The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-12-14

NOR. fully q, to. hi view on ~" subJcG%, Of
Moral Suason'-
The mine workers s'sten,n' declared
that Mr.. Mitchell was opposed 10 violence
and had frequently gone on record as being
80. and that the burning Of the fences was
the work OF irresponsible boys. The latter
explanation, it NAV BE- said. vas pat phrase
of the mine workers throughout tho strike.
The Leader. however, did not change Us
course II stood maniully for good order
and fair treat men', opposed toycottlng
and in,i rdation vigorously and time and
time again called upon Mr. Mitchell 10 take
steps 10 prevent violence.
In retaliation the merchants of the town
who advertised were waited upon by CON-
n i'e.-s of the strikers and asked - withdraw
their advertisements from the Lsdder.
Subscribers were told 70 STOP taking the
paper and every effort was mad" 10
injure IL.
A .omewha, similar boycott Wa declared
against the Scranton Tribune, because IL.
TOO. stood for 'hc same principles a. the
Ledder
Since the strike there has not been much
apparen, boycu,ting and there has been
comparatively it'll" in'irn datiou or inter-
ference with non-union men by the strikers.
This was somewhat 81 surprise u the
operators as they expected a great deal OF
violence All threatening owing 10 the
friction b,tween the union men and the
non-unionis,s az th" mines
They have now learned that while the
spiri, l. no less strong han u was before.
there is a general understanding among the
union mon that action shall ba deferred
until after the com ission mas made IT.,
report Mine slperin'endonts throughout
the region report that uon-union men have
been warned thai while they viii not he
mole.,ed now. after the con m e-ion 'h'y
will have 20 look OUT Tn" operators say
that IL the power Of the union j. sufficien,
10 prevent action now II can prevent it
tor all time
There is still mild boycotting and many
forms Of annovanc" from which the non
union men suffer This Wa brought
strongly 20 ligh, few days ago. when an
engineer named McCNrcheon, employed by
the Delaware and Hudson. unable lon ger 10
endure the treatment he received as a
non-union man, committed suicide.
There are many forms of annoyance
prac,i- agains, which the non-unoii men
And il Impossible 10 take direct action but
they are irritating and wearing, II /,
common practice in the mining towns for
union men and their families 10 refuse 10
sit in the same pew in church with tho
non-unionist-. 10 turn their backs upon
them a. they leave church To walk on the
opposite side of the street and in every
way 10 make their position apparent
Son-union miners find II difficult to get
union laborers. and many who got them in
th,. first DAYS after the resump'icu Of work
To leave. The result Of this Is that in many
cases two union miners have rad to become
miner and laborer and thus unwillinglv
create an extra miners pace for union
man.
They find that the union driver boys,
while carefully avoiding any direct violation
81 tho rules which might cause their dis
missal nevertheless find means to annoy
and harass and discriminate against them
in many ways.
There ar, a few instances Of non-union
mine workers who have been driven out
Of the mines and have been unable To find
work on the surface. contractors and other
employers of union mcn being afraid 10
take them Several Of the coal companies
have received letters complaining OF this,
but find themselves powerle>s.
They endeavor to prevent Interference
, With non-unlon men at the mines and tha
focmen have orders 10 discharge auv
man interfering with ron-union worker,
but there are 20 many petty forms Of an
noyancc that II is impossible Ia cope with
them.
Storekeepers report that they are not
much aTected, although onco in while
hey lose a union customer. who objects
10 non-tnion nsns trading at the store.
When the commission makes its frd-
ing and Is dissolved. II i expected that
there will be trouble, There are some
tlVe or four thousand non-union men
in the mines and more than tha, number
OF union men who want their places. The
operators e,p CT efforts TO drive out the
entire number or force them into the union
and are prepared 10 learn Of many in
stances Of int intimidation Of far more vigor-
Gus character than that now practis ID.