The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-06-16
MEANS DISASTER.
Nearly 100 Fire Bosses in the
Lackawanna Region
Refuse to Make the Usual In
spectiOn of the Mines.
DANGER OF EXPLOSION
Makes Service of COmpetentMen
Especially Necessary.
In West Virginia Strikers Are
Returning to Work.

Scranton, Pa, June 16.-Nearlv 100
fire bosses in the mines in the Lacka-
wanna region refused to make the usual
inspections today in compliance with an
order from strikers headquarters ask
ing them to quit and thus assist the
strikers in winning their fight This IS
claimed to be more than half the force
OF these Worknen in this region ana the
result cannot be otherwise than disaS-
trous to the mining property, for with
the accumulation of gas, pump runners
cannot keep at work There are also
the dangers of explosion which only the
greatest precautions can provide
against. Those fire bosses who did not
quit Today are expected to do so to-
morrow The companies viii find it i'm
possible to fill the places of these men,
as it requires much experience to be-
come expert in this work
Robinson, the Delaware & HUDSON
deputy who was shot through the right
lung at Olyphant late Saturday night
by some unknown person. alleged to be
a striker, is still alive with the chances
against him. The company offered $1,000
reward for the arrest and conviction Of
his assailant-
STRIKERS RETURNING TO WORK.
BramWeu, W. Va. June 16.-Several
hundred more strikers returned to work
today in the Flat Top and Tug River
coal fields, probably half the number
who struck a week ago having now re-
turned to work. The remainder now out
are becoming desperate This morning
IUV Oh the SlIlheISr UGdN1iN
armed left Simmons, where there are
three collieries, and sarted on a marcl.
to POcahontas- They allege that they
will stop work there. Many believe
that troops will soon be necessary i'll
this field, as serious trouble IS predicted.
CAN'T GIVE FIGURES
Wilkesbarre, Pa, June 16--As far as
can be learned the effort of the strikers
to bring out the fire bosses and other
bosses today was not as great a sue
cess as was expected by the union. In
formation as to the number that re-
fused to go to work is difficult to he
had, but it is generally believed that
the number was not large. The miners
leaders say that at least half of the
fire bosses promised to stop work. In
the absence of report they say that
they cannot at this time give figures.
Jasper Clark of Toledo. international
president of the Team Drivers associa-
ton. who came here last night. saw
President Mitchell today.
Mr. Clark said his union was in en-
tire sympathy with the miners and win
do everything to help them. If it were
necessary to call out his men to help the
miners, he felt sure they would re-
spond.
There was a general shooting ARRAY
near the William A. colliery of the Le-
high Valley Coal company at Duryea
shortly after midnight, in which nc one
was hurt. There are conflicting reports
as to the nature of the trouble. Resi-
dents of the neighborhood said several
coal and iron police left the colliery
after midnight and were attacked by a
number of men who were laying in
wait. They managed to board car
for Pittston, it is said, without being
injured. All this was denied at the Of
fee of the Lehigh Valley Coal COM
pany. The officials of the company said
a number of Italians were having a
celebration and that they began firing
revolvers in the air. They were not
near the colliery. Four coal and iron
police of the company were seen at
the offices today. They said they came
get clothes. They denied they were at
tackled.