The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-09-10
UNCERTAINTY REIGNS
IN MINING DISTRICT
Mine Workers Hope For Peaceful
Settlement but Preparing to
Go Out II Ordered.

HAZLETON, Pa. Sept. s.--The action OF
the national executive board Of the United
Mine Workers IN session az indianapolis,
IN declining TO declare q strike involving
the miners OF the entire anthracite coal
neics until further efforts at Cancellation
have been made, Is taken among the mine
workers. here az an Indication Of level
headedness on the part OF the leaders, and
they are now confident that the way IL
open for bringing about a settlement
through arbitration. although only few
OF the many operators who would be ar
fected by the strike have agreed thus far
10 that proposition.
The Operators. on the other hand. regard
the posfponement Of the strike as mean
ing that the leaders do not yet consider
the anthracite field strongly enough organ
lied to force them 70 grant demands made
by the recent Hazleton convention. and
unless great change has occurred In their
attitude, they VIII not aroitrate or make
any concessions. regardless OF the decision
Of the national board TO hold off and give
more time for adjustment OF tho trouble.
Patrick Duffy, John Fahey and +. ID.
Nichols. composing the executive board %
the United Mine Workers Of the anthracite
field, did nothing today and they all left
for their homes.
This IL taken TO Indicate that all efforts
for settlement on the part OF the board
have been given up unless the operators
agree within the next twenty-four hours
10 proposition for submitting the miners
grievances TO arbitration. The decision Of
the national board TO defer the declaration
OF the threatened strike has caused both
relief and anxiety in the Hazleton district
The news from Indianapolis last night
mad the effect OF creating a feeling Of re-
lief, but among the business interests
which hive been considerably disturbed
and partly parniyzed during the last week
on the account OF the fear OF a strike
not be removed until decisive action has
been taken either one way or the other.
Coal dealers who made great rush all
day Saturday TO supply their trsie but
n trnn M haf ar
derS. feel more relieved at the unexpected
turn OF events than any other class. and X
strike II declared they will be supplied
with all the coal they can handle
The Mine Workers organizers stationed
here were busy this afternoon addressing
meetings where local unions have been es-
tablished and In organizing new ones, so
as TO be fully prepared for carrying out a
strike order. providing word 10 that effect
Is received within the next few days from
,ndisnagois Meetings Mere held at Har.
Brook. Bulyer Meadow and Cole Train.
Father Phillips. speaking today of the ac-
ton Of the national board yesterday at
.The result IL exceedingly pleasing 10
me. ] believe that the greatest victory
that the workers could have. achieved at
measures "a originally contemplated. 1t
was only during the past week that any
thing definite had been accomplished in
the way Of exciting universal attention to
struggling. Their honor and sincerity
were to an extent placed In question. ow-
Ing to the delay In bringing about the con-
dition.
~ was. myself. Mt first OF the impression
that there was some missing factor essen
tial TO the proper presentation Of the case
in all Its phases My association with the
labor leaders and my relations with the
various coal operators have shown me that
all have been acting In good faith. II re-
quired In my Judgment, the enlistment Of
a neutral influence 10 effect proper u1-
Outstanding on both sides
1t II predicted that the district presi-
dents will remain here TIL tomorrow and
endeavor TO prevail Upon the operators 20
agree TO make some concessions, but. as
this board has left AL possibility OF set
Element has vanished. and strike seems
TO he the only outcome unless the national
board OF indianapolis changes the pro-
gramme tomorrow,
II Is reported that a strike will be or
dered Tuesday night All eyes arc now
turned toward tho west.