New-York tribune., 1900-10-04
READINGS OFFER REJECTED.
MINERS INSIST ON RECOGNITION OF
THE UNION-THREE MORE COL
LIERIES CLOSED.
IBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.I


Pottsville, Penn. Oct. 3-The strike in the
Schuylkin regions was marked to-day by two
occurrences which showed the solidity of the
United Mine Workers. The first was the rejec-
tion by the miners of the Reading companys
offer Of what is practically arbitration, in addi
tfon 70 a 10 per cent increase of wages, and the
other the tying up of three of its largest
collieries in the west end of the county. Notices
were posted this afternoon, signed by r. c.
Luther. general superintendent of the Reading
ccmpany's collieres, in which he says:
This company makes the following announce
ment TO its mine employees: It will adjust its
rate Of wages to pay fits mine employees on
and after October ]. 1900, net increase Of 10
per cent on the wages heretofore received, and
will take up with its mine employees any griev-
ances which they may have.
The labor leaders say that this is not salts
factory. because the company only offers 10
consider the grievances of its employees with
them alone. IT leaves out the recognition of the
union, and they have advised the men to pay
attention whatever to the notices. They declare
that the Reading company has been selected by
The operators to make this offer to create dis
sensions among the strikers but that it will not
have the desired effect 1t has only resulted in
the labor leaders redoublng their efforts to
ganze the miners. They say that the Readings
men have few grievances; there are no company
stores doctors, they get their wages every
two weeks, they are not charged as much for
powder. and in other respects the lot Of the mine
worker is not as hard in the Schuylkll region
elsewhere that the strike in this district is
largely sympathetic. and therefore the company
well afford to make this offer to the men to
consider their grievances.
Why are not this concession and an increase
Of 10 per cent in the wages of it's employees
made by the Reading company satisfactory to
O ffa &c oil
considerably higher wages than other
panies?" was asked of an organizer of the
United Mine Workers to-day, and he replied:
II the Reading company's men returned to
work the strike would be broken. and before the
end Of the year the wages of all would be just
low as ever. It is NECESSARY for the to
present an unbroken front in order to win. This
is the first time the miners Of the anthracite
region have struck that the big coal companies
did not have their storage yards filed with coal.
With six months supply of coal on hand they
could snap their fingers at the men and bid
them strike and staTve. But now the market is
bare we have the operators at our mercy, and
we intend to bind them t9 an agreement which
shall be in force for one =Year at least.
officials of the Reading company say they do
not intend TO make any offers of a more liberal
nature. In the west end of the county only
native miners. many of whom their homes
and have snug bank accounts are employed by
the company.
NIGHT MARCH OF STRIKERS.
No such scene as was witnessed there late
last night has been reported before in all the
strike. High up in the mountains the blazing
torches of the miners were seen in the valleys
below. The miners marched from place to place
and were joined by many as they proceeded
The consequence is that Brooksde and Good
Spring collieries are idle to-day and not more
than % per cent of the men are at work at Lin
coin Colliery. This practically closes the mines
in that section. One OF the surprises occurred
near Tower City. IT was a sort Of walk around,
in which about fifteen hundred men took part.
The procession was headed by the Johnstown
Band and the Tower City Drum Corps and
started at $50 q. to make the rounds of the
adjacent towns The men in line all carried
lighted mine torches in their hats. and the sight
as viewed from the mountain top never
10 be forgotten. The night was clear and the
r1archers could be seen for miles. The route
was through Johnstown, Reiner City. Donaldson
Reinerton and other smaller towns. They did
not visit Good Spring or Lincoln. The applause
generous all along the route. and great en-
thusiasm prevailed. There no disorder and
the men marched like veterans. Addresses were
made at the different owns by George Henry,
John Elldns and Daniel Thompson. The dis
tanee covered by the marehers about six
miles: and they returned at midnight This
morning Brookside Sood Spring idle
in consequence, and lincoln was good as
closed up.
All the mines in the Panther Creek Valley re-
sumed operations this morning as usual.
meeting was TO have been held at Summit Hill
but the attendance was so small that there was
no speechmaking All is quiet, and there is no
evidence TO show the slightest detection in this
district. This is the only stronghold that re-
mains 20 be carried by the United Mine Work
ANOTHER REGIMENT ORDERED HOME.
Shenandoah. PENN Oct. 3.-General Goblin to-day
ordered another regiment TO return home to-mOr-
row One regiment left the coal fields Monday.
There now remain only regiment, battery Of
artillery and company Of mounted troops.