New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-10-20
SETTLEMENT HANGS FIRE.
COAL MINERS ANXIOUS TO RETURN TO
WORK.
DELAY IN ORDERING THE STRIKE OFF
CAUSES GREAT DISSATISFACTION
DISPUTE OVER POWDER NOT
YET ADJUSTED.
IBr TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUxE.l
YET ADJUSTED.

tBT TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBCNEI
Wilkesbarre Penn. Oct. 19.-Great dssatis-
faction was manifested by the striking miners
here to-day. Many of them had their tools
sharpened yesterday and made other arrange
Snents for returning to work and they were bit
terly disappointed at the delay over the powder
question All day there were disconsolate ana
sullen groups on the streets talking of the pros
poets and the feeling of discomfort evident
Many Of the men declared they wouldn't MIND
it II the union was giving them any money or
supplies, but it has done nothing for them, ana
with the cold weather Of the last few days the
sufferings Of those who are In need have in
creased. Last Wednesday was the date fixed
by President Mitchell for the distribution of
supplies but none Of the local unions have
heard word regarding 1t. It is limited by
many and affirmed by some that unless the
union gives them help soon they will go back
TO work, because they must either work or
starve.
According to all reports, the offer Of the oper-
ators as posted on October was satisfactory
in all parts of the region, and the miners con-
ventI-on Of last Friday and Saturday accepted
81, but added the conditions of a promise to
keen the 10 per cent in force until April /, and
70 abolish the sliding scale. 1t was felt that If
the operators agreed to these terms the strike
would end and most of them have done so.
There is just this about IT," said official
Of one of the coal carrying companies to-day.
The operators have granted the mems request
10 reduce powder TO 81 90 and have offered
them an Increase of 10 per cent on their net
earnings before the strike occurred. We have
promised to continue ii until next April, and
indefinitely thereafter If they refuse to accept
it il is altogether probable they will get moth
ing"
The men declare the powder question is a
oOlip cd
They make it so. We offer them increase
of 10 per cent 1t IS the same whether powder
IS 81 30 or remains at 81 75. because it is based
on their net earnings. Whichever way they
figure it, it is the same Where they got 81 be-
fore the strike they viii get 81 10 now
A third official, whose company has made no
offer said:
We do not intend to take any action. Why
are determined to keep the strike on They are
continually hedging in order to do this. 1t
may be politics; it may be part of plan for a
general strike; perhaps it is scheme to give
the soft coal men more work, they may hope
10 compel the operators to grant more 1t is
one of these, possibly two Of them. In the end
they will get less than has now been offered.
The operators are unanimously Of the opinion
that it will be impossible to grant the 10 per
cent increase and powder at 81 30 in addition
This would mean an increase of from 16 to 20
per cent and is preposterous, they say Such
an arrangement even If made. would lead to
more trouble for the other classes of workmen
would feel sighted in getting only 10 per cent
while the miners, who comprise hardly one-htth
of the working force at colliery, get nearly
twice much. brofLErg
Business men who. are impartial and who
have made close study Of the conditions say
there is sure to be a split If the strike leaders
insist on refusing the offer, because the men
in the Shamokin and 'Schuylkill districts get
their powder for 81 so ana vfl have the sliding
scale abolished. Reports from those districts
are that the men are satisfied, and are willing to
return TO work at any time.
The Lehigh Valley and few other coal COM
panies in the Wyoming Valley posted notices at
their colieries this morning inviting their en-
ployes to return to work Few Of the strikers
went near the collieres TO read the notices, the
newspapers furnishing all the information de-
sired and none applied for work
Scranton, Penn, Oct. 10 (SpecaD.-The strike
situation here was unchanged to-day. None Of
the men returned TO work, and according to
their own statements they will stay out until
their demands are fully met. 1t is alleged that
the operators IN pursuance of a plan agreed
upon at Philadelphia, are trying to induce the
men to resume work. asserting that their funds
are exhausted The Philadelphia and Reading s
offer is considered by the strikers as a move TO
cause dissension in their ranks but they say
they are too well organized 10 return TO work
without orders from President Mitchell.