Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1901-03-25
STRIKE CLOUDS
PASSING AWAY
Bright Prospect Of Amic-
able Adjustment.
Believed That the Miners
Officials and Anthracite
Magnates viii Soon Ar
rive at an Understanding.


The dark clouds which have for the
past few weeks been lowering over the
anthracite coal field, and by their pres
snce have caused an uneasiness that has
penetrated every avenue OF business
and trade, are now, from reports which
can be considered authentic, almost
ready to pass away.
From reliable sources it Is learned
that the silence maintained by tho an
thracite coal magnates has been broken,
and that tho officials OF the United Mine
Workers and the representatives of the
mining industry will soon, II they are
not already together, meet in confer
ence to discuss the questions OF right
and equity which were raised by the
recent convention at Hazleton.
During the past forty-eight hours the
sponsors Of the capital and labor inter
ested in the anthracite coal business
paved the way for better understand
ing on both sides, and, while the work
done is not yet in shape to present in
full to the public at large, it is no viola
tion OF con nfidence to state that President
Mitchell and the three district presidents
have succeeded in obtaining assurances
from some OF the leading people on the
side of capital that the miners claims,
as set forth in the resolutions adopted In
convention, are entitled to considers tion,
and that time and place have been set
to give the union officials an opportunity
to present these claims before represen-
tatives OF the operators.
The officers and members Of the
union have steadily claimed that all that
is necessary to convince their employers
of the justice OF their claims, especially
their demand for uniform wage scale,
is an opportunity to meet the operators
in conference. That the miners will be
able to substantate with abundant
proofs the position they have taken is
not doubted by themselves or their
friends
Nevertheless, knowing that they have
willy and crafty opposition to deal
with, the United Mine Workers are not
neglecting preparations to be ready to
make a determined stand for their
rights, should the conference to be held
fail to bring about such settlement
as every resident Of the coal region
hopes for. The men are opposed to
striking, and will do every thing consist
ent with dignity and honor to avoid
such struggle, but If the contest comes.
to point where the choice must be
made between striking or surrendering
their claims, the strike will be called
and willingly obeyed.
President Mitchell and District PresI-
dents Fahey, of Pottsville; Duffy, Of
McAdoo, and Nichols. OF Nanticoke,
arrived in New York city from Scranton
on Saturday. They established head
quarters at the Ashland House, and
their program for today includes meet
ing with j. Pierpont Morgan at the
latter's office. At this meeting an agree
ment will be reached for or against the
holding Of future session.
PRIEST OPPOSES STRIKE.
Rev. j. j. Curran, president OF the
Scranton Catholic Temperance Union
and pastor of large congregation at
Wllkesbarre, took strong ground yester-
day against a miners strike. His con-
gregation is composed almost entirely Of
miners. In his address to his parish
toner's he said the miners had not vet
recovered from the last strike, and it
would be almost suicidal to engage in
another strike so soon.