The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-11-09

Conditions almost exactly similar to
those which preceded the fateful Black
Friday at Lattmer now exist at Old
Forge where fourteen hundred work.
men at Jermyn & Co.'S two collieries
have been on strike for over a month.
The breach between the company and
the men is constantly widening The
company is attempting to resume oper-
ations with "blacklegs" and the strik-
ers are intimidatinE the workmen and
conducting parades from one hamlet to
another while armed deputies patrol
the works and escort those who are
working as they so to and from the
mine.
A collision between the strikers and
the deputies while not imminent, is not
improbable. though both sides declare
such thing is very unlikely. The
cOmpany's representatives say the
presence of the deputies will prevent
disorder. The strikers say they will
not molest either the deputies or the
wOrkmen. further than to plead with
the latter to keep away from the
works. If these intentions are persisted
| in there will be no trouble. There is,
however a lurking danger in the
thoughtless or hot headed acts Of the
| individual on either side and it is this
that has to be guarded against
The strike itself is an example of the
| difficulty encountered in dealing with
the class Of men who make up the body
| of the strikers.
DOCKAGE THE GRIEVANCE.
The grievance is about dockage. They
| claim they are docked too much and
| demand that one of their own number
| shall be employed to act in conjunction
with the docking boss at the head"
| in determining the percentage of dirty
| coal sent up
| Joseph j. Jermyn. the company's
| manager. would not hear to this prop
osition, realizing that there would be
constant disputes between the two
| docking bosses and daily squabbles be-
tween the superintendent and the min
ers over the conflicting findings. To
satisfy the men he suggested that they
| select u man for the position of dock
| ing boss and he would appoint him,
providing. of course. he was fitted for
the position. The men either did not
appreciate the offer or object to reced-
ing from their original demand, for
they refused to accept 1t and persisted
in what they had asked for.
The company refusing to make the
| concession the men at No. colliery
on October - quit work and took out
their tools. The next day those en-
ployed at No. l did likewise. Since that
time the mines have been idle and both
sides have been playing a waiting
game.
Fully half dozen committees waited
on Manager Jermyn at one time or
other to effect a settlement. Each
time a conference was held the com.
mittee Went away leaving the company
to understand that everything was
satisfactory and that work would be
resumed. The committee would make
its report to the strikers, the scheme
of settlement would be rejected and
the breach would only be opened ths
wider.
UNION OFFICERS CALLED IN.
Two weeks ago the officers of tho
United Mine Workers union took a
hand in the matter and attempted o
settlement. IT secured from the COM
pary what was thought would be ac-
ceptable terms, but as was the case
with the other committees, no settle
ment was effected.
Finally the company decided TO wai
no longer for the strikers to become
conciliated hut to resume operations
with whatever men could he secured
Manager Jermyn went among the
strikers and notified them of the in,
tention to resume work Tuesday, an,
telling them that if they wanted thei
places back they should report fol
duty. Some said they would be o.
| hand. others said IhaN antnd In @.