Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-22
OPERATORS WILL NOT YIELD
REPRESENTATIVE CONNELL TALKS
ABOUT MINING DIFFICULTIES.
If Strike Does Take Place Authorities
of the State Will Act
Promptly.

Representative .Connell of the Scranton
Pa, congressional district is in the city to-
day. Mr.. Connell is an operator of coal
mines upon an extensive scale in the an
thracte field the scene of the threatened
strike of miners. His mines are among the
largest workings in the Wyoming valley,
and he employs a great many men.
In conversation with a Star reporter to-
day. Mr.. Connell said the operators would
not yield to the demands Of the union upon
the technicalities of recognition involved.
He was satisfied that the operators would
stand firm in resistance to the demands OF
the men upon these points. .
He said that the operators had volun-
tarily continued the increase of wages,
amounting to 10 per cent, given. the men
last fall, and were willing that the scale
should remain in effect another year. The
men had demanded recognition of the union
and dealing with the operators through
the union, which was impossible for the
operators to grant.
The Outcome Uncertain.
Mr.. Connell said the outcome was uncer-
tain. Everyone seemed to want to avert a
strike, and in his opinion, the miners
leaders would be able to get around the
present situation so as to avoid the last
recourse There was no doubt, however,
that whatever the result, It would not in
clude recognition of the union by the
operators
Recent advices of a private nature re-
ceived in this city from the. anthracite field
are in line with the statements made by
Mr.. Connell. Going further. however, they
state that if strike Occurs 1t Is likely to
be serious affair while it lasts. 1t is
said that the state authorities are deter
mined that there shall be no leeway given
this time for repetition OF the violent and
lf.N, %hnf nff tar lnd fIpn OF Ia
last fall, but that the state militia will be
utilized to protect property. to defend such
miners as desire to remain at work and
to prevent the marches" of the striking
miners in efforts to induce mines to close
down.
Plan of the Authorities.
1t is intimated that such a showing Of
force will be made by the authorities as
will discourage disorder. and that the first
overt act will be resisted with severity. It
is said that no one realizes this better than
the friends of the miners, and every effort
is being made to shield them from the dire
results which would follow the actions Of
irresponsible persons involving the inno-
cent and helpless along with the reckless.
For these reasons and for obvious bust
ness reasons every man of, Influence in the
anthracite region is said to be lending his
: aid to the efforts to prevent strike. Some
are working on the men and others appeal
ing to the operators to show more con-
ciliatory spirit. The fact, however, that
the operators voluntarily, before the meet
ing Of the miners convention, renewed the
10 per cent increase is said to have given
them an immense advantage in the situa-
tion and placed them in position where
they could demand some concessions from
the other side in the pending disagree
ments.
The situation is said to be very grave,
however. and no one on the scene can safe
1y predict the outcome