The Oskaloosa herald., 1900-09-13
WILL TIE UP MINES.
Great Strike in Anthracite Region
Almost Certain.

indianapolis, Ind, Sept. s.-Under
the constitution Of the United Mine
Workers of America the executive
board must decide before six o'clock
tonight upon the application of the
district embraced in the anthracite re-
gion for permission to strike. Indica-
tons are that before the time limit has
expired messages will have been sent
to the presidents of the three districts
in question announcing that the per-
mission has been granted. Following
these messages will be others ordering
the men out of the mines.
The question of ordering the strike
was not submitted to a vote of the
meeting of the executive board, which
was in session here all day. Express
sions were heard from the members Of
the board as to the advisability of or
dering a strike, and after a day spent
in discussing the situation and hear
ing the views of the board members,
President Mitchell saidE 81 said some
time ago that in my opinion there
would be a big strike. After talking
with my colleagues all day / have no
reason to change my opinion" This
assertion is considered very significant
at this time, and is taken as an assur-
ancethat unless conditions change very
materially before night the big an
thracite strike will be a question of but
a few hours.
Important Questions.
The deliberations Friday were for
the purpose of putting the members of
the board in possession of such facts
as must necessarily enter into their
consideration before a strike can be
ordered. The facts embraced three
questions: viii all the men strike?
How can the half million people be
maintained during the strike, and can
the bituminous districts prevent coal
from being diverted to aid the anthra-
cite operators? All have been salts
factorily answered.
If all the 143, 900 men strike it is ar
gued by mine workers officials that the
strike can be won in 30 days. There is,
it is said, plenty of aid in sight to main
tain the strikers and their families
The organizers and officials of the BIZ
luminous districts have been called
here, and all report f%avorably on the
ability to prevent diversion of coal.
No Vote Yet Taken.
1t requires a majority vote of the
board to grant permission to strike.
No vote has been taken. In event the
majority of the members of the board
vote in favor of a strike kilograms an.
nouncing the decision Will be sent to
L. ID. Nichols, of Nanticoke, Pa; John
Fahy, Shamokin, Pa, and Thomas
Duffy, of Kellyares, Pa, presidents of
Districts Nos. /. 9, and Z, respectively,
to the effect that the men in their dis
tricts have been given permission to
strike. The men will then be ordered
out by President Mitchell, who will
Immediately depart for the region to
take personal supervision of the strike.
Several members of the executive
board will in all probability accom-
pany Mr.. Mitchell to lend their assist
ance.
VIII Take Care of the Men.
"We will certainly issue the order
for a general strike, and the country
may as well be satisfied with this state
ment," said one of the board mem
bers. 1--WE arc little what the oper-
ators have to say as to the impending
distress in the Wyoming or other val
leys. We are running things from In
dianapolis now. The statement that
there will be great distress does not
worry us; we will take care of our
men if they go on strike, and will not
ask the operators for any financial
aid"