New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-09-07
DISAPPOINTMENT 4 HOPEFUL SIGN.
coE-k OPERATORS here THINK IT SHOWS
Z RELUCTANCE TO STRIKE.

when the news received IN this city yester-
5av that the crises IN the coal troubles had been
deferred until Saturday. there was general feel
ing Of relief for the postponement Of the day for
q anal decision upon the demands Of the miners
- thought by many to be at least sign of
greet RELUCTANCE 70 strike
while the most part the operators who were
a- 3. this city yesterday would not talk for pub
fcation the strike situation, they made It clear
In remarks which they let fall In casual converse
ton with Tribune reporter that their determine
ton not to agree TO the demands Of the miners
irrevocably fixed, strike or strike. Repre-
sentatives OF such firms T. A. Potts & Co. Coke
Brothers, the Hillside Coal and Iron Company and
officials of the Delaware, Lackawanna and West
eru, Lehigh Valley, Reading and Lehigh and
sWilkesbarre who were seen yesterday, declared
shat IT impossible for the operators to agree
TO any conditions which would tend to increase the
price OF production If the of the anthracite
trade. they said warranted a general advance in
wages. that advance would be made, but a mat
ter Of fact prohts had diminished considerably IN
years owing to the increased cost Of mining
coal from lower depths and the greater cost Of
materials used in mining.
AS TO the other complaints Of the regarding
company stores company doctors" and the
price Of powder the operators refused to say any
thing, apparently regarding these matters in the
"eht Of side issues which the men had introduced
70 s~pport their agitation for higher wages Those
~ .ors who could be induced to speak upon the
prooah1a outcome of the affair did not hesitate to
express their belief that Of the workmen
would be induced to come out by the United Mine
workers organization but that the strike would
not be general OF the 10000 miners IN the Wilkes
barre region the estimate was made by the presi-
dent OF one Of the anthracite railroads that NOT q
nth OF the men would obey the order Of the or
ganization 10 quit work if a strike were decided
upon. And those who went out, it was asserted
by the same authority, would not stay out long
he pointed out that while all the big companies
had their yards well stocked and the operators had
coal enough hand to fill orders for some time
70 come, the workmen's union had comparatively
little money in It's treasury and without assistance
from other unions would be unable to support the
strikers for more than a week or two
II. G. Meeker. Of Meeker & Co. whose Offices
are in the Central Railroad Building said:
It IS difficult yet TO form any idea Of what
developments are likely 10 take place in the situa-
from my men that some OF them likely to 60
out while others are opposed to striking. So far
as can Judge, II is a question now whether the
United Mine Workers organization is strong
enough 10 call out the men. I DO not think there
may occur OF one thing you may be sure-the
men To do would be suicidal for the operators.
J. Rogers Maxwell. president Of the Central Rail-
road Of New-Jersey. said:
II is too early TO talk about strike yet. Things
GO not think the operators will give in.
John Edmonds. general sales agent of the Phil
adelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company,
would not discuss the situation himself. but showed
10 the reporter an interview with c. f Henderson,
general manager Of the company. published IN
Philadelphia
III Henderson seems 10 be quoted literally"
Mr.. Edmonds said. land if So what he says can
be taken TO represent the attitude of our com
pany."
In the interview referred TO Mr.. Henderson said
he did not believe that there would be a general
strike but only local disturbances. The operators
would adhere TO their position and the miners
would refuse TO 90 when the pinch came AS
far as the Philadelphia and Reading company
was concerned. Mr. Henderson said. it feared no
strike at all, and had already made concessions
70 the miners from time time.
Jeremiah Pangburn, jr., secretary of the Coal
Trade Protective Association said that II the
strike extended for more than month a coal
famine would result. The local dealers had a
months supply on hand. A larger supply could
not be kept. because OF the cost of storage
When the strike comes" Mr. Pangburn said
sand further supply is shut off. it is only matter
Of time until we Of coal altogether of
cos1rss the season has much do with the length