The sun. (Wilmington, Del.) 1897-19??, 1900-09-17
PROGHNSS On STRIKE,
Nearly All Lackawanna Galleries
Shut Down.
OFFERS OF BITUMINOUs COAL
Action of Soft Coal Companies May
Cause Extension of the Trouble.
Miners at ShamoIein Go Out.
situation Mt Other Points.

Scranton, Pa, Sept. 16.-Nearly all the
collieries of the Lackawanna region that
were not closed down Friday began OPP
erations yesterday morning, but before
noon arrived they were one by one fore
ed to suspend until only few of them
were doing anything at all, and these
few were so badly crippled by shortage
of hands that under ordinary circum-
stances the operators would have given
up the attempt to work them. Even the
FIVE coIlieries Of the Hillside Coal and
Iron company at Maytield and Forest
City, which worked full handed and full
time the day before, were thrown idle be-
fore noontime.
The officers of the United Mine Work
ers claim that no one except the exempt
ed engineers fremen, barn bosses and
pump runners will respond to the whis-
ties Monday morning. The operators,
one and all, say they do not know what
the men will do, but are firmly CON
WINGED that majority of their employees
are opposed to striking and that the gen
eral shutting down Of the collieries is
due to the fact that the reckless breaker
and driver boys turned out and prevent
ed the antistrike miners from working.
Believing this, the operators will open
up as usual on Monday and give work of
some kind to any men who put in an APP
pearance.
The Delaware, Lackawanna and West
ern company is determined to at least
keep some of it's 10 collieries going. The
bosses went among the men offering full
protection and special favors to all of its
men of known antistrike prOclvites if
they would report Monday morning. If
there are not men enough on hand to start
up all the collieries, those who do re-
spond will be congregated in few of
the collieries and put to work. How
many promises they received was not
disclosed.
Statement of Superintendent oomis.
Il. e. Loomis. superintendent of the
Delaware company mining department,
says:
1--WE propose to operate our collieries
if such thing is practicable. If there
are not enough men on hand to work
all our mines, we will congregate what
help we have in so many mines as they
can work. The men who report for
work will be given the best places at the
company's disposal, and they will be al
lowed to retain them. Any man who
surrenders n place need have no assur-
ance that he will get it back"
Mr. LOOMS showed the press repre-
sentatives a letter which he received
from large soft coal company Offering
TO furnish bituminous coal for consump-
ton in this region. The letter reads:
I'VE are of the opinion that you are
using anthracite coal for your locomo-
tive supply, and it occurred to us if you
have strike trouble in the anthracite re-
gion you might be in the market for n
good bituminous coal for your locomotive
use and if so would be very glad to sup
ply you.
In the event Of your being able to
send your cars for such coal to our mines
we will make exceptionally low prices in
order to get the additional car supply.
I'VE have large output and could
possibly load any requirements you might
have"
The mine workers officers say that any
soft coal mine furnishing pound Of fuel
10 this region during the strike will be
closed down.
Organizer Dilcher admits that some Of
the washcrics viii he working tomorrow.
bit he is confident of the miners ability
TO close thcm mp in a few days.
Union Offers Deputies.
Mr.. Dilcher offered to Sheriff Proyer.
free Of expense, the services of 25.u0O
sober, reliable adult members of tile I'M
ion to act as deputy sherilts and main-
tain constant guard of the mine prop
critics. The sheriff said he would con
shler the proposition.
The Scranton Wholesale Merchants
association discussed the question of clos
ing down on credit business during the
continuance of the strike. Some men,
hers advised that weekly or biweek!y set
Elements be substituted for the present
system of 30 day settlements. It will be
decided finally today. The Retail Grocers'
association resolved to extend no credit
hereafter.
a miners mass meeting was held in
Laurel Hill park last evening. 1t was
addressed by Organizer Dilcher of the
United Mine Workers and two members
of the national executive committee of
the United Brotherhood of Carpenters
and .loiners, A. G. Cattermull of Chi
cago and L. G. Bolz of Hartford, who
are here to attend the carpenters bien-
NAL national convention, which opens
next week. About 300 attended the
meeting, the threatening weather being
responsible for the comparatively small
attendance.