New-York tribune., 1901-07-22
FIREMEN'S STRIKE ENDED.
MINE WORKERS REFUSED TO SUPPORT
THEIR ACTION-FIREMENW WANT TO
GET THEIR PLACES BACK.
rpr rELrGnArn TO THE TRIBUNE ]

wilkesbarre, Penn, July 2l-The strike OF the
stationary firemen ended tonight, owing TO the
refusal Of the United Mine Workers to support
them II has been on just six days now, and 1t
VIII be Tuesday or Wednesday before the strfk-
ers get back 10 work Tomorrow morning the
committees which three weeks ago presented
the demands TO the operators will go TO them
and ask for reinstatement of the strikers and
the engineers who have been discharged because
they refused TO take the places Of the strikers
If all are taken back the strike will be ended at
once. but If there is any discrimination the fire.
state that they viii continue on strike until
all taken back.
While there is great rejoicing throughout the
region owing to the ending of the strike, there
is much bitterness among the strikers at the
stand Of the mine workers in the matter. and
they are severely criticised for their unsympa-
fhetic attitude since the strike began and for
their direct opposition declared tonight. The
flreInen, however, realized .that with the United
Mine Workers filling their places there no
hope Of winning the strike, particularly as their
fellow frenlen in the Scranton. Hazleton, Mount
Carmel and Shamokin districts. who are United
Mine Workers. were not enthusiastic over ii and
were going strike only in small numbers
The convention to-day was looked upon as the
turning point in way another in the
strike, for il was the first time the firemen had
v.
present all the striking fremen, numbering over
twelve hundred, and District Presidents Nichols,
Duffy ard Fahey Of the United Mine Workers,
together with The executive board Of each dis
trict- President Nichols, of the mine workers.
first addressed the meeting and defined the po-
stion of the United Mine Workers in the strike,
telling the arenen plainly that his organization
did not approve of II and did not intend TO sup
port It: that believed all firemen closely
H.
United Mine Workers instead of having an or
ganization Of their own.
WHAT FIREMEN ASKED.
The mine workers withdrew until after lively
discussion, the fremen resolved upon three ques
tions to submit them. These questions were
follows:
WIN the United Mine Workers withdEIaw rameDs Al mem
6eTf OF fhsr s @ gIi s ecered Ie o
viii the United Mine Workers try to use their IN,
in their former positions if the strike is decared
wlm the United Mine workers allow the iremen
in Joint conference and present their griev-
time as The United Mine Workers present thelrs7
The answer to the first two was "Yes" and to
the third Yes. If the arennen become members
of the United Mine Workers
The firemen accepted the first two answers
and postponed the consideration OF the third
until the quarterly convention or the orgeniza-
ton in December at Pittston.
Upon receipt of these answers. which it took
the mine workers two hours to give. the fire.
men remained in session two hours more, in
which there was a vigorous discussion and some
harsh denunciations of the position Of the mine
workers. In the end. however. It was admitted
that the position such trying one to the
fremen that they could do nothing except to
give in, on the condition that all the strikers
and those made idle by the strike should be
taken back to work without discrimination All
the committees will the operators tomorrow
and will report their answers to the convention
which is 10 meet here at 8 o'clock tomorrow
night.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF CASE.
The following official statement was issued by
the firernen at 10 O'Clock tonight:
After the officers of the three divisions OF the
United Mine Workers Of America defined the atti-
tude they contemplated assuming toward the nre-
men should their strike continue. thought that
II would be the interests of all concerned 10
bring IL TO q speedy termination. In consequence
thereof, made three propositions TO them. which
men TO pursue all honorable methods to be rein
stated in their former positions. Although the
strike declared off, until after the answers
are received from the employers yet II seems to be
the prevailing opinion that should the answers be
favorable the action of the delegates at Monday
evenings convention will end the strike But should
OF employment owing the strike the end will be
as far off ever. the fremen are determined to
stand BY those who sacrificed their positions before
they would take our places.