Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-07-01
Striking Engineers and Pump.
men Return.
BE NO STRIKE IN IOWA
Is Thought That National Conventions
Action Will Be Felt No Further
West Than ohio-operators Say
Strike Is Broken.

Pittston, Pa, June 30.-All the
striking engineers and pumpmen in
this city, about thirty-five in number,
reported for duty today. A majority
of them were given employment. The
firemen refused to join the movement.
Iowa Men See Mitchell.
/ Chicago, June 30.-Leaders of the coal
miners in Iowa and Illinois, met today
in conference with President Mitchell
of the United Mine Workers. The
subject under discussion is said to be
the national convention to be held in.
Indianapolis July II, when the ques-
ton of ordering the bituminous miners
of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa. Ohio and
Pennsylvania out in sympathetic
strike will be decided.
Will Leave Iowa Out.
Chicago, June 30.-The possibility
iof trouble in the bituminous. coal
| fields of the west will remain in doubt
until the general convention of the
United Mine Workers at Indianapolis
on July II. President John Mitchell
of the miners union arrived in Chica-
go yesterday, but declined to discuss
the possible action of the convention.
From unofficial sources, however, it
was learned that the coal operators
have less fear of violation of their
agreement with the mine workers thar
they have felt for some time. The be-
lief exists that if a strike, of bitumitf-
ious miners1is called it will not extend
beyond Pennsylvania and the Virgin
tias, because those fields are the chief
Ieontributors to the supply of the east.
tern market Ohio may be a sufferer,
because it is far enough east for its
fields to be called upon to contribute
| to the fuel placed on the eastern mar
kets. Railroad rates from any of the
fotherF western fields to the eastern
markets are practically prohibitory.
az Says Strikers Are United.
President Mitchell denied positively
| that there was any likelihood of a
break in the ranks of the strikers. He
said any report that the miners were
likely to return to work in the Scran-
tonladistrict was circulated with the
hope that it would cause some of the
lstrikers to return, to work.
1.-THE men are as determined as
they were the day they struck" he
said, "and there is not the slightest
sign that can be construed to mean
they are weakening The fact that
they have succeeded in tying up the
mines so effectively has strengthened
the organization, and they understand
that they are in control of the situa-
ton.
II cannot say what the convention
OF, miners at Indianapolis is likely to
do or forecast its action in any way.
1t is for the men to say when they
get together
Operators Say Strike is Broken.
Wilkesbarre, Pa, June 3O.-Anthra-
cite operators declare the miners
strike is broken. They declare they
can now get more workers than they
can use; that their mines are in good
shape, and that they are eagerly
awaiting the order of President Baer
to resume work, for it is understood
the individual companies will not try
to resume until the managers OF the
stock companies give the word.
Operators Give Out Statement.
/ The operators authorize the follow
ing statement:
"All signs point to complete break.
up of the strike. The managers and
superintendent of mines~in all parts
of the region are in receipt daily of
many applications for work from
those who left when the strike was
declared, and they now believe they
could readily operate two-thirds OF
their collieries if the men We're af-
fOrlPl DrOOer Orota action
These statements are confirmed by
the men themselves, and, while appli-
cations are not in all cases made di-
rect at the companys Office, they are
being made in sufficient number there
ito afford any one an opportunity of
learning oil the anxiety of the men to
end the strike and get back TO work
under the same conditions as when
Ithey Went on strike. In addition to
{ Continued nm paoa Eiohtl