The sun., 1900-09-17
BIG STRIKE BEGINS TO-DAY.
GENERAL SHUTDOWN EXPECTED IN
THE ANTHRACITE REGION.
Large Numbers OF Miners Join the Union at
the Last Moment TO save Troubie and Per
haps Escape Violence -Bitumiuous Men
Decide Not to Go Out-The situation.

hsps Escape Violence Bitumiuous Men
Decide Not to Go Out-The situation.
WiLKEs-BARRR. Pa. Sept. ie.-Final meetings
Of the United Mine Workers OF this region
before the great coal strike were held this after
noon and miners who had not Joined the union
enrolled their names at the locals" They
want protection even though they do not desire
a strike. and this Ia the one way OF getting II.
The organization Is now almost solid all the
way from Forest City to Shickshinny, which
district comprises the cities OF Scranton, Car
bondale. Wilkes-Barre and Pittston and the
big towns Of Dunmore Duryea. Avoca, MinOoka,
West Pittston, Wyoming. Kingston, Plains,
Parsons. Miners Mills. Ashley. Nanticoke,
Plymouth and Edwsrdsville. Some doubt
was felt regarding the feeling Of the Pennsyl-
Vanla Coal Company at Pittston. but their feel
Ing was expresse last night and this afternoon,
when almost in boiy they Joined the unions
The leaders now report that with the possible
exception OF couple Of small individual col
rerles none OF the mines in this big region
will attempt to work tomorrow.
A. the meetings held to-day the speakers
made a special point OF counselins the men
against any outbreak, declaring that II would
merely result In the benefit of the companies.
as the militia would then be called out They
impressed this upon the men for the reason
that the companies are gathering lot Of men
In the HaZlnton region. where there Is fear Of
trouble between the union and the non-unon
men II IL in that region that efforts are 10
ba made tomorrow 10 work about half Of the
mines
The business depression consequent to the
strike IL already being felt Several OF the big
department stores are planning TO "lay of
"A number Of clerks; the factories. II the strike
lasts long will be compelled 10 close and the
utmost economy is being uscd in the consump-
ton Of coal That there will be no disastrous
failures stch a. marked othe- strikes aud
swept many big business men iu'o bankruptcy
l. evident nv the actions Of n" merchants
during n" rist few days there have been con
Etaut.a me. tiug- between the " hob ~ le dealer
o' this city scranton. Pittstuu and other towns
dl-ing The coming strike was the tonic OF d.
r,l>-,on II vas finally agreed that they would
an notify their retail customers that no more
credit would be given 10 those who sold 10
miner after Monday unless they disposed
~, 'i,ir goods AZ spot cash
M co ne Flvo Sf fntdSdT aT icrmea %TIs hGf ihGr ! Ss
TONERS who work IN the mines Of the decision,
and have 'Jd them that those only can have
credit who own property and are willing 20
deposit Judgment notes with the merchants
a. sg1rDr'r" against IDs- This, u appears
upon thorough nye-'gation has been the
t'l- part 90 'nr 1rilraClt" regions
N" vNpi"-a'"r- ure determined 90 protect
u"m>".y..,, asun-' any ro.,ihle losses, ,ond
insure Them TO- '.'.r dealings With tho retailers
In SOME ca."- rh' '1't"r. who have been dong
81 1rs" credit i"'.u',,- have determined uuon
duy- In uT.hr 20 'Hhu .rNrntcri"~ and make
on account. ,nd Thrr ,hry open again they
Mge party Of fms and Sl1vs left to-dny
q i' l.laVarn a. hawanna and Western.
One Expressed the situation:
no work 40 money no get money, no eat
large number of EnTlsh-speaking miners
are also arranging TO 60 West. Most Of them
VII go to Monta1a' NE Dak9tas as and lowe;
some few will go to the soft coal regions Agents
from Western towns are here now and ara got
WIN The mine workers Of the anthracite
re. 10 facing the strike, the question how
long they will be able TO hold out is The chief
one being considered now. i is evident that
tie companies will make a long fight The
Non to-day are confident and say they were
never IN better condition for enforcing their
sary they can, they believe. hold out several
months. An old miner said:
Most Of The men "hgm ;, 5ot knoT UoI,E can be fn
union for aid But they will Of course demand
strike money whether they need II or not. They
have been working good time for some months
past and many have money put by. Then they
have their August pay which they got last week
This was the largest nav they have received
IN wears a. big a. two ordinary months, and It
win last them almost two months Il they do not
Jay their August bills and manv Of them haven't
done So Then they worked thirteen days this
month steadily. as many days as they have
frequently put in for whole month This
will last another four weeks so that there are
look after themselves. After that they will
need aid, bu' il should he time enough for the
union 10 gather in sufficient money 10 make a
large fund"
The leaders have asserted that the union
has fund "i Hoo0OOO on which N start the
strike and that the donations from other labor
unions " III quickly swell this fund. The opera
tor, however who have made particular
effort 10 discover the strength of tho union,
dsSlarc that II cannot command tiOOOO
4 big meeting 81 union and non-uniOn men
a. the lefhgh and Wilkes Barre Coal ComJ any
vas held this evening AT Rolling Mill hin George
Edwards, a clerk In the enI 10y of the company,
lude speech urging the men to 10 70 work
men that they withdrew. AiterWard some
~ thr nnn.union men made sp"echcS ard II
Wa decided finally not 10 20 10 work. II was
al,u decided TO Join the union tomorrow
District President I. ID. Nichols addressed
a big meeting AZ Plains tonight, the feature
OF women, wives and daughters Of the miners
He appealed TO them to keep their husbands
and sons away from work and they. responded
with cries o' STRIFE! Strike" Nichols said he
IN 'he district and was assured that no mine
would be- working tomorrow. After the
meeting the women cheered him heartily and
Were followed by the men National Organ
and aroused great enthusiasm Al Sugar
Notch n Polish organizer spoke, but the PnR-
nsh-spoaking miners not being able to under
staad him, sent for President Nichols TO ad-