New-York tribune., 1902-05-19
HOPE FOR EARLY END OF STRIKE|
CIVIC FEDERATION STILL AT WORK-RETAH DEALERS
DECIDE TO CUT OFF CREDIT
LOOKS LIKE ARBITRATION
RALPH EASLEY VISITS COAL. FIELDS
AND ;TOLDS CONFERENCE
WITH MITCHELL.
BY TELEGEArH 10 THE rRIprNE.I

Hazleton. Penn. May 1S-The statement in
The Tribune this morning that regulations ale
under way for a settlement of the coal strike
verified by the arrival here OF Ralph Eas-
ley, secretary Of the civic Federation. for a
conference with President Mitchell After te-
ing in Washington IN Friday, where ne saw
President Gompers, of the American Federation
Of Labor, and Senator Hanna, he returned TO
New-York on Saturday morning. Whether he
there some Of the operItors is not Known
since ne refused to speak on the subject. He
arrived here late last night and MAS IN con
ference with Mr Mitchell until long after mid
night He left here for New-York this morning
at 10 o'clock What transpired at the confer
ence neither would say.
1t was merely a social visit" said Mr. Eas-
ley, as he took the train; Il brought propo-
sition, and l take away none"
Asked if he did not consider it probable that
within a short time the operators and the mine
workers would hold another conference. he said
that All sorts Of rumors going about. but
he did not answer the question directly. Mr.
Mitchell had nothing 10 say beyond:
Mr. Eisley just came UP to me-"
rs there any hope Of an auicable settlement
Of the strike within short timer" he asked.
There is always hope" he said. and refused
to talk further the matter.
There is among the district leaders. however.
since tho strike hogan. and there is with
out doubt. something under the surface. They
reticent but admit that the strike may be
ended soon. and that there is yet chance for
reaching jh' OPERATORS
Th- opinion. based on what can be learned OF
the situation here is that Mr. Easley went to
Washington with some proposition which there
is ground for believing was satisfactory 10 the
operators and that after consulting with
Gompers and Senator Hanna and getting their
opinion. h. submitted what he had TO Mitchell
There is no doubt that the latter will accept
any chance for peaceabe settlement 1t is
understood that MI Easl-y will see some Of the
operators tomorrow and that 10y the middle of
the week VIII be made public some plan by
which the strike may be ended. The Civic Fed
Grafton committee will, it is understood call the
operators and President Mitchell and the dis
trct presidents TO meeting in New York and
that there such arrangements may be made
that peace viii cnsue That the operators wore.
startled by the strike. that most of them did
not expect il, ana that some opposed to It,
give ground fer the belief that they viii be
ready TO make arrangements for another hear
ing OF the grievances. 1t Is stated on good
authority that If the mine workers receive an
offer Of "a = per cent increase they viii sign a
scale TO hoid until next April. when the strug
gle for better conditions will be resumed.
The soft coal operators and miners from Hi
nOS who came here to refer a dispute about
their animal agreement 10 President Mitchell
have started for home. but President Mitchell
refused to state whether they reached an agree
ment not.
The ministers throughout the region addressed
their congregations to-day the strike situa-
ton and warned them TO avoid the saloons to
abstain from violence and to obey the law.
Some approved of the strike mildly; others
yentured no opinion upon It,
The district officers who have heard this
evening from their districts report that all is
quiet. No attempts have yet been made to work
the mines. and none expected, although it is
feared that there VIII be trouble he
WIsheIics run by non-union men are start
ed. 1t is said that efforts in this direction Will
be made tomorrow morning. A number of coal
and iron policemen have been in and
armed Many of these the regular workers
at the washeries or men who have been secured
to work, and who, If interfered with by the
strikers, hold the power of policemen and NAV
legally be armed. They are furnished with
clubs, reN0lNeTS and badges. There is such a
demand for coal among hOusehoders here that
the small quantities cleaned for market by these
washeries viii bring fancy prices and the own
ers small capitalists. eager to take advan-
taee of the situation.
There was an impressive scene at each of the
masses at St GabrieIs Roman Catholic Church
i'm this town. This is the church of which the
late f. S. Phillips, the miners champion in the
strike of 1900 the rector In consonance
with President Mtchells request that all mine
workers abstain from visiting saloons. the Rev.
James Y. Husse asked all the members of the
parish TO take an oath abstaining from the
of intoxicating liquors during the period Of the
strike. Only a few refused. At the principal
service at lO:3O O'Clock every person in the
church, which was crowded, stood up and took
the oath. AT vespers the oath was administered
To those who were not present at the nnorDtpe,
services Father Husse delivered strong ser
mon to the mine workers. He told them that
now that they have struck, they must stand to-
gether for the cause.
The strike enters upon its second week
The week just ended was the first. 1t IS said i'm
the history of the hard coal trade that no coal
was mined in any part of the region.
In about week President Mitchell will pay a
brief visit to his home. in Spring Valley, III and
will visit national headquarters, in INDIANAPOLIS
on his return to the anthracite region
President Mitchell said to-day that he couId
not say when the special national convention Ia
consider the stability of involving the him
rninous miners i'm the anthracite strike win he
held lie has not yet received the consent of
the two districts still needed to max. NJ III.
iye that are necessary under the rules to can a
special convention.
All the local trades unions la this region me.
to-day and decided 10 stand b. the miners in
their struggle