The professional world. (Columbia, Mo.) 1901-192?, 1902-10-10
The STRIKE SITUATION
WILL THE MINERS RETURN TO
WORK ?
The Operators Have Protection-Now
1t Is Up to Them to Fulfill the
Promise Made in That Event
Claims and Counter Claim-Strik-
ers Are Firmer Than Before the
Troops Were Ordered Out.

Wilkesbarre, Pa, Oct. S.-Two prin-
cipal features of the strike which
claimed public attention today were:
Will the miners yield to the desire Of
the president of the United States for
them to return to work and investigate
afterwards, and will the mine operators
be able to carry out their promise to
produce enough coal to relieve the sit
uation If given protection of the full
military power of the state? After most
careful inquiry among the district Off
GERS and the rank and file of the mine
workers it was found the sentiment is
strongly against accepting the presi-
dents proposition in its present form.
AS to the other feature of the situation
as it exists tonight,s opinion is divided,
and will remain so until the real test
comes. The presidents message to
Mitchell became known here this after
noon, and it was earnestly discussed by
striking miners and citizens generally.
1t was positively known 10 those close
to officers of the union that Mitchell
and his district presidents have all
along been opposed to the men return
ing to work without some concessions,
but whether they are still so inclined
with the president appealing to them
cannot be officially stated. 1t is reason
ably certain. however, they are still OPP
posed to such action.
One officer of the union now in the
city, who does o care to be quoted in
the absence of Mitchell, for fear it
would be construed as being official,
said to the Associated Press today:
THE anthracite mine workers of Penn
%sylvania appreciate the efforts being
made by President Roosevelt to end the
strike in the interest of the entire coun-
try, and they have only words of praise
for him. However, they feel that after
suffering everything for the last five
months they consider it unfair for any
one to ask them to return to work with
out a single concession, especially when
the miners see victory almost at hand.
The hard coal diggers of Pennsylvania
have gone into this fight to win, and
they would not be in favor of doing
injury to themselves or to the great
body of organized workmen throughout
the country and other persons who have
and are financially assisting them in
the present struggle. There will be
meetings of locals throughout the coal
regions tomorrow, when action will be
taken in connection with Mitchell's ad-
dress issued last night that will bear
me out"
This is the tenor of remarks of most
of the mine workers in this region. In
connection with this, 500 striking mine
workers OF Prospect, Oakdale and Mid
vale collieries from the Lehigh Valley
Coal company met today and it was an
nounced after the meeting that they
had unanimously decided to remain on
strike until they get some concessions.
Tremendous interest is manifested in
the effect the presence of the National
Guard will have on the strike. There
is a wide difference of opinion as to the
probable effect. Coal company officials
welcome the soldiers and say the pros
poets are bright for a resumption of
mining under protection of the mill.
tary. Strikers received the news in q
matter-of-fact way, and, in line with
comment of their national and district
leaders, say the presence of the soldiers
will have no effect on the strike. The
strikers show a firmer stand than they
did before Governor Stone acted last
night,