Evening journal., 1900-10-04
Demand for Recognition May
PFOlODg Big Strike
MORE TROOPS LEAVE FOR HOME
Skilled Miners Become Scarce and
Many Of Best WOrkmeR Have
Gone 10 Wales

Hazleton, Pa, Oct. Although
most of the big companies have OHered
mine workers 10 per cent net increase
in wages, not a move has yet been
made by any of the strikers towards
& resumption of work The way the
men have thus far stood together with
out showing any weakness In any part
Of the ranks is considered remarkable
by many persons in this region That
break will come sooner or later, how
ever, is believed by many to be GER
tain. 1t is pointed out that as the
strikers funds grow smaller their hope
Will become fainter, and they viii then
readily accept the 10 per cent offered
by the companies. But against this
argument is that OF the labor leaders,
who stOutly maintain, as they did be-
fore the increase was offered, that the
men viii stand fast like so many rocks
against what they term an unsatisfac-
tory concession on the part Of the
operators. Though President Mitchell
and his colleagues say they are SAN
guine Of their ability to keep the al
most general tieup in force until the
operators further recede from their
position, they are not losing an oppor-
tuDity to keep the men from being in
fiuenced into resuming work by ru-
mors OF settlements, agreements, etc.
Yesterday President Mitchell was in
formed of the wide circulation of a
story to the effect that he had reached
an agreement with the presidents Of
the coal mining and coal carrying rail-
roads and after verbally denying the
report he issued a statement to that
effect, saying further:
Il wish TO reiterate what said sew
eral days ago, that there would be no
settlement Of the strike until a con-
ventiOn of the anthracite miners is
held. You are further requested to
continue the strike until such conces-
sions are made by the operators as
will Justify us in calling a general con-
vention"
The injunction in the above address
to the miners "to continue the strike
until such concessions are made by the
operators as will Justify us in calling
a general convention" is regarded as
rather significant and as an indication
that the struggle will not be a short
one, IL the vast number of idle men
can be kept under control by their
leaders. There are, however, those
who believe that some sort of a settle
ment is near at hand, but there is
nothing on the surface upon which a
belief can be based. President Mitch
ell and the members of the national
executive board are credited with
knowing q great deal more about the
intention of the operators than they
care to reveal, and that they are simply
waiting for them to again make a
move.
The question Of relief is now receiv-
ing serious consideration by the Uni
ted Mine Workers officials. Contrary
TO the general impression, the striking
mine workers viii not be given cash in
the way Of relief, but will be provided
by the union with provisions and
clothing for every member of each
family needing assistance It is be-
lieved the plan to be adopted will pro-
vide for the establishment of supply
depots in each mining town, In chargs
OF the local union officials, where the
needy men can be provided for upon
application. The United Mine Work
ers will pay for the supplies. An Of
fetal Of the union said that the bitu-
minOus miners and other organized
labor will send supplies by the car
load for the relief of anthracite min
eis. Inc same Oiuclal SAID the nom
union men on strike will be Just as
we'll taken care of as If they belonged
to the miners organization.
~ conference was held last night by
the officials of the United Mine Work.
ers. which lasted for an hour and q
half At its conclusion President
Mitchell said the meeting was held for
the purpose of canvassing the entire
situation. IL was found. he said, that
only about 1000 mine workers out of
$4,000 were still at work. It was the
opinion of the officials in the confer
once. he said, that all of these will also
have quit in short time Mr.. Mitch
ell also said that of the 5000 non-strik-
ers 2,1OO are in this (Hazleton) region.
and the remainder are at work in tho
Schuylkill district.