The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-09-21
THE COAL MINERS STRIKE
More Men Joins the Strikers-Opera-
TOYS Claim the Miners Exaggerate
the Number on Strike-Price or Coal
Raised.

Philadelphia, September Is. The
leader OF the strike says at the end of
the second day that lis. 900 of the 141,-
0VO mine workers in the anthracite coal
fields are idle. No representative o.
the mine operators makes d statement
for heir side of the matter, but indi-
Vidual mine owners dispute the strik-
ers' figures saying there are mora men
at work han the union leaders admit.
The first advance in the price of coal
as a result of the strike was made by
the Philadelphia and Reading Compa-
ny today, % cents per ton being added.
This advance was promptly met by he
local dealers, who increased the price
to consumers so cents a ton.
A cloud appears on the otherwise
peaceful horizon in the shape Of a re-
port from Harrisburg that a bitter feel
ing is developing between the union
men in the Lykens district, located in
h upper end of Dauphin county
and involving about $500 mine workers.
A concession was voluntarily grant
ed the 5000 employees in the Lehig1
Coal and Navigation Company in the
region west of Mauch Chuk, VINO will
hereafter work ten hours a day, with
an increase in earnings. These men
were unorganized and had not pre-
sented any grievances.
True to it's declaration mad before
the strike was ordered. the Philadel-
phia n Reading Company today
brought it's mules to the surface in w
mines ear Shamokin that had been
closed by the strike, and announced
that they were permanently aban-
doned. This action makes 1t necessary
for the miners who formerly worked
in these collieries to seek work e.s--
where.
The action of the 400 or more en-
ployes of the West End Coal Company
at Manaqua, nea WiIkesbarre, in
sticking to their work, standss out
prominently as the busJ feature of an
otherwise idle territory. They say they
ed kindly treatment from their en-
ployers and therefore resist every eff
fort to induce them to strike.
Father Philips, the Catholic priest
who has been an interesting figure in
the strike, both before N after, made
a statement to the pubic tonight pre-
senting an argument in behalf of arbi-
tration and urging both sides to get to-
gether.
HaZelton, Pa, September 1S.-Follow-
ing is the statement issued by Presi-
dent Mitchell on behalf of the striking
mine
"Hazelton, September IS, 5:3 p. m.
Reports received at our office from
districts Nos. 1, Z and 9 of he anthra-
cite coal regions show that there have
been great secessionS TO the ranks of
the strikers today. In district No I
(Hazelton regiOn) not less than 1,500
mine workers who mined yesterday
failed to report for work this morn
ing, thuS increasing the total number
on strike from 10000 to II, 500 today.
In district No. 8 (SchuylkilD ou1
forces have been augmented by 4,500
mine workers in addition to the 3d.
O0O reported yesterday. The situation
IN district 1 Observation-Disclosures
is practically the same as the first day
of the strike. only 200 men remaining
at work. The total number of men idle
11S, 900.
From every section of the anthra-
cite region reports indicate that much
dissatisfaction prevails among those
who have up to this time failed to
participate in the strike and We may
confidently eXpect that the number at
work will grow less with each succeed
ing day until the mines shall be COM
pletely closed.
JOHN MITCHELL"
Philadelphia, Pa, September 18th
Philadelphia and Reading Coal n
Iron Company announced this after
noon that on and after this date, al
| grades of coal are advanced 20 cents
a ton.