The Indianapolis journal., 1902-08-18
Bituminous Operators Are Busy Ship
ping to the East, and Prices Prob
ably Will Be Advanced.
NO SIGN OF A SETTLEMENT
MINERS UNION PAYING OUT HALF A
MILLION DOLLARS A WEEK.
brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers
Officers Meet Here TO Vote Finan-
ciaI Aid to Miners.

John Mitchell president of the United
Mine Workers, arrived in the city yester-
day from Wilkesbarre, Pa, his temporary
headquarters while the strike lasts in the
anthracite region, and spent the day with
Secretary Wilson discussing the affairs of
the miners. President Mitchell said his visit
was of special Importance, that he
only stopped to talk with Secretary Wilson
on his way to Spring Valley, ILL., where
he will spend a few days with his family
THE situation, generally, is satisfactory"
said President Mitchell, ''and we have no
complaint to make. The men are standing
firm and there is no prospect of weakening
l feel just as confident of winning as when
the strike began"
Did you know the operators had so much
anthracite coal in stock when the strike
was ordered?' was asked
They had no more than We thought they
had. The fact is, prices and quotations
have been made coal that does not ex-
ist. Their supply is about gone and 1 hope
they will decide 10 do something in the
way of a settlement. Concerning the report
that settlement is probable, l know moth
ing but what / read in the papers. L have
not been notified of any such movement
making an effort to try to get the operators
TO meet US. but l cannot tell how it is
succeeding
Has the controversy between the priests
over the criticism of Father O'ReiIly had
any effect on the strikers?"
None whatever That has all blown
over. Father O'Reilly was misquoted and
his sayings exaggerated by press dis
Have many miners left the anthracite
region?'
Yes; 1 think no less than 25,OOO people
have left the region during the strike.
When the strike began some 5000 or 1900
foreigners went back to the old country,
some to visit relatives and others to stay.
Others have gone to New York, Philadel-
phia, Baltimore and Eastern cities, while
many have secured work in the bituminous
coal regions. The people are still leaving.
and L cannot say how many will come
back"
Are many of the miners still able to
maintain themselves"
Some are not an expense on the mine
workers organization, but we are now fur
nishing supplies to all the districts An
attempt was made by the operators to
cause dissension among the strikers who
had saved up little money by represent
ing that they had to support themselves
while others who had not saved were being
supported by the union 1t had no effect
for the miners realize that the needy ones
must be kept, and those who have plenty
are willing TO get along without aid Funds
are coming in satisfactorily, and | am
well satisfied with the liberal contributions
received from all quarters"
How do the anthracite operators regard
the shipping of bitumnous coal into the
market; and will the miners attempt to
stop it?'
operators, answered President Mitchell
with twinkle in his eye Il understand
that considerable bituminous coal is being
shipped into the East We have nothinS
to say about il. The bituminous coal men
are busy and many anthracite miners have
secured work in the bituminous mines Of
course the price of bituminous coal will
be higher because of the shortage of an
thracite."
President Mitchell does not seem TO be
deeply concerned about the financial ability
OF the organization TO maintain the striking
miners until the operators show a wiIIing
ness to meet them. Secretary Wilson saws
the miners are getting all they ask for.
which is $4,000 q week
The presence of the militia in the anthra-
cite region is losing the effect of terrorizinp
the miners, President Mitchell said. and
they are beginning 10 regard the troons
with a better feeling He said he did not
know how long the State would keen
troops in the district. but so long az tharS
Is no serious outbreak and no attemnt is
made TO hinder the miners from their nres-
ent course in conducting the strike no ef-
forts Will be made 10 seek their removal
AS the militia is not assuming an authori-
tatlve attitude it is probable the miners
and soldiers Will have no differences
A story has been circulated that Presi-
dent Mitchell and Senator Hanna are in
league in fighting the anthracite operators
because Senator Hanna is interested in the
bituminous coal mines. When President
Mitchell was asked about it last night he
simply smiled and said such a thing was
too ridiculous TO be considered II SIM
pose that story emanated from some of the
anthracite operators. I do not know how
heavily Senator Hanna is interested in the
bituminous mines, but 1 should think that
his interests are small"
George Purcell. of Terre Haute. Indiana
member of the national executive board
Of the United Mine Workers who mas
charge OF the strike in the Kanawha and
New River district in West Virginia was
in the city yesterday to meet President
Mitchell and confer with Secretary Wilson
He said the entire district is tied m and
that the strike is as complete as the miners
could desire. As yet, he said, there are no
prospects OF a settlement but he thinks
the miners have the upper hand
ENGINEMEN To HELD