The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-13
COAL STRIKE DECLARED
The Anthracite Miners Ordered Out
by President Mitchell.
The Men Directed to Quit Work on
Monday, September 1.-THE Leaders
Confident That Strong Response
VIII BE Mnde-Hope for Public
Sympnthy-FinnI Appeal Ignored.

|
INDIANAPOLIS. Sept. 1.-THE United
Mine Workers Of America have decided the
question of a strike in the anthracite coal
regions in the affirmative and formal or
der has been telegraphed to the local OFF,
GERS in the anthracite fields directing a
suspension c. work on Monday, September
II. Preside Mitchell and the officers in
| charge believe that the response to the
order will be generous and that over 1OO,-
600 men will be idle on Monday, thus in
augurating one of the greatest struggles
that ever took place between labor and
, saaital.
The feeling is strong at the nstional
headquarters that the public will even
tually come to the relief of the strikers
and that public opinion will bring about a
settlement. When President Mitchell
reached his Office today he found large
nun ber OF kilograms from the officers in
the anthracite fields awaiting him. The
messages brought no encouragement of
settling the differences amicably, but on
prospect whatever of the mine operators
recognizing the Mine Workers organiza-
tion or the right Of anybody to treat with
them in behalf of the employees. Nearly
al the kilograms urged immediate action
and said that the miners were anxious for
the crisis to come, as they were tired of
the existing uncertainty. With a view to
Inc . h.
Mitchell sent telegram to the op. cators
in the anthracite regions as folloSs:
Pending a strike as imminent in
the anthracite coal fields of Pennsyl-
vania, If 1t comes it will have an in
furious effect not only upon the coal
regions, but upon ell communities
where anthracite coal is sold, t.xns-
oorted. or used. The public is, there
fore. intereyted in the result As the
company of which you are president
controls mines in the anthracite re-
gion, we, the authorized representa-
tives of the anthracite miners in
order to promote the public welfare
and avert strike, propose to you and
the other coal operators there that the
whole question of wages and of condi-
tions in the anthracite coal fields be
submitted to arbitration. An inme-
date reply signifying your acceptance
or rejection of this proposition is re-
quested. JOHN MITCHELL,
President.
Nv. B. WILSON,
Secretary Treasurer
While waiting for an answer the strike
order was dictated TO a stenographer. but
was ordered held till a sufficient time
would elapse for the operators to reply to
the request for an answer. The day wore
away without any word coming from the
operators and late this evening the formal
order to the miners to strike was tele-
graphed the officers in the anthracite
field.
1t reviewed the situation saying the
strike had been postponed in order to give
outside Influences that were being brought
TO bear upon the coal companies to bring
about a satisfactory settlement to bear
fruit.
These influences failed of their purpose
and negotiations are therefore at an end.
All the miners and mine workers of the
anthracite coal region, whether members
of the United Mine Workers of America
or not. are therefore instructed to cease
work on and after Monday, September II,
and remain away from the various collier
les. strippings, and breakers until the de-
mands Of the Hazleton convention have
been acceded to by the coal operators. The
order adds:
BE law-shiding. self-respecting Do
not allow any person, whose interest
may be opposs to- yours, to pro-
woke you into quarrels and vio-
lations of the peace. That is one
of the most common methods used
by large employers to defeat our cause
With thoroughly aroused public senti-
ment behind US. a cause the justice of
which cannot be successfully question
ed. and the mine workers united and
determined to stand until their many
wrongs have been righted, we have a
supreme faith in the ultimate success
of our cause. Do not wait for any fur
ther notice to strike, but cease work
in body on and after Monday, Sep
tember II 1900.
BY order of the national executive
board. JOHN MITCHELL.
president;
Wv. B. WILSON.
Secretary Treasurer,