The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-07
STRIKE OF FREIGHT HANDLERS
FULLY 1900 CHICAGO MEN DECIDE
TO QUIT WORK.
Conference Called on Rock Island
Firemen's Grievances-Strikes in
BaItimore-Other Labor News.

wILKESBARRE, Pa, July 6.-President
Mitchell, of the Miners Union, left here at
noon to-day for New York. He slipped out
of town so Unexpectedly and SO quietly that
only two or three persons around strike
headquarters knew of his departure. AS
he did not announce he was going to New
York, there is an element of mystery about
his journey, but the Associated Press
learned, on trustworthy authority, that he
went to the metropolis for the purpose Of
meeting leaders of other labor organiza-
tions.
The purpose of the meeting is not definite
ly known here, but it is understood to have
a direct bearing on the question Of labor
organizations affiliated with the American
Federation of Labor assisting the Miners
Union financially. 1t is known that some
of these organizations, through their ma
tional officers, have expressed their willing
ness to help the mine workers in this way.
Mr.. Mitchell, while in New York, may meet
the officials of railroad unions or other
organizations that can assist his people by
other than financial means. The miners
president, it is expected, will return here
tomorrow. He has engagement for
Tuesday to address the delegates of dis
trict No. l, which will open it's annual con-
vention at Nanticoke tomorrow morning.
Tomorrow will begin the third month Of
the great strike. There have been many
rumors and opinions published that certain
coal companies would within a few days
attempt to start up one or more coIleries.
The officials of the big companies who are
willing TO talk deny all knowledge of any
attempt of their respective companies to
start work. They say, however, that the
number of men applying for work is grow
ing larger each week. Many of them are
given employment and the names of the
others are placed on the waiting list. The
number of miners among the applicants
who are applying for work is very small,
and so long the miners themselves re-
frain from going to the collieries no coal
can be mined OF the 147, 900 men and boys
employed about the mines approximately
$4,000 are miners. Under the laws of the
| State no company can employ a man to cut
coal unless he has a miners certificate
ence in the anthracite mines. These certi-
| fiicates awarded by examining boards
composed of miners appointed by the coun-
! ty courts. Therefore if 100 600 men and
boys were willing TO return they could not
! lawfully operate collieries unless the str.k-
! ing miners also went to work.
The correspondent of the Associated
/ Press to-day sought the opinion of strikers
! officials to how long they expected the
| strike to last, and those of mining super
/ intendentS to whether the price of coal
| will go uD or down during the coming fall.
! The labor leaders were unanimous in the
/ belief that the strike will still be on on
/ Sept l if the operators make no conces-
| sions. The company officials who were
seen were OF opinion that the price of coal
| during the remainder of this year will not
! go below present figures and may go
/ higher.