Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-05-19
NO CHANGE IN
THE SITUATION
Past Three Days Develop
Very Little News.
Anthracite Operators and
Miners Are Making Prep
arations for a Long Period
of IdIeness.

The situation throughout the anthra-
cite region can be summed up In these
few words: There is practically moth
ing new.
On both sides preparations for long
period of idlensss are going on, and it is
tho general opinion that unless the
operators grant concessions the struggle
will become test of endurance which
will drag on throughout the entire sum
mer and into the fall.
No further steps have been taken to
call national convention of the United
Mine Workers, for the purpose OF call
ing out the bituminous miners, but moro
news on this subject is expected during
the present week.
The three anthracite districts have
petitioned the national officers for a
convention, and only two more districts
need ask to bring about call. These
two will be heard from soon.
In this immediate vicinity the opera
tors have suspended every employe
whose presence Is not absolutely neces-
sary. The mules in the mines here
abouts have been removed to the sur
face, mine Offices have been closed,
breaker-doors and engine-rooms have
been boarded up. several Of the collier
les are being enclosed with high fences
and general air of preparations for an
all-summer siege Of no work prevails.
The few company stores which gave
credit have gone on cash basis and the
Office clerks are preparing to pay off the
striking and suspended employees in full
at the next payday.
On the part of the strikers these
preparations, which would dishearten
men In many other occupations, are
met with spirit of confidence in their
ultimate success. They are not dis
couraged by the outward signs Of the
operators plan OF campaign, as past
experience has taught them to place
no credence in the operators alleged
Indifference to a suspension OF mining.
The union officials are silent, as a
general rule, but it is known that they
have well-defned plans In view for con-
Quoting long struggle.
Rumors are rife that attempts will
soon be made to operate upper-end
washeries, and tho swearing-in of
hundreds OF coal and iron police in the
Lackawanna field gives color to the re-
port. The strikers, however, claim
they can hold their ranks intact and
that any work done at the washeries
will be for effect only and will be per-
formed by bosses and clerks.
Secretary Ralph M. Easley, OF the
Civic Federation, visited President
Mitchell at Hazeton on Saturday and
held long conference with the miners
leader. The call gave rise to rumors
OF peace, bnt neither of the parties con-
cerned would admit that their talk was
on the anthracite strike.
At Hazleton yesterday over 1000
people were pledged by Rev. Hussis at
the Catholic church, the pledge binding
them to abstain from intoxicants until
the strike is over.
MANY COAL AND IRON POLICE.
Governor Stone on Saturday appoint
ed 3s7 coal and iron policemen, under
the law OF 1866, to guard the property OF
the coal and iron companies In Luzerne
and Lackawanna counties. The cor
porations' attorneys filed applications
for the appointment of police to guard
the properties of the following compan-
les: Delaware and Hudson Company,
12l; Pennsylvania Coal Company, 1870;
Butler Mining Company, sc; Hillside
Company, So; Florence Company, 12
1t is evident that applications will be
made for the appointment Of many more
policemen, as the state department has
had printed a large number OF commits
slons bearing the names Of the different
coal companies but leaving blank for
the name OF the appoinsee.
SEEKING WORK ELSEWHERE.
During this and the next few weeks
the majority OF the unmarried strikers
and suspended employees and railroaders
will leave the region to seek work in the
large cities. 1t If feared, however, that
the short supply of coal will compel a
shutdown of those industries in which
miners are most likely to find work.
The low-fare excursion to New York
city tomorrow promises to be largely at
tended by Freeland people who are idle
on account OF the strike. They will
seek work there and If successful will