The evening times., 1900-09-26
Circulation Statement.
The Coal Strike.


Developments yesterday in the anthra-
cite region of Pennsylvania were import
ant and of character 10 uncover the
policy of the CoaI Trust in its efforts TO
crush the strike The sheriff OF Luzerne
county called for troops to prevent move
nents of miners from one place to an
other 1t appears that, in Pennsylvania
it is unlawful and conspiracy for per
sons on strike to travel over the hlgh-
ways of the State for any distance beyond
that between their novels and the com
peny's store, or the nearest village
Troops on the other hand, are within
their authority in marching anywhere at
any time and in intimidating the mining
population.
The other event of Importance, in con-
neetion with the strike. yesterday, was
the answer of one of the operating con"
cerns-C. B. MarkIe & Co-to the
demands and statement OF grievances OF
their employees. The answer is par -leuiar'
" interesting as it represents the trust po'
sitiau for the present, and its desire ["
test the extent TO which tbs miners will
make concessions on their side. Although
the Markle proposition, apparently. -
without relation TO the views or intentions
of other members of the trust there is IN
ternaI evidence that it is made with their
full privity 1t offers to redress some MI
nor grievances, % leave the price OF pow
der TO arbitration, and definitely refuses to
consider the advance in wages asked by the
zen.
This action on the part OF c. B. Markle
& Co. is so thoroughly in line with the
course whick is understood 10 have been
marked out for the trust by Marcus \.
Hanna and Pierpont Morgan that some
connection between the two almost may
be assumed 1t is reported that Hanna, ac-
companied by ex-Secretary Bliss, Mr., Still
man President Of the Standard Oil bank,
and Senator Scott, of West Virginia all in
f1uential trust men, called upon Mr.. Nor
gan and urged HIM to induce the Coal
Trust 10 remedy small grievances, to re
duce the price of powder, and TO talk
arbitration and higher wages TO The strIk-
ers until after the Presidential eIecSion.
Hanna is said to have declared that the
strike was making thousands of votes for
the Democratic ticket every day, and that
its continuation threatened total defeat to
representative aud agent William McKin-
ley.
The miners of Pennsylvania. ana the
Iaboring element of the entire country.
have been forewarned that the Coal
Trust sooner or later would be likely TO
offer some sort of terms of tentative
nature, with a loophole for escape after
the 9th of Notwithstanding of The
value to the toilers of ''Fenian bonds
good when Ireland's free" It is not ex-
pected nor is there any Indication. that
the strikers Will fall into such a trap.
The offer of the Markles to arbitrate
powder, coupled with refusal to ar
bitFate wages is not likely TO be ac-
cepted. On the contrary, it will prob
ably lead to an immediate suspension of
work at the mines controlled by the
Arm.
Among our dispatches from the scene
of disturbance today we find a statement
that trust operators in the Schuylkill dis
trict, "out of Difference to public senti-
ment," which is favorable to the miners
are considering the propriety OF making
q number of concessions, which viii not
be announced however, until the men
have returned to work, and the miners
are in full operation again. The value of
such suggestions or promises, need not
be discussed They VIII hardly dislodge
the strikers from their just and logical
position, which is that the Coal Trust
must consent to grant arbitrate all the
demands of the miners, including the
wage question, and that whatever settle
rnent may be arrived at shall apply to the
whole anthracite field.
In spite of the Coal Trusts resort te
Pinkertons and State troops, in order te
overawe and coerce the mine workers. the
strike appears to gain strength, as it GER
tainly does sympathy, throughout the coun-
try. Al this time all the signs seem tc
point to its success. The trust has received
a severe setback in the decision of the New
York municipal authorities not to permit
the use of soft coal in the city. If the
anthracite miners are able 10 hold out FOL
few weeks, their oppressors Will be driy-
en- to do them justice and every right
thinking American will feel like celebraJ-
ing the event. It would be an occasion
for national rejoicing were labor to scort
tho first signal victory over the grinding
trusts. in the last months of the last yea
OF the century. Such triumph would fill
the hearts OF the people with hope for th
future