Evening journal., 1900-09-08
Operators Think Nothing But
Miracle Can Stop It
WILL PROVIDE FOR FAMILIES
Strikers Officials Declare Ii All The
Men Go Out Strike Can be Won
in Thirty Days

indianapolis, Sept s.-Under the
constitution of the United Mine Work.
ers of America the executive board
must decide before o'clock tonight
upon the application of the districts
embraced in the anthracite region for
permission to strike. Indications are
that before the time limit has expired
messag ges Will have been sent to the
presidents Of the three districts in
question announcing that the permis-
sion has been granted. Following
these messages will be others ordering
the men out of the mines.
The question of ordering the strike
was not submitted to a vote at the
meeting Of the executive board, which
was ia session here all day yesterday.
Expressions were heard from the mem
beis of the board as to the advisability
of ordering a strike, and after a day
spent in discussing the situation and
hearing the views of the board mem
bers President Mitchell said last night:
III said some time ago that In my
opinion there would be a big strike.
After talking with my colleagues all
day / have no reason to change my
opinion"
This assertion is considered very
significant at this time, and Is taken
as an assurance that unless conditions
change very materially before tonight
the big anthracite strike will be a
question of but a few hours.
In so far as actual results are con-
cerned the situation is practically un-
changed. The deliberations yesterday
were for the purpose of putting the
members of the board in possession OF
such facts as must necessarily enter
into their consideration before a strike
can be ordered. The facts embraced
three questions:
VIII all the men strike? How car
the half million people be maintained
during the strike? Can the bitumin-
ous districts prevent coal from being
diverted to aid the anthracite Oper.
ators? All has been satisfactorily an
swered.
If all the 143 900 men go out, it II
argued by the mine workers officials
that the strike can be won in 80 days
There is, it is said, plenty Of aid il
sight to maintain the strikers and thef
families. The organizers and official
of the bituminous districts have beer
called here and all report fayorably OF
the ability to prevent diversion Of coal
1t requires a majority vote of thu
board to grant permission to strike
No vote has been taken. In event tn
majority of the members of the boar,
vote in favor of a strike, telegram
announcing the decision will be sen
to T. ID. Nichols, of Nanticoke, Pa.
John Fahy. Shamokin, Pa, and Thom
as Duffy, Of Kellyares, Pa, president
Of Districts Nos. ], 9 and Z, respective
", to the effect that the men in thei
districts have BEEN given permission
to strike. The men will then be or
dered out by President Mitchell, VIII
viii Immediately depart for the regio
to take personal supervision OF tn
strike Several members OF the ez
ecutive board will, in all probability
accompany Mr. Mitchell to lend thei
assistance.
A report was circulated here yestei
day that a committee of eastern bus
ness men whose interests are vitality cor
cerned in the outcome of the straine
situation had waited upon the opel
ators of the anthracite region in an e
fort to bring about a wage conferenC
and thus avoid a strike. PresideI
Mitchell, Vice President Lewis an
other officers of the Mine Workers, d
MED any knowledge of such a meetin
and put little credence in the report.