Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-08-19
SOUTH SIDE MEN OUT.
OVER $500 MINE WORKERS ON
STRIKE SINCE MONDAY.

|
| Lehigh and Wilkesbarre Company Finds
Trouble on Its Hands Through the EN-
ployment of IA Notorious Siave-Driver as
Superintendent Miners Expect to Win.
The strike of mule drivers which took
place at AGdenried on Saturday, at the
mines of the Lehigh and Wilkesbarre
Coal Company, and which at that time
caused a scrimmage between the strikers
and Superintendent Conner Jones, has
now developed into a more serious mat
ter. Not less than $500 employees went
out on Monday morning, and the quiet
of the South Side towns has been turned
to a scene of excitement. The Italians
and Hungarians, which were the last to
90 out, are the most aggressive, and fears
are entertained that they cannot be
controlled. The men have no organiza-
tion, but branch of the United Mine
Workers Association may be organized
there. McAdoo is the headquarters of
the strikers and frequent meetings are
| held.
| On Monday the mine officials antici-
patcd trouble and prepared for it by en-
listing the services of two squads of coal
and iron police, one under Captain
Simpson and another commanded by
Chief Hampton. Many of these thugs.
carried Winchester rifles. An effort
was then made to start No. coliery,
| Audenricd.
| The workmen meanwhile assembled in
from them the
MEN IN TIE BREAKER
left their places and joined the strikers.
From there they marched to Honey
Brook, where about GOO men are employ
ed, and these joined the ranks. Green
Mountain then came into line. A body
of strikers went to Trcskow, ciTecting
complete tie-up at No. 5, and to Honey
Brook, Hunky Dory, No. 10 and to
| Audcnried No 6, TreSkow and Green
Mountain, which embrace all of the Lee
| high and Wilkesbarrc collerics in the
Lehigh region.
The police could do nothing with
these men, even il they tried, and the
strikers showed very good judgment by
not noticing the gang of special police
who followed them about.
The lIungarians who were in the
strike assembled at their hall in McAdoo
and conducted meeting in their own
language. The Italians and the English
speaking employees did the same.
Elmer laval, of Wilkesbarrc, general
superintendent, came on the ground
Monday afternoon and next day heard
the
| GRIEVANCE OF THE STRIKERS,
| who sent a committee to him.
1t is the first strike in the anthracite
coal regions in which the foreign ele-
mcnt was in the majority, and the out
come is viewed with much interest
The striking miners held general
meeting in McAdoo Monday evening.
1t was attended by $500 men. Joseph
Keshilla was elected president of the
meeting. Keshila represents the Hun
garians Mile DuSe was elected vice
president to represent the Italian cle-
ment, and Alexander Mullen represent
ed the ngish-speaking miners.
Resolutions were adopted declaring
that the
MEN WOULD STAND TOGETHER
| If an attempt was made to discharge
them for participating in the strike
movement. A committee was appointed
to wait on Manager laval and demand
restoration of the system which was in
vogue prior to the advent of Superinten-
dent Jones to the district, also the dis
charge or transfer of Jones, who is noted
as II dlsturber of the most obnoxious
kind,
Mr.. laval, in company with Auditor
johnson, of New York, gave the com
mittee hearing, but could give no def
mite reply to their demands. He cx-
| pressed the opinion that the strike
might be settled early, but he was not
authorized as yet to say how the direc-
tors would meet the requests of the men.
SUPERINTENDENT JONES ARRESTED.
On Tuesday Superintendent Jones was
arrested on IL charge of assault and bat
terry, preferred by John Bodan, one of
the liungarians whom he struck on Sat
urday. Bail in the sum of $500 was
| given for his appearance at court.
Yesterday II committee of five went to
New York city, where they held CON
ference with the company officials.
Their report will be given at today's
meeting of the strikers.
Another Chapter of the Saba Romance.
i l. & H.. L