Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-10-08
TWO PROBLEMS.
Will Miners Obey Presidents
Request to Resume Work?
Will Operators Be Able to Mine Enough
Coal If Protected?
Strikers Are Firm and Declare They
Will Not Yield.

"ilkesbarre, Pa. Oct. THE two
principal features of the anthracite
coal strike which claimed public at
tention In the coal fields. today. were
| VIII the miners yield to the desire
OF the President OF the United States
Tor them To return to work and in
| vestlgate afterwards, and will the
mine operators be able to carry out
their promise to produce enough coal
TO relieve the situation if given tn.
protection of the full military power
| Of the state?
After a most careful inquiry among
the district officers mot including the
district presidents who are in Buff
falo) and the rank and file of mine
workers. it was found that sentiment
is strongly against accepting the
Presidents proposition in it's present
form.
The Presidents message to Mr..
Mitchell became known here this af-
ternoon, and it was earnestly discussed
by the striking miners and citizens
generally. 1t is positively known to
those who are close to the officers of
the union that President Mitchell and
his district deputies have all along
work without some concessions, but
whether they are still so inclined with
the President appealing to them it can
not be officially stated. 1t is reason
ably certain. however. that they are
still opposed to such action.
In connection with this. $500 strik-
ing mine workers of the Prospect.
Oakdale and Midvale colIieries of the
7 obi uIp N.,1l T.. II,
city. today. and it was announced at
ter the meeting that they had unani-
mously decided to remain on strike
until they get some concessions.
A tremendous interest is manifested
in the effect the presence of the entire
division of the National Guard will
have on the strike. Coal company Off
Gals welcome the soldiers and say that
prospects are bright for the resumption
of mining. The strikers received the
news in a matter Of fact way and say
the presence of the soldiers will have
no effect on the strike.
There is one noticeable thing. and
that is the strikers show firmer stand
than they did before Gov. Stone acted.
last night National Board Member
John Fallon. who was the highest in
day. said the men will remain firm to
the end. The general comment that IL
is now up to the operators to mine coal
now that they have the entire state
military protection, which they, have
been asking for. is not shared by all
officials of the companies. 1t is claimed
that the state has yet to show what it
proposes to do.
There is a feeling among some OF
these officials that the mere move of
sending all the troops into the coal re-
giOn may not have the desired effect
in bringing about an early resumption
of the cOllieries. An official of one of
the largest coal companies in the ter
ritory Is authority for the statement
that an early resumption depends alto
gether upon where the military author
tiles place the troops.
Contrary to expectations no troops
arrived here today. Several hundred
of tine 5000 National Guardsmen now
in the field are strikers and they pro-
pose to turn a portion of their pay
from the state over to the relief fund
of their fellow workers.