New-York tribune., 1902-09-16

With all peace rumors ending in naught but
shattered hopes, there to-day formed two clear
ly defined lines of action in the strike The
operators are to make every effort possible TO
resume work at the coieries, while the
to fight to the end with all the means which
unionism places at their disposal. To-day the
operators started three more coleries and in
creased the number OF their workers at others.
Tomorrow morning the strike officials will
fer in this city with President Samuel Gompers,
of the American Federation of Labor. who left
Washington tonight on the invitation of Presi-
dent Mitchell to come to this city. The opera
tors will tomorrow continue their efforts to
open more coeries, while the strikers are ex-
pected to arrange with the federation assess
all it's members certain amount each week to
aid in the support of the strikers. As it has
100000 members, a large amount could be
raised with moderate per capita tax
CONFERENCE BY STRIKE LEADERS.
The conference tomorrow will be attended by
National Secretary and Treasurer ". 3. WI
son of the United Mine Workers, who arrived
from indianapolis tonight, and the three dis
trict presidents, Nichols. Fahey and Duffy, who
also arrived tonight. President Mitchell will
not discuss what may be done at the conference,
and all that Treasurer Wilson will say is that
the assessments of the coft coal workers are be-
the amount is large was expected. He
says that the conditions hopeful and that
the strikers are standing together more firmly
than ever. This latter statement is in part veri-
fed to-day by G. E. Baker of Duns agency,
who has made al Investigation in the lower re-
gion and reports that the conditions there are
not so bright for resumption of work as was
anticipated. He says that the men are frmer
than they week ago.
In the early part of the strike it was reported
by officials of the American Federation Of
Labor that in the event of the strikers needing
the aid of the federated unions regular assess
ments would be levied weekly 1t is understood
that it is to discuss the amount and the plan
of raising it that President Gompers is coming
here. The plan must then be submitted to the
executive board of the federal tion.> II was pro-
posed in the crst weeks of the strike that
assessment of 81 a week should be levied on
each man in the federation, but this amount, it
was believed. would furnish too large a fund.
The assessment. it is understood VIII be hXed at
&c cents week.
COMMITTEES PRVENT TROUBLE.
The efforts to resume work this morning
expected to cause trouble. The operators had
informed Sheriff Jacobs of Luzerne County
that they had reports that interference with
the workers was planned. and they expected
his protection or the ordering of troops to the
region but the efforts of the strike leaders
prevented any serious outbreak except i'll one
case. Committees were sent last night among
the men who were most disturbed over the ex-
pected resumption, and they counseled peace
and prevailed on many of them TO remain al
their homes, so that of the marches eX-
pected occurred. There is. however. among the
operators the belief that trouble will come be-
fore the end OF the week.
Sheriff Jacobs two large forces of
deputies. and Sheriff schadt of Lackawanna
sent number of his men TO Taylor. Each force
met and dispersed some strikers. At Duryea.
where trouble was expected, the strikers
gathered in large numbers and two workers
engaged on a railroad leading to the Old Forge
mine were attacked and badly beaten. A num-
ber of shots fired at them before they were
overtaken. but only took effect Then
they were dubbed and stoned and left senseless