The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-07-25


A strike which may tie up all the
Delaware and Hudson mines from
Nandling to Plymouth was ordered
last night by the mine workers who at
tended a meeting of the runners and
drivers of the North Scranton and
Olyphant mines of the company, held
in Leonard's hall, North Scranton. If
such strike should occur, upwards
70 1900 mine workers employed at
twenty eight mines would be thrown
out of work.
The runners and drivers present by
unanimous vote, decided TO quit
work tomorrow morning at the Dick
son, Marvine, Won Storch and Leg
gett's Creek mines in this city IL the
company does not agree to their de-
fnands today. The drivers and rum
ners at the Grassy Island and No. 2
mines are already out on strike, so
that If the company does not give in
this will mean the closing down of six
mines in this vicinity tomorrow.
The trouble dates back over six
weeks since the former strike of the
drivers and runners at the Marvine
mine. At that time the strikers main
tained that when they received their
June wages, the following cuts were
made without any previous notice.
First class drivers, from s1.25 to s105;
runners from s1.51 to s1.4O,
COMMITTEE NAMED.
The runners and drivers at the Mar
vine mine went out first at that time.
but they were quickly followed by
those employed at the other three
mines In North Scranton. Meetings
were held and a committee was APP
pointed to wait upon superintendent
| Rose.
The latter official was out Of town
and the committee accordingly waited
upon General Inside superintendent
| Finlay Ross. Mr.. Ross, it is said, signed
an agreement providing that no driver
| boy was to be paid less than s1.05, there
| having been some who had previously
received only 81 cents, and that run
| ners were to receive $1.5l. and first
class drivers $l.25. as heretofore.
1t was stated last night by several Of
those in attendance at the meeting
| that when Mr.. Ross signed this agree
ment he stated that he was acting
under instructions in doing so. The
strikers accordingly returned to work
in all of the four mines and have
| been working ever since.
1t is claimed that when they opened
| their envelopes containing their June
pay, the early part of this month,
they found that the cut had been
made as before, and that none of the
promises contained in the agreement
signed by Mr.. Ross, had been fulfilled
A committee which waited upon Su-
perintendent Rose were informed, so
they state, that he had not authorized
Mr.. Ross to sign any agreement and
| that the men would have to be con-
tent with the cut for the present.
STRUCK LAST WEEK.
In the meantime, runners, door
boys and rail sanders at the Grassy
Island and No. 2 mines in Olyphant
went out on strike last week. They
demanded that the runners pay be in
creased from s1.3S to $1.45 day and
that first class drivers be paid $l.26
per day, as heretofore, the company
having cut their wages down to SLIP.
The North Scranton drivers and run
ners invited the Olyphant strikers to
join with them and the middle of last
week it was Jointly decided to pre-
sent a new wage scale to the company
for it's consideration. This wage scale
provided for an increase in the pay
instead of simply a demand that they
be paid what they previously re-
ceived.
It provides for an increase in the
pay of RUNNERS for $1.51 to $161 a
day; an increase for first class drivers
from $l25 to $1.35; an increase for
second class drivers from 81 cents
and $l.05 to S1.15; an increase for door
boys from 80 cents to so cents day.
This wage scale was placed in the
hands of a committee. which waited
upon Superintendent Rose on Thurs
day last. Mr.. Rose informed the men,
it was stated last night, that he didn't
favor the new scale, but that he would
give them a definite answer sometime
in the near future.
The men and boys waited until last
night and then decided to go on strike
tomorrow morning, If their demands
are not acceded to by then. If they
do go on strike 1t will mean the throw
ing out Of employment at once of about
$500 men and boys employed at the
six mines in North Scranton and Oily
phant. There are about 800 runners
drivers and door boys in these six
mines.
WILL VISIT OTHER MINES.
1t was stated last night after tho
meeting that If the strike comes of
tomorrow, that deputations would be
sent at once to all of the Delaware
and Hudson mines, both up and dowr
the valley, to get the runners and driv'
ers in those mines to make a similai
demand and go out also. 1t was an
nounced after last nights meeting thai