The record-union., 1897-11-10
How the Owners Will Break the
Backbone Of the Strike.
Threaten to Employ MungolIans Unless the
Strikers Return to Work.
Thousands Of Men Who Have Been
Idle for Many Months, 1t Is
Said, Have Determined to Go to
Work Within a Few Days-The
Situation at Streater, Illinois,
Serious.
CHICAGO, Nov. e.-The Tribune"

chicago, NOV. S-1hS Aiiou
says:
Work is in progress on a proposeu
edght-foot fence to be placed afouhu
the Star mine, No. 2 at CARBON HILL
in the Braidwood Qll) mining dastrlct.
All the company's buildings are TO De
moved inside the inclosure.
Along with the reports of the stock
ade building, there came to Chicago
private advices to the effect that the
backbone of the strike was broken, and
that thousands of the men who have
been idle for almost half a year would
return to work within ten days. The
stockade may have the primary pur-
pose Of answering the company's de-
mands, or it may be planned with the
significant aim of protecting imported
Mongolian workmen.
One thousand men formerly employed
by the General Wilmington Coal Com
pany at the Braceville mine, voted yes
teTday to return to work tomorrow
This mine is the largest in the north
ern part of the State, and is said to be
one of the keys to the situation in what
is known as the Braidwood district.
Last night miners at neighborlnE
plants were declaring that these resolu-
tions to go back to work would carry
but few men, and would end in fizzle.
General reports We're to the effect thai
the preparations to bring Chinese min
ers from Wyoming to take the strikers
places have created a stampede among
the Italian and nom English speaking
men, and local coal operators say this
break in the strikers ranks marks the
beginning Of the end, and that there
will, after all, be no necessity Of the
importation of the Chinese.
General Manager II. n. Taylor of the
General Wilmington Coal Company
says the news from Braceville regard
ng the action of the strikers is correct.
and he expressed hopes that it would
be unnecessary to carry out the idea of
importing the Chinese. He declared
positively, however, that unless the re-
manning strikers returned to work
break the strike and open the mines
with Chinese miners to be imported
from Rock Springs. Wyo.
In the Chinese quarters in Chicago
signs written in the Chinese language
We're posted here and there, calling for
Celestial workmen to take places in the
lliiIGH, DQL llit dll6 W C1S W tilrSC Ci
tisements We're few, if any. Lu Chez
Chi a Chinese contractor from Rock
Springs, Wyo is in the city. and with
two Of his local agents he called on
General Manager Taylor of the coal
company, and held a long conference
behind closed doors. The same Chinese
officials inspected the mines in the
Braidwood district, and declared they
could furnish 1000 skilled miners TO
take the places of the strikers. AS to
the importation of Chinese, the reports
in Chicago are to the effect that they
Were to be brought in under contract
to work for 81 cents ton for a period
of five years. and the company officials
say they will be amply protected by
guns.
THINK IT ONLY A BLUFF.
SPRING VALLEY 0ll.), Nov. 9.-The
miners in this part of the district are
indignant over the action of the Brace
vile men in accepting a settlement be-
low the scale. The Spring Valley men
claim to have the strike won, and the
leaders say that no matter if the
Braceville men do return to work at
the non union scale, the Spring Valley
men will hold out until next May if
necessary. for the scale formulated at
Springville, Ladd, Seatonville. La Sale
and Peru are equally firm.
The labor leaders here scoff at the
idea OF the "coolie" movement being q
success They say 1t is only bluff
Said one prominent leader to-day:
What If they do succeed in working
one obscure mine with Cinnamon? That
does not break the strike. We are not
going TO let Cinnamon at Carbon Hill
make the price of coal mining for over
100000 miners In Northern Illinois,
A committee of miners from this
part of the district will probably be
sent to Braceville for the purpose of in
ducing the men of that place to re-
consider their late action. A delegate
convention of the Northern Illinois min
ers will be held at Streator tomorrow
and an effort made TO get the Brace
VILE men to rescind the vote by which
they decided to go to work below the
scale.
report is current here that a set
Element has been effected at Wenona
under the terms Of the Springfield
scale. John Mitchell. the district or
ganizer left this city last night for the
seat Of the trouble at Braceville and
Carbon Hill.
BLOODSHED NAY RESULT.
SPRINGFIELD Qll.). Nov. "a re-