Evening journal., 1900-09-18
Mitchell Rejects Proposal Of
Operator MarkIe
GREATEST STRIKE IN HISTORY
Number Of Men Now Out Exceeds That
Of Any Other Industrial Con-
test in Country

Hazleton, Pa, Sept. 18.-The great
struggle between the anthracite coal
miners of Pennsylvania and their em-
ployers was formally begun yesterday.
Each side is confident of winning, and
neither of the contending forces show
any disposition to yield. With the ex-
ception of a trivial incident at No. 3
colliery of the Lehigh Coal company,
where a gang Of boys compelled a mule
driver to seek cover by throwing stones
at him, the contest thus far has beer
entirely devoid of violence Of any kind.
The exact number of men who struck
cannot at this time be told. as only es-
Inmates of the number Of men who did
not start work were made yesterday.
President Mitchell last night gave out
the following:
Information received up to this time
indicate that $4,000 mine workers are
on strike in the anthracite region. OF
this number $4,000 are in district No.
]. $4,000 in district No. and 10000 in
district No. T. Reports received are
to the effect that large numbers of
those who went to the mines today
will join the suspension. We feel con-
fident that the entire number of men
employed in and about the coal mines
of the anthracite district will be idle
IN the next few days. The number Of
men now out on strike exceeds that Of
any other industrial contest in the his
tory Of our country"
Hazleton presented an animated ap-
pearance. Strikers from all the sur
rounding mining towns came here early
IN the day and gathered in groups on
the street corners and discussed the
situation. 1t was most orderly
crowd. Around strike headquarters at
the Valley hotel there was more OF less
of a crowd of men all day President
Mitchell, who arrived from the west
Sunday night, was kept busy all day
and evening receiving reports.
Mr. Mitchell decided an important
point yesterday in the matter of arbi-
tration. It will be remembered that
last week miners employed by G. B.
Markle & Co. decided not to strike un-
I'll the firm passed upon a set of their
own grievances. which differ somewhat
from those of the United Mine Work
ers. The firm has an agreement with
its men that II any differences fail of
adjustment then the grievances shall
be arbitrated. John Markle, of the
firm. on Sunday agreed to have Arch
bishop Ryan, Of Philadelphia arbitrate
the differences IL the mediators al
ready decided upon by the firm and the
men cannot come to satisfactory
agreement Mr.. Markle gave out an
interview TO newspaper reporters to
this effect. and suggested to the re-
pOrters that they go see what President
Mitchell would have to say to the prop
osition. Mr. Marlkle not caring to be put
on record as recognizing the union.
This was done, and after due delibera-
tion Mr.. Mitchell replied:
81 regard this as a rather unusual
way of conveying the wishes of Mr.
Markle, but I wish to say that we in
tend to ask the men employed by Mr.
Markle to cease work We intend Ia
use all lawful means to induce them Ia
Join the strike. II we succeed at one
place and fail at another the low wages
must be brought up to meet the high
or the higher must come down to meet
the low, so that I am not now and dc
not propose to officially accept or re-
ject for our organization any PROPOSE.
tion for a settlement that is not made
either by the company or by some
other person to whom they will give
authority to act as their represents
tive"
Every mine in the Wyoming valley
with the exception of one, was closed
by the miners strike. The exception
was the colliery operated by the Wesi
End Coal company. at MOcanaQua The
$50 men there refused TO go out, saying
they were satisfied with the present
condition of things. The strikers hope
10 induce these men to quit work in
few days. The hard coal region is di
vided into four great districts. tn,
Lackawanna. Wyoming. Lehigh anl
Schuylkill regions. While I'm the frs
two, representing nearly 10000 men
the tieup is practically complete, il
the Lehigh region the situation is
stand OFF. about 5000 OF the 1900
mine employees having quit work.
Principally because the union ha
comparatively little strength in tn
Schuylkill region and the workmel
there have no decided grievance. as il
other districts. the strike was no
general among the upward of 5000
men employed. Indications, however
point to the closing today Of som
mines in the last named district tha
operated yesterday.
At Scranton IL men. under privat
contractor, were engaged in digging
shaft in the Jersey Central freigh
yards to reach the old workings of tn
abandoned Cork and Bottle" col