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 anthra-
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 inaugnrated.
on May II. There were many f,redic
ions that the contest would be over
by the first week in September, but
II the officials of the mine workers
union are to be believed, the strug
l.le will continue for months, unless
ne coal companies grant concessions.
Some Of the operators looked for
serious break in the ranks of the men
weeks ago, and admit they are sur
lTised 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
Of the coal trade, that the strike will
lie ended this month. President Mitch
I'll maintains he knows nothing CT
possible ending Of the trouble, and
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 Stone
call an extra session of the legisla
ture 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 bill can be framed
that will have the desired effect he
will Immediately convene the legisla.
ture. Last week more coal left the
legion than in any previous week
alh"e the strike began. Statements
have Neen made ~ the mining Off
Gals that the shipments FOR tho last
six working days aggregated 10000
tons. The strikers and their officials
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
J 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.
| Number of Men at Work.
The number OF men at work
throughout the entire anthracite ter.
| ritory Is difficult to obtain. 1t Is safe
| to say, however, the number, com
| pared with the total number Of work
ers estimated at las, 900, is small, ana
among those at work the certificate
miners are few. Coal is being cut In
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 break, believing that the relief
now coming to the mine workers will
MT hold out long and that they will
be compelled to return to prepare for
| the winter, which is usually a rtgor.
0us one in the mountain regions.
Company officials do not look for
a rapid decline in the price OF coal
after the strike is over, because the
demand will be greater than the sup
ply. 1t is estimated that not more
rnan 70 per cent of the mines will be
in condition for immediate operation
T-hen the strike is ended.
Met With Little Encouragement.
| Keystone, w. Va. Sept. 8.-Several
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 TO
return to work today, through sym
pathy. They met with little encour-
| hsement and it is believed all opera
lions 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.