Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-06-03
FOR 8-HOUR DAY.
Engineers, Firemen and Pump
men Join the Miners.
Miners Claim That Majority Of the
Men Quit Work.
Operators Say That They Can Keep
Their Pumps Going.

NilkeSbarre, June 1.-The Order Of
the United Mine Workers of America
calling out on strike all engineers fire.
men and pumpmen employed Mt COL
lieries where the S-hour work DIV with
present wages was not granted, went
INTO eject. today, and Il ma jority Of
the men oDeyed the order. Neither side
can claim victory at this time be-
cause the struggle on this phase of the
anthracite coal miners strike has lust
opened. There was only a partial show
ing of strength, today. The real fest If
whether or not the mine pumps shall
be manned will begin, tomorrow. AL
though majority of the men quit work
the companies generally speaking sue
ceeded in keeping their pumps in oner-
alton. The operators feel that at pres
ent they have the advantage. but thev
are not 50 sanguine Of the future. The
exact number of men who ouit. TODAY
cannot be obtained.
National President Mitchell of the
Miners Union gave out a statement in
which he says:
Reports received from every i'm
portant mining community indicate
that where the S-hour day has not
been conceded fully so per cent. of the
firemen. pumpmen and engineers have
ceased work. The number will be ma
terially increased, tomorrow. In some
sections mine foremen have positively
declined to perform the work of en-
Sineers, tiremen and pumpmen. In
some places foremen have manned the
pumps and clerks have also been re-
CURED to perform this labor.
"A perfect army of irresponsible
men have been employed by the coal
companies to act as to coal and iron
policemen. The services of these men
are unconstitutional and their presence
There have been no |
violations, today, by the mine workers |
and | am sanguine there will be no |
overt acts on the part of the strikers"
In explaining the first sentence of |
his statement Mr.. Mitchell said that |
several of the individual operators had |
conceded the demands of the men dur
ing the past 10 days. but that not one |
of the big companies had done so.
on the other hand mining official |
Of one of the largest coal companies
who received accurate information
from the entire coal belt makes this |
"Prosident Mitchells estimate is too |
high. We have received figures from |
all our cOllferies and the general super
ntendents of all other coal companies,
but they are not to be given out, as it |
would not be policy to reveal our weak
spots, or to betray our strongholds as |
far as they relate to the collieries in |
livdually.
Notwithstanding the big desertion |
If men, every colliery in the entire re- !
gion that made the effort was able to |
get up steam and maintain it. We are |
satisfied under the circumstances with |
Inc situation at present and we do not |
are to boast of our future ability to |
keep the mines from flooding The |
have nearly all the men |
hey want for present needs. We look |
for intimidation of our men by the |
but we will go right along and |
protect our employees and property as |
)eSt we can"
Considering the vast number of men
who are idle, the coal field was very |
luict throughout the day.
Committees of the local unions were |
onsy, tonight, canvassing the men who |
'emained at work, today.
The several brotherhoods of railroad |
employees in this locality held a meet !
ng here, today, at which the general |
strike situation was discussed. No ac- |
ion of any kind was taken. The rail- |
roaders are in hearty sympathy with |
The striking miners and it is not I'M
likely that they will give the men sup
port.