Sistersville daily oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1902-1905, 1902-09-08
Anthracite Strike Appears to
Be as Far from Settlement
as at Inauguration.
STRIKE MAY CONTINUE MONTHS
Operators Locked for Break and Ad-
nit They Are Surprised at the Way
the Men Are Holding Out-Extra
Session Prospects.

Philadelphia, Sept. S.-The anthru.
cite mine workers strike enters upon
its eighteenth week today, with the
lines between the operator and the
miner drawn almost as tightly as
whe- the suspension WAS inaugurated,
on May II. There were many fredit
ions that the contest would be over
by the first week in September, but
| If the officials Of the mine workers
union are to be believed, the strus
icle will continue for months, unless
| ne coal companies grant concessions.
Some of the operators looked for
serious break in the ranks Of the mel
weeks ago, and admit they are sur
wised at the way the strikers are
holding out. Rumors are current, and
| in fact statements have been made
| by prominent men, both in and out
nf the coal trade, that the strike will
Ea ended this month. President Mitch
I'll maintains he knows nothing CT 4
possible ending Of the trouble, aEl
says he knows nothing Of any nego'
tiations on foot looking to that end.
Extra Session Talk.
The only move now in contemplation
IS the suggestion that Governor StCnr
rall an extra session Of the legisla
tire for the purpose CT passing a law
Rat would have the effect Of amicably
and speedily ending the deadlock
Governor Stone has given the matter
considerable thought and has an
nounced that if a bill can be framed
hat will have the desired effect he
will Immediately convene the legisla'
ture. Last week more coal left the
legion than in any previous week
.lh"e the strike began. Statements
have Neen made ~ the mining Off.
cials that the shipments for tho last
six working days aggregated 100000
tons. The strikers and their oficials
dispute the claims OF the mining su
perintendents and maintain that most
Of the coal now going to market Is
washed" from the great culm piles,
and the remainder Is the coal tina:
had been blasted before the strike
began, or which fell through the
breaking or rotten timbering during
the idleness. All the fuel that Is
leaving the coal fields is not reaching
the markets. A considerable guam
tity is being taken by the railroads
for their own uses.
! - MAn - VunrL
The number OF men at work
throughout the entire anthracite ter
ritory is difficult to obtain. 1t Is safe
to say. however, the number, con-
pared with the total number OF work
ers estimated at 145,000, Is small, and
among those at work the certificate
miners are few. Coal is being cut 10
some Of the mines, but as far as cap
he learned much Of it Is being done
by bosses" who are experienced
miners. The coal companies say they
have long lists Of names of men who
arc ready to return to work, but are
unwilling to take the chance, because
they fear violence. With the coming
of cooler weather the companies look
for a break, believing that the relief
now coming to the mine workers will
not hold out long and that they will
be compelled to return to prepare foI
the winter, which Is usually rtgor
DIS one in the mountain regions.
Company officials do not look foI
n rapid decline in the price Of coa'
after the strike is over, because the
demand will be greater than the sup
Fly. 1t is estimated that not mora
man Is per cent Of the mines will be
in condition for immediate operation
T-hen the strike is ended.
Met With Little Encouragement
Keystone. ". Va, Sept. S.-Severa!
organizers from the New River and
the Kanawha River coal fields were
acre in the Norfolk and Western dis
t-icts yesterday. addressing crowds
CT miners, pleading with them not tc
return to work today, through sym
pathy. They met with little encour
hgement and it is believed all opera
:i"ns will be resumed along the Nor
folk and Western railway today.
Denies Report of Settlement.
Huntington, Sept S.-Secretary
Treasurer Wilson, Of the United Mine
| Workers. secured several hundred dol