The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-09-27


did so after great pressure was brought
to bear upon them Hundreds of those
still at work are there because they
don't wish to act the part of ingrates.
In fact, that feeling of reluctance to be
unfair has had more to do with keeping
many Of the SchuylkiI miners from
joining the strikers than any other in
fuence.
NOT ENOUGH MEN.
Ashland, Pa, Sept 275The Locust
Spring colliery at Locust Gap, nine miles
from here, is idle today, an insufficient
The Potts and the Bast workings are
short handed The mine workers in this
district state that they would have
struck sooner, but there had been no
organization. A branch of the United
Mine Workers was formed last night
and 135 men are said to have Joined. To-
morrow viii be pay day and many of
the men have Signified their intention
of becoming members at the meeting to
be held tomorrow night Organizer
Fahey will address this meeting There
are about 5000 mine workers in this dis
probably 1900. The North Franklin COL
liery at Trevorton is working with
short force.
TOTAL SUSPENSION EXPECTED.
Hazleton. Pa, Sept 27.-The end of the
second week approaches with the pros
pect today of a total suspension of labor
before a general resumption begins.
President Mitchell of the Mine Work
efS union mas devoted himself strictly
to developing the present situation, and
regards the victory as about accom-
pl1shed as to its first stage In order to
secure the demands made by him for
the miners, he must first stop coal pro-
duction. His theory is that the necessity
for a supply of anthracite coal will con-
strain the operators, both those who are
independent and those identified with the
coal transportation companies to ask
for conferences with the miners through
the Mine Workers union, urged by the
backing of public sentiment quickened
by the increased price of coal.
A report from Scranton of a possible
meeting between operators and repre-
SentativeS of the miners to discuss ar
bitration of the existing troubles does
not give hope here either to operators or
strike managers. The project depends
for its initial success upon the return
to work of the miners. A1itchell's orders
would have to be diSobeyed and this
can not be done.
The attitude of the operators promises
no early meeting of the two sides to the
strike. All signs point to a stubborn
fight, with occasional disturbances when
the harangues of the foreign organiz-
ers here fan a spark of zeal into fur
iOus fire of riot Such an outbreak, if
resulting in great sacrifice of life, might
avert the senselesS trial of endurance
in which the miners and their families
must be the immediate sufferers and the
ultimate losers.
Starting with profession of willing
ness to arbitrate, the Mine Workers
union has here in Hazleton found it's
hardest task at the Jeddo collieries in
breaking up the 15-year-old arbitration
agreement between the firm of G. B.
Mark1e & Co. and it's employees Accord
ing to the assertions of several operators
here, the original offer of the union to
resort to arbitration was never received
by them, leading them to conclude that
Mitchell and his associates so contrived
their actions as to insure a strike.
WILL TRY TO BREAK THE STRIKE
Scranton, Pa, Sept. 27.-There is no
radical change in the anthracite coal
situation in the Lackawanna region.
The only places at which work is being
done are the waSherieS, five in Scranton,
one at Taylor and small drifts at Car
bOndale, MurrinS and Burtons. The lat
ter two places bay be closed by Mine
Inspector Roderick, his attention today
being called to alleged fragrant viola
tiOns of the mining laws.
The departure of General Superintend-
ent Lewis, of the Lackawanna company,
early this morning has given credence
to rumOrS that he has been summoned
with the heads of the commercial COM
panieS- Mr.. Lewis is chairman of the
superintendents' association. Much
secrecy is maintained at his Office as to
his movements, but it is admitted he is
out of the city. The commissioning of
several coal and iron police by Governor
Stone at the request of the several COM
panieS here is taken to mean that each
break the strike the coming week by
operating at least one of each of their
collieries. The strike leaders say the
attempt will be a failure.
The return of Grand Master Hawley,
of the Switchmen's union from New
York to Scranton and his statement that
there would not be any action by the
switchmen just now, does not discon-
cert affairs at the headquarters of Dis
trict NO. 21. Mr.. Dempsey said today
that the switchmen had not been asked
to take part in the strike and what they
had been doing was of their own accord.
1t appears they had grievances of their
own and they used the miners strike as
a means whereby to have them rectifed,
and this, it is said, they have accom-
pliShed.
IN MITCHELL's HANDS.
Hazleton, Pa, Sept 27.-President
was asked this afternoon what he knew
of a report that the strike had been
settled, it being explained to him that
rumOr'S to that effect were in circulation
in New York and other parts of the
country. In reply he said: 1.-The report
that the anthracite coal strike has been
settled is absolutely untrue. The strike
can not be ended without my knowing
it and I have no knowledge of any eff
forts which would lead to an immediate
settlement No overtureS have been
made to me-"
FAVORED STRIKERS.
Philadelphia, Sept 27-Where there
We're any changes in the coal strike stu
alton today the changes were in favor
of the strikers. The Locust Spring col
liery, an important mine near Mount
Carmel, Schuylkill county, which has
been working with a reduced force, final
ly closed this morning, the strike lead
erS having induced the workers to quit
The mine is owned by the Philadelphia
& Reading company The leaders claim
that the North Franklin and the Read
ing company's coIlieries, will be closed
down by tomorrow evening.
The mine workers at Minersville, |
Schuylkill county, were formed into an
organization late last night and they an
nounce they will go on strike tonight.
In the Wyoming and Lackawanna re- |
gions. which have been practically tied |
up for some time. the situation today |