Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-09-14

OSAA AA4Ss AL l. lO1A &A1t OOi .
Mine Superintendents Ask That
Their Homes be Guarded-A SEN
satiOnal Conversation Overheard
Which Causes Dynamite War
fare to be Feared.
Hazleton, Pa, September 13.-Hazle-
ton quivers tonight on the edge of a
volcano Uncertainty is the keynote
of the situation: and the town is
sleeplessly awaiting the dawn of a day
fraught with unknown and fearful pos
sibilities.
Atsthis writing troops are march
ing on the mines of Coke Bros, at
Eckley, which nestles in the valley
about eighteen miles from here. Tele-
grams to brigade headquarters late
this afternoon indicated an alarming
condition there. The remoteness of
the situation will make difficult the
securing of definite news from the
scene before morning. The first
knowledge of disturbance at the Coke
colliery reached brigade headquarters
this morning, when Gen. Goblin re-
ceived a dispatch that 200 miners at
Buck Mountain, three miles from Eek
ley, had gone on strike and began to
march on the Eckley mine Request
was made for detachment of the mil
itary to avert possible conflict, but be-
fore the soldiers could be started off
to the scene, the authorities were re-
assured by the receipt of a second tel
egram to the effect that the march had
been stopped and no further trouble
was feared.
Late this afternoon a third dispatch
changed the situation for worse. 1t is
said that the march had been resumed
and carried to the Eckley mines; and
that the men there had been forced to
quit work, after rough handling by
the marching men.
The City troop Of Philadelphia, the
crack cavalrymen, were instantly Or
dered to proceed to Eckley. To reach
the spot they will have TO ride over
eighteen miles of rough mountain
roads. The news has created conster-
nation throughout the district and all
the collieries are preparing for trou-
BILE
Gen. Goblin has bee.. deluged with
requests for troops, but declares that
Will send none to any point unless
outbreak really occurs. This is
rsdfree- Of Of pfecaution to keep the SOL
mobilized.
E-she mine superintendents are much
worried men. They accept the lesson
offered by the havoc wrought at Conner
Jones's home the other night, and two
have asked the brigade commander to
place guards around their houses,
which will be done. The names Of the
superintendent are kept secret.
There is sensational story afioat
concerning conversation overheard
on the streets of Hazleton to-day, but
it should be accepted with a reserva-
ton. The story goes that a group of
miners were standing on a corner when
! one was heard to remark: eve got
the material, but I don't know how to
mix the damned stuff If | did. I'd
blow them up tonight"
1t is said that thu guards were
placed about the superintendent
houses as result of this.
To-day had been regarded as the
turning point of the situation because
Of the prohibition issued by General
Goblin against the proposed funeral
demonstration. A compromise was eff
rected this morning, however. and the
uay passed off without disturbance In
N-the meantime, the Coke collieries were
being watched with intense anxiety
1t was known that the 1000 men en-
pioyed at No. had made a demand
for 10 per cent. increase which was
10 be submitted to the operators to-
day, with the alternative of strike"
From 5000 to 1000 men are employed
at all the collieries and it was under
stood that such a movement would
bring them all out Whether or not
the proposition was formally submitted
to-day could not be learned. because
nobody would talk.
The men were all at work, but strike
talk was rife, and a big meeting at
Stockton had been scheduled for to-
night There was a general impress
sion that nothing decisive would be re-
solved upon at least before tomorrow.
which is pay day. with two weeks
money coming to the men. The Coke
mems grievance is that they are on a
lower scale than that paid by any
other company in the region, but the
company store feature does not enter
their case.
Another report late afternoon was
that the employees of ex-Congressman
Leisenring's upper Lehigh colliery
will go out tomorrow on a sympathet-
ic strike.
Gen. Goblin said this afternoon that
the withdrawal of troops had not been
been considered for a moment They
will remain on the ground until the
sheriff is convinced that he will be
fully able to cope with any emergency
that may arise.
The first discord between the mil
itary and the strikers occurred to-day
and Gen. Goblin was angry about it.
Following his order against the pro-
posed funeral demonstration, he ar
ranged for a conference this morning
with the Polish priests who are look
ing after the cause of the men. He i'm
pressed them with the necessity for
preventing any show of military char
acter and said he would permit no uni
formed men to participate except those
representing religious societies Bands
of music. side arms. sticks and banners
were also prohibited. The priests
promised that all this should be done
and the commander on the other hand
- oil