The Washington times., 1902-10-19
LABOR'S GREAT TRIUMPH
IN ANTHRACITE REGION
History of Struggle Which
Attracted the World.
MORGAN CENTRAL FIGURE
About Him Politicians Buzzed and to
Him Miners Looked for
Settlement.

About a year ago the miners of tn
anthracite region of Pennsylvania be
came dissatisfied. but not until the lat
ter part of last April did they max
their formal demand for an eight hou
day, so cents a ton, and the recognition
of their union.
The demand was refused, and Senate
Hanna and other members of the Civi
Federation succeeded in bringing abou
a conference between the representa-
tives of the miners and. George F. Baer
Of the Reading Railroad, and other op
orators.
Strike Leaders Meet.
Up to May nothing had been accom-
plished by the Civic Federation. Strike
leaders met in Scranton on May Z. Wal
Street men interested in the coal-carry,
ing roads made last determined effort
and after an informal meeting Of the
presidents the railroad stocks made q
big advance. cable message was sent
no answer was received.
President Mitchell told his men of the
appeal he had made in New York to the
coal operators, but there was no sign,
he said. of any recession. He received
an ultimatum from the four largest coal
roads on May s. They all rejected the
offer to submit their differences to the
board Of trade.
President Mitchell issued the order for
a temporary strike on Friday. May 3.
and on Monday, May IL. about $4,000
men went out. Every man and boy
obeyed the order, and not pound Of
coal was mined that Monday. 1t was
then considered and was subsequently
proved to be the most remarkable tie
up in the anthracite region. Senator
Hanna pleaded for a sixty-days' truce,
but neither side favored his scheme.
Action Made Permanent.
The United Mine Workers held a con-
vention at Hazieton, Pa, on May IA to
determine whether the strike was to
ond day of the session the delegates
voted to continue the strike to the bit
ter end. About 500 men voted. and the
majority was liz. President Mitchell
headquarters at Wilkesbarre
on May l, and busted himself with de-
tails of the situation there. The miners
credit stores closed their accounts with
the strikers and sold goods only for
cash.
The mine owners met in New York
knife" The miners executive commit
tee decided on May 81 to keep the |
pumps in the mines running on the old |
basis until June 2. and a call was |
signed by six district leaders for a ma
tional convention to decide as to wheth-
sr the strike should be made general
Armed Guard Recruited.
Senator Hanna nsia = secret confer
snce on May 20 at Cleveland. Ohio, with
George W. Perkins. representing ].
oierpont Morgan. The pumpmen, en-
,ineers, and firemen were called out on
Monday, June 2. and 1000 men, about so
'er cent of those employed. quit work
was fully expected, and the op-
rators, who had an army of $500 spe-
ial policemen at the scene of the strike,
egan to recruit more men in New
'ork- About 5000 were guarding the
,ines on June 4. and the mines were
apidly filling with water.
twelve-year- r-old boy was shot on
une by the special police, and the
trikers burned several small trestles
sading to the mines. Business men be-
anne alarmed. and Preident Roosevelt {
eld conference with Senator Hanna I
nd Carroll d. Wright. Commissioner of t
abor. Mr.. Wright made an investiga-
lon Of the situation and reported to
ne President.
President Mitchell. on June is, called
national convention Of United Mine
'orkers at Indianapolis. for early in L
ily. The operators caused to be pub
shed long statement giving their po-
tion, and on June % President Mitchell r
early all their assertions, offered to s.
limit the difference to board of ar
tration. He said his men would stand
' the result. The operators then at O,
cked Mitchell's assertions and posi- ct
vely declined to arbitrate. II
Riots and Murders. IL
striker was kflled in Tu,, d. ~
tack made at Hazleton on the William m
colliery. Two Scranton collieries re- II
med in part on July Z. There were
me small riots in Carbon county July m
The soft coal miners were assessed to
each on July 13. and on July ls the re
tional convention at Indianapolis de- cl
red against general strike. Moth tn
> Jones was found guilty of violating nj
injunction taken out by the operators IL
ned at strike leaders. hs
rhe sherin OF Carbon county notified
v. William A. Stone that he was
able to cope with the situation. The a.,
ners rioted on July 30 at Shenandoah pe
1 killed Joseph Beddall, a special On
ard. The Oxford and Cayuga mines ~,
'umed on August l. Judge Kclar a.
lnted an injunction to keep Presi- ,
It Mitchell from interfering in the
" River region. Governor Stone Or -.
ed out the Pennsylvania State militia -.
General Goblin took command Dan C
}. Sweeny, a watchman. was :nur- ~.
ed on August 6. "'