Omaha daily bee., 1902-10-06
ILLINOIS MINERS WILL HELP
Their District President Says They
stand Ready to Go Into Their
own Pockets.

WILkESBARRE, Pa, Oct. 1.-THE Wash
ington conference between President Roose-
Welt, the coal operators and the repre-
sentatives of the anthracite coal mine
workers having been without result, the
strike leaders are now engaged In tighten
ing up their lines and preparing them
selves to combat any movement by the
operators to break the ranks OF the strikers.
The first step in this direction was taken
today, when w. r. Russell, president Of
District No. ~ Of the miners union, which
comprises the entire state Of Illinois, came
here by direction Of President Mitchell for
the purpose OF discussing relief measures.
Mr.. Russell had a conference lasting sew
eral hours with his chief, and at it's con,
clusion 1t was announced that steps would
Immediately be taken to carry out a plan
by which the relief fund from Illinois, at
least, will be increased. What the plan lie.
both Mr.. Mitchell and Mr.. Russell de-
clined to say. Mr.. Russell said II it were
necessary to do so, the Illinois miners
stand ready to increase the assessment.
He said they are taking a great interest
In the struggle and will go deep into
their own pockets to help the Pennsylvania
workers.
President Russell also said the soft coal
operators are also in sympathy VITA the
strikers In this state. He also said these
operators believed the union was a good
thing for the men and employers, because
since the organization was recognized in
the western country conditions have con-
siderably improved. While the Illinois
district president did not say so, he init,
mated in his conversation that some of the
coal operators in the west have shown
their sympathy for the hard coal miners
in a substantial way. When he was asked
the direct question he declined to say any,
thing about 1t.
now contributing to the Pennsylvania
strikers 10 cents on every ton Of coal
mined by them. The boys employed in
that state, too, are giving up 10 cents a
day. In addition TO this tax, the Illinois
miners are paying 1 cent per ton into
| their own general defense fund.
Walter f. Weyle, who has done consid-
| cradle work for Carroll D. Wright, United
States commissioned of labor. in the an
thraoite fields, spent about three hours
with President Mitchell this afternoon.
Mr.. Weyle, being so closely Identified with
Mr.. Wright. II was surmised by the corps
| OF newspaper correspondents here that he
may have carried some messages to Mr..
Mitchell from Washington, but both gen
! tlemen denied that the visit had any sig,
nihcance. Mr.. Mitchell said the visit was
purely a social one. During the afternoon
Mr.. Mitchell received about a half-doEen
kilograms.
The beginning Of the sixth month OF the
strike shows no material change in the
situation. The operators told President
Roosevelt on Friday that 1000 men are at
work and that is per cent Of the normal
coal production is being mined. President
Mitchell then denied that such a number
of men are mining coal. He said the
operators are including In the 1900 all
the engineers, hremen and pump runners
(of whom there are about 10000, fire bosses.
foremen. carpenters, clerks and all other
employees. He also denied that Is per cent
OF the production Is being sent to market
and said II the statement were true the
operators owe it 70 the public to sell the
coal at the normal prices instead Of eharg-
ing dealers SIS to $50 a ton"
May Attempt to Resume.
While the superintendents heresbouts
will not talk OF future plans, there lie an
impression among citizens generally that
an effort will be made THE week by coal
companies to resume operations. The Of
heiais Of these companies have all along
maintained that men are ready to return
to work, but fear peronal violence. Mr..
Mitchell says be has no apprehension OF
the strikers breaking away. He claims the
companies are keeping q constant pressure
on the workers to return, but without sue
cess.
At Drifton, he said. the coal company
o~fhcials had made a canvass OF that com
munity and found only one boy, the sol
Of a nonuuion man. who was willing to re-
turn. Mr.. Mitchell said he received tbiI
report from there today.
National Board Member John FallOn o