New-York tribune., 1902-10-25
WEN "FO MINES RESUME
STRIKERS REFUSE To SIGN AGREE
MENTS WITH INDEPENDENT
OPERATORS.
TBr TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBrxF

offhA ltkS.
Inv TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
Wilkesbarre Penn. Oct. 24-It is estimated
that 100000 tons OF coal were mined to-day
an increase Of 25Ooo tons over yesterday. There
were twenty-five more mines in operation In the
strike region to-day than yesterday. but an OBJ
stacle in the shape Of the independent opera
tors has arisen 10 block the general resumption
Of anthracite mining. Though they did not
sign the request 10 President Roosevelt to ap-
point a commission 10 arbitrate the differences
between themselves and their employees. they
are endeavOrng to force their men TO sign
agreements binding them 10 stand by the hnd-
ings Of the arbitrators. This the mine workers
refuse to do, acting under the instructions oI
their district officers They have also retusfu
to sign papers agreeing TO work peaceably WIN
the non-union men who are retained by the
operators. They have been told 10 sign no agree
ments pending the decision Of the arbitration
commission.
Markle & Co, operating four colleries IN the
Hazleton region. have told their former en-
ployes that they will not be taken back unless
each one applies for work individually ana
signs an agreement binding himself TO abide oy
the findings Of the arbitrators. A Pardee q
Co. operating two collieries. and c. Pardee
Co. operating four collieries, near Hazietoh'
have told their men that each must Apply
individually for work and sign pledge not 10
molest non-union men or refuse TO Work WIN
them Coke Bros. & Co. operating SIX col
lieries: ] :. wentz & Co. operating one COL
liery. and the MIL Creek Coal Company TWO
coIlieries. ask their former employees TO sign
similar agreements
Committees representing the workmen told
the executive heads OF MarlIle & Co and Coke
Bros & Co. to-day that the men were ready 70
inst shaxy ha a INIT
said that neither would recede from its position
and that no one could go back unless he signed
the agreement. Locals whose members are
affected by this order met this morning ana
voted not 20 return under such conditions Ihe
men willing 10 go back only as the employees
OF the large companies are doing
President Mitchell refused tonight To COM
ment on the action OF the strikers in refusing
to agree TO the request of the Markes, CoAes'
VENTS and Pardees TO abide by the decision OF
the arbitration board and to agree not to in
terfere with non-union men.
The increase IN men to-day at the collieries
in the upper coal field was general. Several
of the larger companies have about so per cent
of the workers employed, and are increasing the
number as fast the mines are repaired. The
order Of Governor Stone instructing General
Miller to withdraw the troops as rapidly as
conditions allow not approved to-day by
the coal operators. who believe that the troops
may be taken out Of the region before the dan
ger OF violence is all over. Several operators
said that if the soldiers were withdrawn they
would have TO come back again. as their depart
ure would be the signal for a number OF attacks
on non-union men and general disorder in this
connection. The civil authorities. they say. have
not shown their ability to prevent even the
mildest form Of these outbreaks, and with the
present high feeling against the non-union
workers every indication is that there will be
continued intimidation and violence
! The 18th Regiment and Batteries a, and c
were ordered to-day to prepare TO break camp
tomorrow. They will reach home by Sunday.
General Goblin. OF the Third Brigade has issued
no other orders so far concerning the troops
under his command. The 18th Regiment is
stationed near Scranton, and Battery q is with
the 9th Regiment opposite this city.
] The military men here do not express any
opinion as to when il will be safe 20 withdraw
all the troops. That decision, they say, rests
with General Miller
Owing 10 the stoning OF a guard yesterday
morning. Colonel DOugherty. OF the 9th. ordered
his men when a similar occurrence takes place
10 shoot TO hit and there will be no more hber
ties taken with the guard lines. The men are
determined to prevent further assaults.
Many OF the strikers returning TO the region
viewed with suspicion by those who re-
manned at home. The men who come back say
that they have worked I'm the soft coal region.
but they are suspected Of having gone 10 other
parts OF this region. Stanley Macally. one man
suspected OF this. was captured by six supposed
friends to-day and laid table In tailor
shop. where he was stripped and beaten with
rubber hose. He escaped by jumping through
"A window. The men were arrested ana jailed
Anthony Jelinsky. also suspected. was beaten
so that his condition is precarious.
President Mitchell said tonight that he had
been asked 10 attend the sessions of the arbi-
tration commission in Washington Monday.
and would he present