The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-09-13
Many Anthracite Miners
Quit Work Today
Without Waiting Order to
Become Effective.
MONDAY IS THE DAY
When Every Union Man is Ex-
pected to Stop.
Number of Miners Involved is
$4,000.
Number of Miners Involved is
$4,000.
PRESIDENT MITCHELL
viii Take Personal Charge at
HazIetOn.

Indianapolis, Ind, Sept. 13.-At 5:15'
o'clock yesterday afternoon President
Mitchell and Secretary Wilson of the
United Mine Workers of America
affixed their signatures to the document
which will call $4,000 miners of the
Pennsylvania anthracite region from
their work Monday morning and pre-
cipitate one of the most gigantic strikes
in the history of the labor world.
The document was the official in
dorsernent of the request of the an
thracite districts to strike. 1t was con-
sidered by the national executive board
of the Mine Workers last week, and
when the board adjourned all power to
endorse the request for the strike was
left in the hands of the national presi-
dent and secretary. The official order
to strike was sent to the three presi-
dents of the Pennsylvania districts.
The order is a simple recital of the
procedure of the three district bodies
in applying to the national board for
authority to strike and a formal an
nouncement that the application is en-
dorsed and the strike ordered. The order
says:
do not wait for any further notice
to strike, but cease work in a body on
and after Monday, September II, 1900"
The district presidents reported that
Of the $4,000 in the three districts, 134s-
500 would go on strike Monday Presi-
dent Mitchell would not state what
secret influence had been at work to
prevent the strike and which caused the
offered his services voluntarily and that
the matter was confidential.
AS to maintaining the men during the
strike he said:
when men are fighting for justice
and just wages they can subsist on very
little. At any rate it is safe to say
that nobody will starve or want for
necessary clothing. Most of the men
live in company houses, and we must
consider the probability of eviction, but
these things have all been fully con-
sidered and will be met as they present
themselves. At this time it would be
folly for the organization to go into
details as to provision made for feeding
ald clothing the strikers"
President Mitchell will leave for
Hazelton, Pa, to personally conduct the
strike.
STRIKE IS ALREADY ON.
Scranton, Pa, Sept. 13.-The strike of
the anthracite miners of the Laclza-
wanna valley is now practically on for
every mine that is working today is
running short handed. The Dodge and
the Bellevue collieries of the Lacka-
wanna company were entirely shut
down. The Manville worked only a. por-
ton of the day and all through the up
per valley there was almost complete
stoppage excepting that the men obeyed
the order of National Committeeman
DiIcher to clean up their places and re-
move their tools. Tonight every local
union in the region is diracted to meet
in special session and they will without
doubt decide to quit work tomorrow.
Tt is expected that not mine will op-
crate tomorrow anywhere between
Forest City and Schickshinny in this
district and it is said at headquarters
that the same is expected from other
districts. The United Mine Workers
advance. They want the order properly
carried out, but will not restrain the
men from immediate action. They are
assured that on Monday next there will
be a complete response to the strike or
der At the offices of the Laclxawanna
company it was stated today that the
decision to stand together in refusing
the miners demands by the operators
will hold unbroken. The refusal is based
almost wholly upon the claim that the
bituminous interests are behind this
movement. No dealings will be held
with the men who represent such in
terests it was declared by General
Superintendent Loomis.
SHAMOKIN FALLS INTO LINE.
Shamolxin, Pa, Sept. 13.-There was a
great stir among the miners and mine
workers at the different collieries near
this place today, because OF, President
Mitchel1's strike order Those who We're
in favor of obeying the command en-
Enthusiastically applauded his action
while others kept silent. A careful can
yass since last night indicates that
despite the claim of the operators that
enough men will report for work to keep
the collierieS in operation after next
Monday all or nearly all of the opera
tions between Traverton and Mt. Car
mel, employing over $4,000 men and boys
in a district embracing IA miles. with
Shamolxin in the center, will likely be
idle before seven days have elapsed.
John F'ahey, president of the Ninth
u NJ. W. district, said today that in
stead of the executive board holding a
meeting on Friday to act on MitchelIs
order the board will assemble tonight
and adopt an important proclamation
to be issued for the guidance of strikers
during the impending struggle.
COMPLETE TIE UP INDICATED.
Hazelton, Pa, Sept 13-Some of the
Golfers here were short handed today,
but all were in operation. A few men,