Evening journal., 1902-05-24
LONG STRUGGLE
SEEMS CERTAIN
Strike Of Miners Likely to
be PrOtraCtOd
RUMORS OF PEACE DENIED
Only Absolute Ruin Is Likely to
Force Either Side TO Make
Concessions
RUMORS OF PEACE DENIED

Wilkesbarre. Pa, May 24.-lt be-
comes more evident as each day passes |
that the great struggle between capi- |
tai and labor in the hard coal fields o.
Pennsylvania will be a protracted one |
and that only utter necessity is likely |
to force either side to weaken in order |
to avYid absolute ruin. Each day |
brings forth its crop of peace rumors, !
only to be promptly denied by either
side, and each day finds the miner and
the mine owner still at work perfect |
ing plans to carry on the war.
Yesterday was one of the dullest
days around the strike headquarters
that has been experienced since the
suspension began week ago last Mon
day. The three district presidents,
Messrs. Nichols, Duffy and Fahey,
held long conference with National
President Mitchell in the morning af-
ter which the three district leaders de-
parted for their homes. AS in the case
of most Of the conferences that have
been held, the nature of the discussion
was not divulged. President Mitchell
had no information to impart upon any
phase OF the situation. He said he had
received no communication or over
lures from any one that could in any
way be construed as bearing on a set
tlement of the difficulty. Senator Han
mas name is invariably connected with
every rumor that is telegraphed or tele.
phoned to headquarters for verifca-
tion.
The only information received from
the operators side during the last 3,
hours was the announcement that the
receivers of the Haddock Coal Com
pany had instructed the company's
superintendent to grant the demands
OF the engineers, firemen and pump
runners, to take effect June ., the date
fixed by the union for the Inauguration
of the strike of this class of employees
About so men are affected. This action
by the Haddock Company has beer
looked for, as it was known that thC
company had made overtures to Presi
dent Mitchell at Hazleton last weel
looking towards some arrangement by
which its pumps could be kept in Cp
Grafton in the event Of a strike. Th'
decision to grant the unions demands
by the Haddock Company will no
have any effect in influencing othe
companies to do the same. Severa
other individual concerns IN this dis
trict, it is known, will give the mel
what they ask, but are not ready Il
make the announcement.
President Mitchell is keeping yer
sharp watch on the shipment of btu
minous coal. This was shown yesteI
day when he denied a published re
port that there WAS an unprocedente
movement Of soft coal into the anthrs
cite territory He said that il such
thing were true lie would surely kno'
it, The United Mine Workers hay
a complete system, 1t is known, b
which the national president Is keI
informed OF the exact number of car
OF soft coal that are shipped from tf
mines and also as TO their destination
This is made possible by the co-ope
alton of miners and railroad employe
The members of the executive boal
of this district visited all the BliI
Workers local assemblies in the HI
zleton region yesterday, but for VIII
purpose is a mystery. II is believe
they carried important instruction
from President Mitchell and the exec
tive boards. which met at Wilkesbar
on Wednesday and Thursday. II a
pears that the miners are about
make some new move, but what it
cannot be learned
L. NJ. Beatty, of Barnhill, O.. min
employed by the Midvale and Gosh
Coal Company, was one of Mr.. Mite
ellis callers yesterday. lie came ca
at the instance of his employers to 4
$50 striking anthracite miners to 90
the company's Wainwright mines
the Cleveland. Lorraine and WHEEL
Railway, in Ohio, where steady c
ployment will be given them. Soft C,
miners are scarce. There are OIL
agents in the region on a similar m
sion, but they are not meeting w
much success, because anthracite m
ers, as a rule, do not care to work
bituminous mines.
Mr. Beatty said that there Is a fe
ing among the bituminous miners
Ohio that if the special national Ct
vention is held it will not decide to d.
out the soft coal men. He added Il
If such step is taken the order =
be pretty thoroughly obeyed.