Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-06-12
The MINERS STRIKE.
President Mitchell Busy Yester.
day in Receiving Reports.
STRIKERS Wish FOR HEAVY RAINS.


Wilkesbarre, Pa, June 9.-Strike
headquarters of the anthracite coal
miners were very dull yesterday and
presented a deserted appearance.
President Mitchell was busy all Of
yesterday in his Office. Among the
reports sent in to him were several
to the effect that additional engi-
neers had stopped work Saturday
night, and that several fire bosses
who had taken the places of strikers
had also quit. At meeting Of engi-
neers at Pittston 80 engineers who
had not obeyed the strike order de-
cided not to 60 to work to-day. The
few union men who are still at work,
Mr.. Mitchell says, will be out during
this week. Most of the general SUI
perintendents Of the big coal compa-
MES were seen yesterday, but as a
rule they had nothing to say on any
thing bearing on the strike. One SUI
perintendent admitted that good
many companies are scratching
pretty hard for good, competent men
to run their engines and pumps. Any
number of volunteers have come for
ward, but the men desired are not so
plentiful.
The coal companies have been fav-
ored by long spell Of dry weather,
and the strikers are wishing for a
heavy fall of rain. They are Of the
belief that most of the lower levels
of the mines are filling because the
companies are short handed, and that
the pumps cannot keep up with the
water that is draining into the work.
ings. A heavy rain, they say will
send CORRESPONDENCE heavy volume
Of water into the mines which would
overwhelm many pumps.
The house-to-house canvass OF
miners committees, in an endeavoi
to bring out those who have refused
to strike, and also those who have
taken the places of strikers, is still
being vigorously prosecuted. Many
of the men who are still working
complain that their houses are stoned
almost nightly. These assaults are
made usually between nine p. m and
midnight The method is to gather
small body of men and boys and at
signal to send a storm of stones
against the dwellings, breaking win
dow panes and frightening the in
mates.
At Shamokin the homes of Charles
Albert, Robert Thomas and William
Rodin, non-union employees Of the
Mineral Railroad and Mining com
pany, were surrounded by a crowd
OF strikers early yesterday morn
ing and effigies of the trio were
burned on bonfres. Women fur.
nished the effigies.
At their meeting at Freeland yes.
terday afternoon the employees Of
the Delaware, Susquehanna e. Schuyl.
kill railroad unanimously refused to
handle any trains carrying special
officers, deputies or non unionists
The Lehigh Valley trainmen held a |
secret meeting at Hazleton yester-
Gay AFTERNOON and decided that they |
will not handle any coal mined at |
the collieries or any soft coal sent
over the Hazleton division to dis.
place anthracite during the contin.
uation Of the miners strike.
Strike Of West Virginia Miners.
Wheeling, w. Va. June o.-The
strike ordered by the United Mine
Workers of America to take effect |
in West Virginia yesterday was more
complete in some districts than was
expected, and less effective in 9th.
ers. The incomplete reports are con.
ficting, but several thousand more
men went out than was anticipated. |
The strike affects not only the in.
dustries of this state, but also the
railways and river navigation. Many
OF the operators announced yester
day that they will operate their
mines with non-union labor. and the
strikers say that no non-union men
shall enter the mines.