The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1897-09-17
FEDERATION
OF LABOR
Takes Hand in the Anthracite Coal
Region Strike.
ORGANIZING STRIKING MINERS |
Women Take a Hand in the Strike and
Drive Out a Number of Men Who We're
at work-The Troops Can
Find No Disorder

Hazleton, Pa. Sept. 1.-THE Ameri-
can Federation Of Labor, with a mem-
bership Of half a million, has taken up
the cause Of the mine workers in this
region. Their organizers are already
at work here, and when this has been
completed uniform scale will be form
ulated and presented to the operators.
There will be no marching nor any
thing in the way of a demonstration,
and no attempt will be made to bring
about sympathetic strike movements.
At the mass meeting fixed for to-
morrow night, at Old Park, Peter ].
Mcguire, vice president of the Fed
Grafton, and secretary general of the
United Brotherhood of Carpenters and
Joiners, Of Philadelphia, will make an
address. George Chance, also of the
Quaker City, a leader of the United
Labor League, will also speak If con-
dluons warrant 1t Samuel Gompers,
president Of the Federation, and Frank
Morrison, secretary, will come to
Hazleton later. The organization's
money will be used in the movement.
and 5000 of the fund sent by the car
penters to the general fund at Column
bus, o., Is ready on demand and will
be contributed II found necessary.
v.
Debs will speak at the Saturday night
meeting the strike leaders say that If
he comes 1t will not be at their solicita-
tion. No invitation has been extended
to him and they do not believe he will
be here,
The work of organization is being
done by the sending Of emissaries bv
twos and threes to mines, and every
effort Is being made to avoid the an
Pearance of a demonstration. Organ
izer John Fahey, of the United Mine
Workers, has charge of the work, and
ne will shortly be assisted by new men
from the ranks Of the Federation.
Fahey yesterday made answer to the
expressions of Calvin Pardee, the coal
operator, who insinuated that Fahey
was working for his own interests in
stead OF those Of the strikers, and de-
clared that were 1t not for "agitators"
the men would be at work. To this
Fahey asserts that he was sent for by
the miners, and has been congratulated
by the press for his work thus far. He
denies the charges made and challenges
Mr., Pardee to furnish proof of their
authenticity. He concludes by demand
ing an apology.
The peace prevailing during the past
few days was broken yesterday by
conflict between striking and working
miners, which for a time threatened
to be serious. A body of about 15O men
and boys, led by a score OF more of
women, made a raid on the Carson,
Star and Monarch Collleries at Honey
Brook, near Audenried. The women.
as well as their followers, were armed
with clubs and stones, and before the
500 workers could be induced to come
out the missiles were used. Some of the
women stationed themselves on the ton
OF culm bank and pelted the work.
ingmen with stones. One Hungarian
was dubbed over the head and badly
injured, but no further harm was in
hicted. a large force of strikers was
stationed behind an adjacent culm
bank ready to reinforce the body of
raiders If necessary, but at this stage
OF the attack the employees quit in a
body and Joined the strikers ranks.
The encounter was the direct result
Of an attempt to start up the Lehigb
and Wilkesbarre collieries. Despite the
determination to remain out until Su-
perintendent laval was heard from
regarding the 10 per cent advance de-
manded a number of Hungarians and
Italians reported for work yesterday
morning. As soon as this news reached
Bunker Hill and Honey Brook the at
tack was made, each cplliery being
visited in turn. The superintendent
called for assistance OF Sheriff Scott
Of 6chuylkill county, in which county
Honey Brook lies, and that official
made demand on General Goblin for
8 body Of soldiers. A battalion of the
Eighth regiment, under Colonel Magee.
hurrledly marched from their Auden-
ried camp to the scene OF the trouble.
but, as usual, 1t was over and the men
scattered when the soldiers reached
there. Colonel Magee received a report
OF the occurrence and made a demon
stration with the Idea of subduing the
turbulent inclinations Of the foreigners.
The march proceeded through Honey
Brook, Bunker Hill and McAdoo. Here |
the troops were halted, while the Off |
GERS made a short reconnoiter toward |
Silver Brook Nothing OF a suspicious |
character was seen, however, and the |
troops were marched back to camp |
hot, weary and dust stained after |
seven mile tramp.
The soldiers had not been out of sight
ten minutes before a crowd of strikers
pounced upon squad of Hungarians
who were screening coal near the Star
washery and forced them to ouit work |