The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-09-10
MINERS ARE WAITING
WILL STRIKE ONLY WHEN AGREE
MENT ~ REFUSED.
NEGOTIATIONS ARE PENDING
hut THE OPERATORS HAVE MADE
NO CONCESSIONS.

There Are 100000 Men Ready 60
strike when the Orders Are Is-
sued-Niners IA Need of Public
sympathy-strIke VIII he Ordered
a. Demands Are Not Met within "a
Reasonable Time-Union would he
at Great Expense.
indianapolis Ind. Sept. s.-The National
Executive Board of the United Mine
Workers OF America adjourned sine die
to-day without promulgating a formal in
dorsement OF the application OF che min
ers OF the anthracite districts for permis-
sion To strike. Al the close OF the session
President John Mitchell said:
There is practically 30 change in the
situation since last night. II the operators
do not meet our demands within a given
time. the strike will be ordered upon che
Endorsement OF Secretary Wilson and my
self
Whether the time allowed IS ive days
or longer l decline TO say. As set out
In our statemens OF yesterday influences
ore at work 10 bring about settlement
without ordering the men To lay down
their tools. ! must again decline to say
what these influences are. for the reason
chat making this information public would
at once destroy their effectiveness.
III there are any political influences at
work I know nothing OF them aRd l do
not think Il has come TO the knowledge
OF the board members. II would be very
bad policy for the national officers OF the
Mine Workers 90 ask the intcrcession OF
any political parry and this certainly has
not been done. We are simply trying 10 get
for the miners Of our organization and
those not affiliated with MS honest wages.
How the Matter stands.
As soon as he arrived at his Office this
morning President Mitchell sent word TO
the telegraph offices that II any messages
had been received for him during the
night they should be delivered al his Of
fice After waiting a reasonable time FOR
a response the board WAS called to order
No messages came and this IL taken as an
indication that negotiations are stih pend
ing.
Up TO the time the members OF the
board left the Office Of the president
there had been no communication with
the leaders in the anthracite districts.
Summed up. the situation. according 10
the admissions of President Mitchell. IA
this.
Negotiations are undoubtedly on FOO,
for a settlement OF the differences with
out a strike. So long as these are pending
the miners Will not strike. for the rfa-
son that the operators would be iett
loophole 20 escape from the position tney
now occupy by saying the men hao scnn
out az a time when there WAS a cnance
that an amicable settlement might have
been brought about.
Public sympathy Il. an absolute neces-
sitv in 80 far as the miners are concerneo.
A DELAY until Il Is seen that their wages
will not be raised BY the operators with
out a light; that their grievances upon
,he powder question wherein they CON
plain that they are paylng 81 more per
kcE at "piuck-me stores than b. asked in
the open market: that they are not allow
cd a check weighman on che tipple and
must accept the weights OF companies
that exact from them more than 500
pounds for ton. which IL sold on basis
of 2.2t0 pounds 60 the ton. Is bound 10
start sympathetic movement that VIII
reach over the entire length and breadth
OF the country.
~ Affects IOO.00O Men.
Approximately 10000 men are expected
20 80 out n; the bidding Of the executive
who will provide FOR themselves through
q short. sharp decisive fight, but men who
are working a. wages ranging from -
cents 20 si30 per day cannot provide for
a period OF idleness. hence the organizo-
ton Is met with the Arden Of taking care
Of not less than half million OF people
during tho struggle.
Under these circumstances the members
Of the board admit that they must wait
until the last vestige Of hope for a set
tlcment. without inviting a condition that
may result IN the loss OF life. the dsstruc-
ton OF property and the temporary paraly-
els OF innumerable industries. IL exhaust
cd
II has been evident from the first ses-
sion OF the executive hoard that unless
there was a change In the attitude Of
the operators and an inclination 20 az
least recognize the officers OF the Mine
Workers and agree 10 a wage scale con-
ference. a strike would be ndorsed This
same position was maintained through
out the deliberations Of the board and
existed az the time OF adjournment, ana
stil exists. but these men who have been
in session are needed In the various parts
OF the country for the business Of the or
sanization and IN order 90 simplify the
matters the declaration Of a strike is left
In the hands Of President Mitchell ana
Secretary Wilson.