The Oskaloosa herald., 1900-09-20
STRIKE PROSPECTS.
Indications That the Tie-Up Will
Be of Great Magnitude.

Strike OF the mine workers IN the an
thracite coal regions of Pennsylvania,
which President Mitchell, of the Unit
ed Mine Workers of America, has Off
cially ordered to begin this morning,
will be one of considerable magni-
tude seems certain from reports re-
ceiyed from the regions affected. 1t
seems equally certain hat a number
of operators will make an effort to
run their collieries, even though they
may be short-handed, but whether
they will be successful only can be
determined when the breaker whistles
sound the call to work. The opera
tors generally will rave their collier
les in condition to begin operations
and the whistles will blow as usual,
but a large number of employers adj
NIT hat there is but little hope of be-
ing able to start.
Sunday was one of quiet throughout
the entire coal district. The mine
workers were orderly and their lead,
ers were busy addressing meetings to
encourage and enthuse the members
of the union and to win over such OF
the nonunion men as they could.
Many of these latter, although not ia
yoring a strike, will, it is the general
opinion, remain away from the mines
rather than bear the criticism and re-
proaches of their fellow workmen. An
effort is being made to have Archbish-
op Ryan, of Philadelphia, act as arbi-
traitor. Father Phillips, of Hazleton,
who has been laboring hard to effect
a peaceful settlement of the labor
troubles, was in conference at a late
hour with President Mitchell, of the
United Mine Workers, urging him to
delay the strike until Archbishop Ryan
shall have exhausted his efforts.
A Quiet sunday.
Hazleton, Pa, Sept. 17.-With the
exception of President MitchelI's ar
rival, there was little evidence shown
here Sunday that Hazleton was the
storm center of the present coal war
between labor and capital. Nothing
occurred to disturb the serenity of the
Sabbath. Quite a large number of
miners came to town, but soon left
when they found hat there was no
news floating around. With the ex-
ception of the engineers, fremen,
pump runners and repair men no one
was around any of the mines in this
vicinity. Public meetings of miners
were held during the day at Harley,
Ebervale and Freeland, on the north
side, Shepter and Tarwood on the
west side, and at Colerain, south of
here. The largest gathering was that
at FreelandS ~ miles north, where
the union men are not so strong as
the organizers would like to have them.
This meeting was held in the open air
and was addressed by National Com
mitteeman Benjamin James and a
number of other labor leaders well
known in these regions. There were
1000 persons in tn, crowd. When Mr..
James asked all those to raise their
hands who were against a strike not
an arm went up. All the meetings
were held for the purpose of encour
aging the men TO stand firm in the
present conflict and also to strength
en- their union by recruiting new
members.
Depends on the Foreigners.
The foreign speaking miners are in
the majority in the Hazleton district.
and most of them are in favor of a
strike. The English speaking work
men who are in favor of striking arr
not so numerous. 1t seems to those
who are in close touch with the situa-
ton that all depends on the foreign
ers. If they conclude to stay away
from their work the miners will be Sc
crippled that operations will have to
cease, thus forcing idleness upon the
English speaking workmen. The ter
~itory south of Hazleton is well DR.
o1lnized and there is some ap%prehen-
sion here that disturbances might &C.
cur among the foreigners in that To-
"ality. Some of them have made
threats of bodily harm against any.
one who starts work in the morning.
The United Mine Workers officials are
doing their best to prevent any out
breaks.
Fifty Per Cent. VIII Strike.
Shamokin, Pa, Sept. 1.-THE Unit
ed Mine Workers leaders say that
from reports at hand from Dauphin,
Columbia, Schuylkill and -Northum-
berland counties indications pointed
to at least so per cent. of the men,
principally between here and Cen
tralia, going on strike to-day, in
which event the collieries cannot be
operated. Before the close Of the
week the United Mine Workers ex-
pect to have most of the operations in
the district at a standstill. The lead
ers say the operators and coal COM
panies underrate the strength OF the
union. The officials of the Philadel-
phia & Reading Coal and Iron COM
pany in this district announced this
evening that when the colliery wills
ties are blown to-day so per cent.
of the employees will be at the mines.
The officials also stated that If enough
men stayed away from the mine in
sufficient numbers to compel the
Henry Clay shaft to shut down the
mules will be boisted, after which the
colliery will be abandoned. The Unit
ed Mine Workers claim that the com
pany win not permit the shaft TO be
flooded.
Addressed by Gompers.
A mass meeting was held here Sun
day afternoon, which was attended by
between 1000 and 5000 miners. They
were very enthusiastic over speeches
by Samuel Gompers, president Of the