The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-05-26

discover they VIII be expelled from the
union 81 they do not obey the strike
order.
Counting Up Poll.
The result Of the poll taken Of the en-
gineers and pumpmen by the coal com
Panjes yesterday Is being received to
day aad shows there is more opposition
TO The strike than even the sanguine op-
orators had expected The mine work
ers did what they could 10 arouse the
fever and at several Of the meetings
leaders Of the miners made speeches
begging the engineers and pumBraeu g.
join them, promising them victory and
an S-houT day instead OF The twelve
now worked. at the sane rate OF wages
now paid.
The men then cast their ballots Sc
cretIy so that there should lie 10 i'll
feeling and the result Of the poll was
made known All the returns Viii not
be IN until this evening, but those al
ready received show that > per cent Of
the engineers and pumpmen are opposed
TO the strike. Whether they viii act
As a body and be governed b. the vote
OF the ma iorIty or act individually and
go on strike II they desire, II is i'm
possible TO teI! The men do not know
themselves. but the majority are doing
what they can TO keep all at work
Like Their Positions.
The fact that they are assured OF
steady work, however, as long as the
strike lasts and that their work is easy
and positions wiu be difficult TO regain
after q strike, were the prime factors in
arousing opposition. Furthermore. they
had little complaint The result Of the
poll materially betteTs the condition
from the operators standpoint, and as
sWes them OF their ability TO keep the
mines free Of water
Ninety per cent Of the fremen are ex-
peeted 10 strike, but ~ith the engineers
and pumpmen at werk The places Of the
strikers can readily be filed. The min
ers are this morning much depressed by
the unexpected opposition. and some OF
them declare openly that no non-union
nen viii be allowed 10 man the fires.
The raiIroaders at their meetings yes
terday gave the miners nothing more
than sympathy. but decided 10 hold a
general meeting in this city on June 2.
at which there viii be a discussion of
the situation.
Third Week Of Strike.
Today marks the beginning Of the
third week of the coal strike. and one
week from today the first crisis viii be
met in the struggle which is TO deter
mine whether the operate OF the Unit
ed Mine Workers Of America are to
control the coal mines IN the anthracite
field.
This week is TO be one of more than
usual Importance. Both the operators
and President NJ, ,czelI, Of the union. are
preparing 10 cope with the situation
which viii come as a result of the call
ing cut Of the engineers, fremen, and
pualp-1en On June 2. The operators are
pared to replace each engineer. fire.
nan, OF pumpman who may leave his
posi- 81 Monday next. Nothing which
may occur on that date will take the
Opel tors by surprise The mine OWL
ing interests are guarding against any
possible flooding Of the mines by sound
ing The men who would be affected by
Mr. Mftchells order. and where salts
factory assurances Of an intent 10 re-
main at work are not given, employees
are required 10 enroll themselves as
members OF the coal and iron police
II was learned today from weII-in-
formed Tepres eltatives OF the operators /
that engineers, mostly elderly men. are
much displeased with the action Of the
union. They hold desirable Jobs. own
their own homes, are far from inclined
10 Quit their posts. knowing that they
would not again be employed IN any
caaacity by the mine owners No diff
Guilty Is expected in filling the places Of
such as leave or are discharged Many, |
II is said, have declared their purpose !
OF remaining at work.
Situation Demands Deliberation.
Although It is the general belief that |
Mr.. Mitchell is prepared 10 90 10 almost |
any length 10 win, there are not a few
who believe that he viii deliberate long
and carefully before asking or requiring /
some 900 .O09 men to 90 out IN the face
OF tLe.- contracts on sympathetic
strike. Strike leaders not emitting Mr..
Mitchell. realize that it would pIacel
their cause IN none too good a light be-
fore the public On the other hand, if
the large operators stick to their decIar-
atoms not to yield an inch IN this mat
ter. but to. fight It out TO the end, Mr..
Mitchell may as a last resort call out the
bituminous miners The manager Of a
large coal concern here said this would
DuIy result in q more acute situation in
The coal market. which the anthracite
men would probably endeavor to relieve,
even at the expense Of violence.
Peace rumors are plentiful, but for the
most yzrt apparently without basis. It