New-York tribune., 1900-09-14
THE BIG COAL STRIKE.
OFFICERS OF MINE WORKERS ENCoUR-
AGED BY REPORTS RECEIVED
MITCHELL AND WILSON
ISSUE AN ADDRESS.
ISSUE AN ADDRESS.
fpr TELEGRAPH TO THE rRrBUNE.i

night that all advices received are of the most
encoura ging character They say that the con-
ditons there since the strike order was re-
ceived bear out their predictions that the men
were anxious to quit work, and they have no
doubt that all of the anthracite mines will be
closed by Monday. While the order did not for
bid the quitting of work earlier, such action was
not prohibited, and the kilograms received to-
day say that in many cases the miners have
already abandoned work, and that a complete
tie up is certain
Notwithstanding the hearty response that Is
thus claimed to have followed the strike order
the chief officers of the Mine Workers expect a
long struggle, and preparing for it, Presi-
dent Mitchell will start from here Saturday
evening for the anthracite field, and will take
personal charge of the strike. travelling from
place to place and making speeches of encour-
agement to the strikers. and if any refuse to
join in the struggle against the mine operators,
appealing to such to stand by their fellow work
men. Frederick Bileher and other members of
the Board will also be in the anthracite field,
and it is expected that all the members of the
Executive Board will be called there If the
| exigencies of the situation demand conference.
PRESIDENT MITCHELL IN CHARGE.
For the present, however President Mitchell
will he in charge, and is expected to prosecute
the strike with all the vigor of which he is capa-
BILE. Speaking of the situation tonight he said:
sufficient time has not elapsed since the
strike order issued for the reception of tele
grams giving the details of the situation, but
while the adviees received to-day are general,
they confirm our estimate of the situation in
the anthracite field. and we have found nothing
whatever to induce diseouFa cement. 1t is my
purpose to take personal direction of the strike,
and expect to travel over the several districts
and do all in my power to bring 1t to a sue
cessful termination
We believe that the sympathy of the Amer-
mill ha and will 1Ilt
mately compel those who have oppressed the
anthracite miners to redress the long standing
grievances and do substantial justice to the
men who have served them so faithfully and so
long under such disheartenng conditions I
notice in a statement from President Oliphant,
of the Delaware and Hudson Railway, that al
ready the mine owners are entering upon their
old time tactics. President oliphant says that
the telegram asking for arbitration was not re-
ceived more than one hour before the strike
order was issued.
As matter of fact the telegram was sent
out at noon, and arranged to have it fol-
lowed up and received notice here of it's prompt
delivery and the strike order was not issued
until $50 p m. We intend to have certified
copies of the telegram together with afidavits
as TO the time Of delivery made and show the
falsity of the statement that the strike order
was issued before our application for arbitra-
| tion could he reconsidered
He added that he had information that $4,000
men III District No l and 44,5OO in District No
8 will strike at once and $4,000 in District No.
! I will strike before Monday
STATEMENT OF STRIKE CAUSE.
| In order to place before the public the condi-
/ tfons existing in the anthracite fields of Penn
! sylvah4a President Mitchell and Secretary
! Treasurer Wilson Of the United Mine Workers
! of America, issued to-day the public the fol-
| lowing statement, giving in detail the causes
that have led up to the strike:
The members of the National Executive Board of
! the United Mine Workers of America, realizing
That the material welfare of a large number Of
! 2b9 prolonged Suspension Of work in the coal
fields Of Pennsylvania, knowing the irresistible
! ing A profound respect for the opinions of their
ment for the information of the public No one
/ can have greater appreciation of the far reach
ing effect of strike of the anthracite coal miners
/ The coal miners and their families, the coal com
% p fpa II te Vasl wnoSe dnieresIs are
trade that conflict of such magnitude will affect
The domestic fuel supply of the West the great
manufacturing industries Of the East the whole
| sale and retail business establishments, the great
terests, aboring men and capitalists win al be af
world may know that We have done ali that honor
able men can do 10 avoid the conflict we herewith
The average wages of the anthracite miner for
many years r6S has be been less tn than $50 a 9nnuay Dur W
necessaries Of life has been increased over 20 per
cent. An Increase in the cost of living. without a
corresponding increase of wages, is equivalent TO a
The laws of the State of Pennsylvania make 2ioC
pounds ton of anthracite coal yet anthracite
pounds for ton and in addition to that are dockeG
exorbitant amounts. often reaching u per cent
may be sent out With their coal Where they are
@ nisR we'll rounded heap on the car at the break
ers as was originally agreed to, they have gradu
in each car by building the same perPendeularlS
from six to eighteen inches above the edge.
BURDENS ON THE MINERS
in mining from their employers, paying 81 Is
keg for a grade of powder that can be purchase
elsewhere for 81 80 a keg and which WHOLESALERS 70
They are required by many of the companies t
ment. They must pay to the company 81 mont
for doctor 6c m hy gb6 neGd 6 hm or b
The smallness of their earnings together with tn
their children from school before they have reache
the age prescribed by law and place them at wor
HaTReon lh rRe When any miner feeling the burdo
of these conditions, has gone TO the management
if he does not like it he can quit.
5 When they have organized at any collery an
have sent committees to the management askin
to have their grievances remedied the committe
has either been discharged or they have been toI
e competition from other companies When the repre-
met and asked the coal companies to meet ther
in joint convention to arrange wages and condition
upon equitable basis so that each would kno
what his competitor paying and no advantag
could be taken of any one their petition for cor
ference has been completely ignored.
= When the business men. clergymeu and other ou
side Influences have appealed to the coal companit
O requests have been denied and when. "a last r.
sort the officers OF our organization have wired III
; control the anthracite coalfieds offering subm
}, | has been ted with silent contempt,
!. Having exhausted al Other means of adjus
d either advise the miners Of the anthracite regio
10 continue working under these unjust and tyrai
chosen the latter, and having done so, We invite
thorough, impartial and public Investigation of 4