Omaha daily bee., 1902-09-05
UP COAL SITUATION
Letter from Coal Agent at the Scene Of
the Big Strike.
NO ANTHRACITE FOR WESTERN MARKET
strike Likely to BE Prolonged, ms Both
Sides Are Determined to Win
No Relief ia I'm
Sight.

From a western agent of one Of the larg-
est coal producing and shipping companies
Of the western territory The Bee has just
received q long letter regarding the coal
situation in general, as affected by the
strike, anu the prospects OF tine duration OF
the strike. As the writer Of this letter is
thoroughly informed in a general way upon.
matters pertaining to the coal business and
is now at the scene of the strike the In
formation which he furnishes and the opin-
ions which ne expresses must be given some
weight. He writes from Wilkesbarre, Pa,
as follows:
1 have spent several days in the valley
visiting the mining towns around Scranton
and W~ilkesbarre; have called upon a num-
Der of the representatives OF the producing
su~perintendents and a number OF the
miners and also some of the business men
here and have called at the Hotel Hart
president of the union, and l find the situa-
ton to be about like this:
Strike Spirit is Strong.
The strike of 1900 had the sympathy of the
business men of the coal district. The
miners were justified and the operators of
the mines conceded within six weeks nearly
United I'm Vim %ym r Of America meT sne open 1ed
local branches in the anthracite fields and
nearly IA, 1000 men Joined the union, IL was
the spirit of strike had taken a strong hold
upon the men and turned their heads.
The operators have been so annoyed with
petty strikes at their different breakers in
the last two years that they resolved when
the present strike was inaugurated and was
made general in May last they would stand
firmly for what they considered their
rights. The strike is not by any means
on the part of the miners is as to the
recognition of the union, and that the mine
mands Of the strikers can and viii be
satisfactorily settled.
will carry out their plan and allow matters
to develop II it takes all winter. A con-
cession now would mean no end of trouble
in the future and they can better AFFORD to
stand the loss n expense now than to
yield and be constantly annoyed with small
strikes from time to- time. and no doubt
two. On the other hand, the miners are
determined to win IL possible, as 1t means
fields and possibly in the soft coal district
as well.
Gradually Opening Up.
The operators are gradually opening up
breakers and washerfes and there are now
about thirteen of the latter In operation In
the several districts, but few breakers. The
washeries do rot aid the supply except
the washing of culm beds and securing the
smaller sizes of coal for steam purposes.
All the present difficulties between the
out Of the efforts OF the mine owners to
work their property with nonunion men. II
output for the next sixty days the strike
will be practically broken. This the miners
realize and there is much trouble IN pros
pect.
The operators oner no encouragement
that the strike will be ended before NoVem.
Der. II this Is true II will take all the Goa
they can mine for the ensuing sixty days e
supply the eastern demand until cold
weather. Then a large quantity OF the
November and December coal will be used
here for local consumption. There Is very
little II any prospect of any appreciate
amount OF anthracite coal being moved
west this winter at ALL This will, OF
course, have its effect upon the soft Goa
market as we'll. for there will necessarily
be more OF that product used to supply thu
deficiency and 1t Is unlikely that there will
be any relief In prices throughout the en-