The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-09-21
Statement by BENJAMIN James, Who
II In Charge of Headquarters
During MftcheIPs Absence.
SCALE SIGNED BY ONE MAN
CANNOT OPERATE HIS MINE, HOW
EVER, UNTIL GIVEN PERMISSION.
Little Prospect of Arbitration, De.
spite Efforts of the CIergy-Mi-
nor Disturbances Reported.


sence of President Mitchell from headquar-
ters to-day Benjamin James. who Is next
in charge of the strike in this region, issued
the daily bulletin from the United Mine
Workers headquarters here. 1t follows:
''5:45 p. m.-The reports received at head
quarters to-day have been most gratifying.
Harwood, Coieraine % and the the rv star wasnehy Th
men at these places decided last evening
to strike with their fellow-men. This is
gain for the mine workers.
"At Jeddo, where Mr.. John Markle tried
to influence the men to go to work, they
remained firm, evidently realizing the shall
lowness OF the offers made by their en-
ployers.
Eight hundred more men are on strike
in this district to-day than on any previous
day during the strike.
'The suspension in the Wyoming and
Lacka wanna valleys is now complete, the
only mine which worked the fore part of
the week being closed.
Reports from district No. 9 1.-THE Tower
anthracitel show there have been large
accessions to the strikers ranks, great in
roads having been made on the Philadel-
phia & Reading employees
THE situation over the entire anthracite
field Is such that We have every reason 20
believe that in a few days the suspension
will be general throughout the three dis
tricts. BENJAMIN JAMES,
Member National Executive BOar0, United
Mine Workers of America
There was little activity to-day around
the United Mine Workers headquarters.
from where the coal miners strike is being
directed. Most of the union officials spent
the day IN the outlying towns meeting the
striking men and giving Them instructions.
No overtures have been advanced by either
side and there is at present no indication
that any will be put forth soon. The strike
officials still at work getting the men
out and say they will not cease their activ-
ity in that respect until every operator In
the anthracite region is tied up The oper-
ators. though badly crippled, are to-day
as confident of success as they have here
tofore been.
The production of coal in the Hazleton
region is growing smaller with each sue
ceeding day. One of the best proofs of this
is the report of the superintendent of the
Hazleton division Of the Lehigh Valley
Railroad, which handles the coal from all
but six collieries in this region. This re-
port shows that the shipments have fallen
off to less than two-thirds Of the normal
There is no denying the fact that the in
habitants of this region fear trouble. There
are very few persons who do not believe
there will be an outbreak somewhere in the
region. Most. If not all. of the coal mines
are being protected by extra watchmen.
Rumors are afloat that the sheriffs OF Lu-
zerne. Schuylkill and Carbon counties.
which counties adjoin one another at a
point two miles south of here, are swearing
in deputies by the score. None of these ru-
mors can be confirmed. When the sheriffs
are approached on the subject they say
that there is no trouble and that they are
not looking for any. Certain II is, how
ever, that these officers are keeping a
watchful eye on the situation, and that
they can be quickly found If their presence
| is needed anywhere.
| No. 40 shaft of the Lehigh Valley COM
pany. east of this city, was the center of
numerous petty acts of violence during the
| day. Before o'clock this morning a hand
| full of Hungarian women wanted to whip
three coal and iron policemen for persuad-
| ing breaker boys to work. The police, how
| ever, managed to get out of their diff
| hculties without fight. Shortly after that,
unknown person, but not hit. while on his
| way to the shaft. Later In the day an
Italian was badly clubbed Tonight two
1 of the mine workers. on their way home
| from the shaft, were also attacked and
badly beaten. Aside from these incidents
| quiet prevailed throughout the region The
| striking mine workers say they are doing
their best to prevent disturbances.
| fifteen-year-ol Hungarian boy was
| found dead in bed in Coleraine to-day. The
| doctor says his death is due to heart dis
ease. caused by fright. The doctor added
that the boy had been told that a mob was
marching toward Coleraine, and the shock
| caused his death.
| The Hazleton Ministerial Association
| composed Of all the Protestant clergymen
| of this city, has taken up the strike ques-
| tion and will use all its power in bringing
about a settlement Of the labor differences
| on a basis OF arbitration and Cancellation
/ All are opposed to the strike, and at q
| meeting held this afternoon they decided tc
draw up memorial appealing to both the
strikers and those operators who have no,
| expressed desire to arbitrate TO act fairly
| with each other and restore peaceful CON.
| ultlonS anu commence IN the anthracite
| mining region.
Notwithstanding the announcement made
before the strike began that they would
| not give credit TO the strikers. the business
men of this city are still selling goods tc
the men on. strike on the usual terms
| Superintendent Keith. of the Hazleton di-
| vision of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, said
tonight that he would lay off two coal
| train crews tomorrow. These are the firs,
| railroad men IN this section TO be rendered
D1 said that severa'