The evening times., 1900-09-07
CALM BEFORE THE STORM
Ali Ready for the Big Ceal Strike
in Pennsylvania.
Guiet Throughout the Anthracite Re-
aEon godax-Order to the Miners
Scheduled for Saturday Nisht-Re-
port That the Militia VIII Be Call
ed out Denounced by the Men

WII4hESBARRE, Sept. An is GU ct
throughout the entire anthracite region
today. but it is the luH before the strike.
The men are working with the knowledge
that tomorrow will be the last working
day for many weeks, for the strike order
is to come on Saturday night and take e1-
feet on Monday.
The labor leaders are hard at work in
tEe Hazieton district. where the dssire
for a strike is not 50 strong as in other
parts OF the region, endeavoring TO put
heart in the men. In this district the
feeling of the workers was expressed at
a quiet meeting of committees from the
various colleries, which reported unani-
mously that the men they represented
were ready to obey the order to strike
In the Hazleton district President
Nicholas sent out the report today that
operators had refused to submit the diff
ferences TO arbitration. He, with District
President Duff and Father Phillips. had
suggested TO the operators an arbitra-
tion committee. The dozen or so mine
operators TO whom this proposition was
made refused 1t.
The first gathering of the union inen
after the order for a strike will be held
at West Scranton on Sunday. its object
being TO stiffen the men for The COM
mencement of the strike on the day foi-
lowing,
Both operators. and labor leaders are III
dignantIy denouncing a report sent out
from Scranton that General Goblin has is
sued orders for the militia to prepare for
instant action.
This is absurd as 1t is unjust TO both
sides. and is circulated 20 do the strikers
cause much harm. Throughout the region
there is rush Of orders for coal enough
to keep the companies busy for a month
making deliveries. Several of the big
manufacturing concerns have ordered
thousands of tons.
HAZLETON, Pa. Sept. Shortly after
midnight the committee Of United Mine
Workers gave cut the following statement:
Rev Z. 5. Phillips met here today
with the officers of the United Mine
Workers OF the three anthracite mining
districts for the consideration of the prop
osition submitted by him at last week s
convention. This was that a conference
be held between the operators of the coal
region and a committee composed as foi<
lows: Four business men, one from each
OF the Boards of Trade of Namokin, Ha
zleton, Wilkesbarre. and Scranton, two
clergynen, q Catholic priest and Pro-
testant clergyman, three miners from each
of the following anthracite coal regions;
SchuyIkill and Northumberland, Lehigh,
Wyoming, and LackawanEa- Two from
each region 10 be union mep and one from
each region to be a union man and
all TO be miners at present in the employ
OF the operators il the region they repre-
sent.
This forms a committee of eighteen,
twelve miners. four business men, and TWO
cleTgymen. The miners and the operators
Of the region TO confer on the question
at issue while the clergymen and business
men were allowed to be present through
the conference. to be privileged TO ask aEy
questions which may be suggested by the
/ conference and TO aid in the amicabIe ad-
jus tment of the differences. Father Phil
lips. acting rs Intermediary, upon the re-
quest of the officials. submitted this prop
osition to all OF the larger corporations
which could be reached by telephone. The
answers received were unfavorable.
Then Father Phillips, realizing the uF-
genCy of the situation, advanced another
proposition. as follows: That each com
pany receive a committee of its own en-
ployes and discuss the grievances. On
this proposition the operators were not
unanimous, some contending that they
were always ready to receive committees
OF their own employees. while others
| claimed that superintendents or mana
gers could not give positive answers
| without consulting their superiors.