Evening journal., 1902-09-09
DENIES STRIKE
WILL BND soon
Mitchell Has Made No Such
Announcement
Saws That The Operators Cannot
., Break the Strike by Circulating
False RumOTS

Wilkesbarre, Pa. Sept. 9-President
John Mitchell, of the Mine Workers.
yesterday denied several rumors that
have become current, to the effect
that he was making preparations to
call off the strike, which has now en-
tered upon its 18th week.
One report from Tamaqua had it, on
the authority of an official of the Le-
high Coal and Navigation Company,
that President Mitchell was engaged
in preparing a proclamation that
would result In the settlement of the
strike.
"This is absolutely a fabrication
without the slightest foundation said
Mr.. Mitchell. Il am preparing no
statement whatever, and the last one
could possibly prepare urSer the ex-
listing conditions would be One termi-
mating the strike. That is so ridicu-
lous that cannot account for its Gre
dence by any one who is familiar with
the situation.
Il see that a Scranton paper makes
the statement that informed friend
in Scranton that the strike was lost
and would be called off soon.
"To this l reply: never made such
a statement; the strike is not lost;
never intimated that it was, or is. for
to do so would be to say what do
not believe. The ranks of our men are
as solid as on the day the convention
at Hazleton declared for the suspen-
sion of operations. There are no de-
sertions, and, as far as the strikers
are concerned, they are well prepared
TO continue the struggle to a success
full end.
''The coal operators, am willing to
believe, are using every unfair and
false methods TO try to induce discon-
tent among the strikers. They seem
to have the idea that, by constantly
Matching false rumors and circulating
them broadcast over the country
through their paid agents, they can
cause disQuietude among the strikers
Though they are very successful in
getting these rumors into the public
prints, can give assurance that they
will not break the strike by any such
means. We know our own ground
and stand firm"
Strikers Kill a comrade.
Two Italian striking miners named
Frank Portray and Sistino Vancostellc
left their homes in Swoyersville, neal
here, yesterday morning to go on q
hunting trip AS they approached the
Harry e. colliery at Maltby they were
held up by the pickets, who mistool
them for non-union men going to worl
armed. The pickets at once attacked
the Italians. Vancostello was shoi
in the leg and his brains beaten ouf
with stones and clubs. His companion
Portray was knocked down, his gur
taken from him and then his assail
ants beat him with clubs, so that his
life is despaired of. A number OF Goa
and iron policemen were on the scene
a few minutes after the discharge o
the gun was heard Vancostello wal
dead and Portray was unconscious
The dead man was taken to hi
boarding house nearby and his com
panion was brought to the hospita
Vancostello's coat was found a unioI
miners card.
Sheriff Jacobs was much exereisel
over the riots and bloodshed in tn
county, and at one time it was though
he would have to call upon the militii
for aid. Some citizens urged him t
do so without delay, but yesterday al
ternoon order was pretty we'll restoI
ed in the Wyoming region, and if ther
are no further outbreaks the sherii
will not call out the troops.
Shipping Mules to Mines.
Lancaster, Pa, Sept. 9.-Ten ca
loads Of mules from the coal mines
which we're put to pasture in Lancas
ter and Chester counties, yesterda
were shipped from Coatesville t
Wilkesbarre. There are still about 2
carloads in this county, and 1t is UT
derstood that they will be shippe
back to the coal regions this week.
Bryan On Speech-Makinu Tour.