New-York tribune., 1902-05-22
MAY FLOOD THE MINES.
ENGINEERS, FIREMEN AND PUMPMEN
TO BE CALLED OUT BY COAL STRIK-
Frs UNLESS HOURS ARE RE
DICED BY JI'NF p
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.


IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
wflkesbarre, Penn, May 21.-The United Mine
Workers. believing there is no chance Of arbitra-
tion and that the operators are determined to
fight TO the end determined to-day TO take fur
fher offensive measures and make the operators
give concessions they have already refused or
protect their properties from the damage by
foods The fremen. engineers and pumpmen
viii he called Monday June , unless ty
that time they get an eight hour day without
reduction Of wages. This would be an increase
3f 30 1-3 per cent. The executive committees Of
the three districts headed by Presidents T u.
Nichols Of No l. Thomas Duffy of No 4 and
John Fahey Of No. .. went into session at Presi-
dent Mitchelrs headquarters this morning at 10
O'Clock. and with two hour recess at noon
finished their business shortly before = o'clock.
At that time the following statement issued
by President Mitchell. addressed to the officers
and members Of all local unions in the anthra-
cite regions:
Pursuant 10 instructions Of the Hazeton con-
vention. the executive committees of Districts
Nos. J. . and 8 convened in the city of Wilkes
barre to-day for the purpose Of considering the
sdvisa bility of authorizing engineers. firemen
and pumpmer =" remain at work for the pur-
pose Of preventing the mines operated by
tho various coal companies from being injured
or DESTROYED hv flooding.
After carefully considering the question in all
rs bearings we have decided. in accordance with
the we'll Psta abshed principles Of the United
Mine Workers Of America. 10 protect and pre-
serve the properties Of the coal operators by
recommending that al engineers fTemen and
rump,nen whose labors are necessary to keep
water out Of the mines remain at work. il the
various coal companies pay 70 them the scale or
wages and comply with the conditions NJ ON
ployment formulated ny the Shamok'n conNen-
fion-that is say the number Of engineers. fire
men and pumpmen required to keep me m mines w
from flooding will continue working in their re-
spective positions. providing the companies re
auire them work not more than eight hours
each day. without any reduction in their pres
ant compensation.
All other workmer excepting those whose
tabor is essential To carrying our this policy. are
Ftrippings. washeries and breakers until they
officially notified that the present suspension
Is ended. or until instructions to the contrary
have beer issued by the executive boaros ana
national officers
Presidents of local unions and mine commit
tees are hereby instructed ia wait upon mine su-
perintendents and notify Them that on and after
Monday. June p all engineers. hremen and
pumpmen are exported to work but eight hours
zach day. and are 10 receive present wages.
II was signed by the district presidents. score
aries and President Mitchell The number Of
engineers employed in al the districts IS 4.-hf
and Of pumpmen o,lSs-
The engineers. pumpmer and fremen now
work twelve hours a day. Their wages are as
follows: Engineers. Sti2 to Ss2 ~ month:
pumpmen, 81 9S to 81 % day. firemen, 81 NJ
80 81 80 day; head firemen > ~ to ,. 20
f1reTnen and Pumpmen get thirty-three days
month.
Hudson Company made no effort 10 operate It's
Grassy Island washery to-day at Olyphant.
where yesterday the strikers drove on the non,
union men. The Delaware Lackawanna and
Western Company. likewise desiring to avoid
trouble, closed its Bellevue and Diamond wash
cries which have been working without inter
ference. There We're plenty OF coal ana HHn
police on hand 10 protect the workers, but the
policy of the companies is if possible. to avoid
conflict with the strikers. II is not probable
that these washeries will be started again until
the union leaders are able 10 control their men
President Mitchell has not vet given up hopes
Of arbitration. despite the reports from New
York this morning that the operators al thelr
meeting yesterday directly refused the offer or
the Civic Federation 70 aTbtrae me dlIferehceS'
He states that he has heard nothing and knows
nothing Of the situation except what he has seen
President T. D. Nichols Of the first district
stated to-day that the soft coal miners may
strike without violating their contract with the
operators The presumed violation has been
the chief argument against their striking since
the proposed national convention was first called
20 consider the question Of national strike.
Nichols said that there is no clause in any OF
the soft coal agreements by which the men
agree 10 abstain from strike.
That the operators VIII not grant the de-
mands OF the firemen. engineers and pumpmen
any more than they VIII of the mine workers is
said semi-officiaiiy. In a statement issued on
the outlook the operators here this evening
agreed upon this:
I'VE are in a position TO fill the places of
All the striking firemen. engineers and pump
men that desire fill. We will have no
trouble IN that Our clerks. bosses and fore
men will step into the places, and If we desire
others we can get them. We have a six months
supply Of boiler coal on hand. and are prepared
for all emergencies. Some Of the mines which
will be damaged by water. VIII allow to
fiji: others. where there is little water, we Will
close entirely, and our men will be massed at
those cOleries where the water Will do damage
i allowed to gain. We have no fear OF the out
come. II will merely simplify matters. The
strikers will be out. and Will be conducting
business we care to conduct it, without
interference"