New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-09-23
Politics BEHIND S1RIhb?
RrNoRS IN THE MINE REGION THAT
BRYANITEs INsTIGATED TROUBLE.
rsr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.

RYANlTES lNSI1GA1ED IhOCp LAS'
TBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBUNE.l
Wtlkesbarre, Penn. Sept. 22-Many close
students OF conditions in the coal regions say
to-day that the vague rumors of the last rev
weeks have been verified by the shooting at
Shenandoah Since the day the strike was hrst
threatened there has been undercurrent or
talk that big political motives behind it,
Every operator and every newspaper man has
been striving to get at something tangible In
connection with II, without success. 1t came
from dozen directions. but nothing definite
could be obtained which might lead to the
source Two weeks ago the rumor took shape
slowly in the yelled statement that II the strihe
had not been instigated by Democratic pom
ticians the agttators who focked to this region
from the soft coal districts quietly en-
deavoring to stir up sufficient excitement ana
bitterness to riot in the nope 'haC
there would be another Lattimer or homestead
which would have a marked effect on NatlohaI
politics The facts that slight gains by the
Democrats might carry certain doubtful states
for Bryan, and that a conflict between the
strikers and the authorities, with the conse-
quent shooting and calling out Of troops might
materially affect a big labor vote and divert
il to the Democrats. were not underestimateo
by those who knew the situation, and when the
marching Of strikers from mine to mine began
predictions were made by prominent men in
touch with the conditions that the ignorant and
easily excited Hungarians. Slavs and Italians
were being aroused to the point desired by the
politicians. What is in the peoples mind was
spoken this evening by of the leading Re
publican politicians of the State and candidate
for office He said
OF course. there is politics in this strike fever
and rioting 1t is just such things as the shoot
ing at Shenandoah which change the TIDE OF
politics. Homestead made a Democratic tresi-
dent. and this may do the same. 1t may.
hope not, hut it may have been planned for TINS
very purpose. AS has been said. II Is deplof-
able thing to charge against any one but it Is
being said here often, and there are many who
believe IL.
STRIKERS REGRET SHOOTING.
The news Of the shooting received by the
strikers here with much sorrow. They regret 1t
deeply because it hurts their cause in the eyes
of the public. and they say the provocaton was
not sufficient warrant it. member OF the
Press Committee for the local unions OF this
district said THE Sheriff went out with muir
der in his heart He meant TO shoot ana 10
kill" This rabid utterance is not indorsed by
most OF the miners who say they have not yet
heard the facts Of the case. but the calling
out of the troops they believe was an unneces-
sary measure. The operators say that the Shen-
andoah tragedy has broken the back OF the
strike, and that while more men are idle To-Day
than at any other time since the strike began,
It is because the companies shut down the col
leres in order avoid trouble, as the strikers,
angered by the occurrences OF yesterday, would
be readily excited. They look for 1t TO have the
same effect as the Lattimer shooting where,
after the first excitement had subsidized and the
troops had restored order, all the men VINO
wanted to work and had been on strike through
fear of their fellows returned to work and grad
ualy the strike broken. In the present
strike they say many of the men now out would
| work if assured protection.
TROOPS READY FOR A CALL.
The 9th Regiment. of this city, Colonel c. B.
! Dougherty commanding. received orders to be
in readiness to respond at once to call, and all
ARRANGEMENTS have been made TO that end.
! Colonel Dougherty and his staff. after being up
! all night completed the details FOR calling out
| the men this morning. Every man IS now reduy'
| and the regiment could be modified in an hour
! A private signal viii be given if the men are
/ called out that the strikers VIII not ne
! aroused. In fact, many of the soldiers are
| strikers. but their officers say they VIII opey
| the call IL It comes and do their duty.
The coal companies here are taking care OF
themselves. and while there has been no out
| break they are ready to protect their proper
ties over six hundred special policemen have
been sworn in in the last two days, and they
are distributed as follows Pennsylvania Coal
| Company, 105; Lehgh and Wilkesbarre, 30; Del
aware. Lackawanna and Western. 100; Lehigh
| Valley, 10: Parrish Coal Company, 90 Delaware
ana aU CoeI C iD % few have been
sworn in by the smaller companies
The apparent victory of the strikers at the
West End mine at MoCanaqua did not material
ize this morning for of the two hundred men
who strike yesterday all but thirty
returned work this morning and the colliery
was in operation nearly full handed. This
change is due to a feature of the situation
which the operators have made prominent by
repeated assertions. It is that they all
ready to receive committees OF their men.
hear and discuss their grievances and treat
with them. but will not recognize the union.
Two committees representing two classes of his
workmen called on Mr.. Conyngham. They de-
1nanded an increase in wages and powder at
81 30 a keg, practically the demands as
were made by the union Mr.. Conyngham re-
piled that he could not grant them; that the
condition of the trade did not warrant an in
crease in wages. and If they refused to work
until an increase granted he would close
his colliery.