New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-10-11
SOME DOUBT OF SETTL Event
MINERS CONVENTION MAY MAKE DE-
MANDS WHICH OPERATORS
WILL NOT GRANT.

Pottsville, Penn, Oct 10-The fatal clash be-
tween striking mine workers and non-union men
this morning at Oneida Collery in SchuvlIziII
County, and the disposition among some Of the
delegates from this territory to the Scranton
convention not to settle on the basis Of the
terms offered by the operators came as a warn
ing TO the latter to-day that the era of peace
had not yet arrived in the anthracite coal belt
This afternoon some of the veteran abor lead
ers Of this territory expressed the belief that
settlement would not be effected. that the mine
owners have not met their demands. and that the
public should not build too much hope on re-
ports OF an agreement at the Scranton conven-
ton For the first time in the history Of the
hard coal country practically all the miners are
out Heretofore, when the miners of the upper
belt were out the SchuyIkin men were at work
and vice versa The most sanguine of the
Schuylkll leaders believe that four or five DAYS
VIII be consumed in deliberations so many diff
ferent phases of grievances will be presented to
the convention. They declare that the 10 per
cent offer Of the Reading company will not be
accepted unless It guarantees to abolish the
sliding scale for all time. 'Of what value is 10
per cent Of advance?' said a prominent
Reading company miner, 'if the company be
permitted to manipulate the sliding scale to its
own liking? Why they easily could run in the
cheapest grades Of coal. which would give them
back the 10 per cent and more" When an Of
fetal Of the company was seen and asked If the
company would agree to abolish the famous
sliding scale his answer, No" was emphatic.
The Shenandoah delegates have already been
instructed TO vote against the terms offered by
the operators The Mahanoy City members of
the United Mine Workers are almost a unit
against the sliding scale and the ten delegates
Will so TO the Scranton convention instructed
to see that II Is abolished. It is learned that
the delegates were elected week ago in antici-
patton Of the convention. Many of the miners
Of the northern end of SchuylkiN County are
against the proposed settlement and declare
that if the men would hold out longer a more
complete victory would be Won
Fifty breaker boys in working costume paraded
the main streets Of Mahanoy City to-day amid
much enthusiasm. They carried banners bear
ing Inscriptions. Ten per cent is not enough;
We want more and Down with the sliding
scale: it must be abolished" They were every
where applauded. For the present some of the
troops will be kept in the Mahanoy and Shenan-
doah valleys
All the coIiertes Of the Lehigh Coal and Navi-
cation Company in the Panther Creek Valley re-
sumed work this morning, usual The col
Heries reported short handed yesterday are in
the same condition to-day. There have been no
more accessions TO the ranks Of the strikers
and the mine officials think there will be no
further trouble At Tamaqua considerable mis-
slonary work is being done by the strikers. and
they are confident that by the end of the week,
and probably by tomorrow. not a colIierv in
the Panther Creek Valley will be in operation.
All the energies Of the strike leaders are being
concentrated IN this direction, and what inf1u-
ence they may be able TO exert remains 10 be
seen The OFFICIALS of the company san
Sulne that the men will not go out
Willtamstown Colliery, which was the last Of
the big operations to hold out in the Lykeus
Valley district, tied up this morning and
not wheel moved. II was a stubborn fight but
the miners finally decided that there was some
Justice in the appeals Of the leaders that they
lend q helping hand in the great struggle. The
men have no special grievances at this colliery
and were we'll satisfied. About sixteen hundred
men and boys were employed. When they left
the mile not a word spoken. II seemed as
though it was by mutual consent. Everything
Is quiet, and no attempt will be made TO start
up the collery until the strike is declared off.