,
women and girls, employed in tho Shoe manu-
featuring busine are locked ont in this city.
The manufacturers, At a meeting today, agreed
upon this course Of action The origin Of the
trouble was the keeping back Of the wages Of
twelve girls in Blocker Gerstle q Co.'s manu-
factory last Saturday, which the firm claimed
had been paid them improperly by mistake in
estimating their work Their fellow wOrkmcn
took up the girls cause, and sent q committee
to settle the matter. The firm refused 70 SEQ
the committee, whereupon the other employees
Of the firm struck The manufacturers claim
that the employees violated an agreement that
manufacturers should be expected 20 treat
with but one committee and that the com
mittee on wages.