The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-09-28
DON'T HANDLE THIS COAL
So Mitchell Telegraphs Miners of the
Bituminous Product.
RuMoRS OF A SETTLEMENT INCORRECT
Men Warned TO Pay no Heed to Rumors But 10
Remain Steadfast Until They Hear
from Headquarters that Work
May be Resumed.
(By the Associated Press.)

(By the Associated Press.)
Hazleton Pa, Sept. 27.-president
Mitchell, of the United Mine Workers,
today sent a telegram to the Central
Pennsylvania bituminous coal fields,
which possibly may have the effect of
bringing the soft coal mine workers into
the contest which the anthracite workers
are now waging against the mine own
ers The telegram was sent to Richard
Gilbert, Secretary of District No. 2,
Clearfield, Pa. 1t was as follows:
Issue circular letter instructing all
mine workers in Central Pennsylvania
that they are not to load coal for ship
ment into markets formerly supplied by
anthracite operators. We are informed
that the Philadelphia and Reading, Della
ware and Hudson and the Jersey Central
Railroads, are now attempting to defeat
anthracite strike by sending their cars
into Central Pennsylvania to have them
loaded with bituminous coal. Please COM
ply with this request at once
OPERATORS WILL FOIL.
President Mitchell said that he had
been watching the bituminous coal field
al
leges has been made by the railroads
mentioned in his telegram, and he does
not fear that they will make much of
a success in getting the soft coal into
the anthracite market. The miners in
the central Pennsylvania region, he con-
tinues, are in thorough sympathy with
their fellow workmen in the eastern part
of the State, and President Mitchell feels
p6 hot
coal they may be loading or asked to
load is to take the place of hard coal
they will refuse to handle it.
Labor leaders do not anticipate any
suspension of work in the soft coal field
unless the operators insist upon sending
their coal to the anthracite market. They
also say that the Philadelphia and Pead-
ing, Delaware and Hudson and Jersey
Central Railroads being unable to fill
their contracts fer hard coal, are pre-
vailing upon their customers to accept
the soft coal wherever it can be used
as substitute.
Considerable interest is being mani
tested as to the effect of President Mitch
ell s action in attempting to defeat the
alleged move of the coal carrying roads.
This was day of rumors. Around
strike headquarters there were stories
in circulation that Archbishop Ryan and
Senator Hanna were coming here to see
President Mitchell; that all the Goa, car
rying roads had agreed to arbitrate all
differences and that the strike had been
settled. The last mentioned rumor was
the only one which the labor leaders
paid any attention to, and in connection
with it they sent a telegram to the presi
4
comprising the entire anthracite coal
field of Pennsylvania. The telegram is
as follows:
BE NOT DECEIVED.
Report is current that operators have
made concessions in wage scale and will
attempt to induce mine workers to re-
sumo work. Please advise all miners in
your district that no attention should be
given to these reports and that they will
be officially notified should any offer of
settlement be made. Under no considera-
tion whatever should work be resumed
unless authorized by a convention repre-
senting all mine workers in the an
thracite field. 1t is vitality important that
all miners stand firm and determined and
not be deceived by those whose interests
it is to defeat the purpose for which the
strike was inaugurated."
In speaking about the rumors of a
settlement Mr. Mitchell said the strike
could not be ended without him know
ing it and that he had no knowledge of
any effort that might now be in progress
which would lead to an immediate settle
ment. Mr.. Mitchell's attention was
called to dispatch in which ]. P. Nor
gan is credited with saying that he
(MitchelD would accept a ten per cent
advance. Mr. Mitchell said:
1T is absolutely untrue | am not en-
powered TO accept anything less than
what the miners in convention decided
to ask for. Anything under those de-
mands must be acted upon by regular
convention of delegates representing the
anthracite miners
Mr. Mitchell also denied having any
knowledge of the opening of negotiations |
mentioned by President TruesdaIe. of the
Delaware, Lackawanna and Western rail
road He does not know who the third |
person is that Mr.. Truesdale speaks Of |
and says he has not been approached in |
any way.
MORE OF MARKLI1S MEN OUT.
The entire Hazleton region was quiet |
today, and the only noticeable change in |
the strike situation was at the collieries /
of G. b. Markle and Company. AS pre-
dlcted by the strike leaders yesterday l