New-York tribune., 1902-05-17
WILL PROTECT THEIR MEN
OPERATORS WILL KEEP CLEAR OF
WATER MINES THAT FLOOD
WOULD DAMAGE.
Try TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.

Wilkesbarre. Penn. May 16-The operators
here received reports from all Collieries in the
region, telling of the conditions and of how the
news OF the strike was received. One said to-
night:
The word that a strike was on was received
in silence in most of the places. In none of the
towns except Hazleton there any enthusi-
aSm-no cheering, no professions such as marked
other strikes and in the small towns and mining
villages the news was more or shock than an
inspiration. In the small places the people are
nearer TO the knowledge of what II means 10
them.
The news that the iremen, pump runners and
engineers are not to be called out yet re-
ceived with great satisfaction by the operators
and with considerable relief They reported
that the condition at the mines to-day
quiet no disturbances occurring. and no efforts
being made to interfere with the men now at
work
Silent during the period preceding the strike
order, the operators -'0kc to-day for the first
time and the following semi-official statement
given out:
The oIerators are thoroughly tired of the ac-
tions of the men. We have been subjected to all
sorts Of petty annOyances for years. and the
time has come when really desire 10 know
Wilelher we can run Il' ILlIIes Uul sci CO Vi 81
whether the men snail run them. They lay on
from work when they like, and we are compelled
lose thousands of dollars day, sometimes,
by their whims. They never ask permission for
q holiday but take il at will. and there is not
a day when we can feel assured that our full
force will report for work. They strike when it
pleases them Even the laws of their union are
not obeyed, and they go out for senseless grev-
ances or little Observation-Disclosures without con-
sulting their officers
Some of their leaders have become past mas
ters in the art of making intoerab bic nuisances
Of themselves around the mines. They take
liberties that the mine inspectors would not
think of taking and treat the operators and su-
perintendents in the most insolent manner.
This is of the reasons why the operators
N nov a
determined TO run their business themselves.
The time that has elapsed since the lndianap-
oils and the ShamOkin conventions has been
utilized, and the operators now in a good
position to hold to the stand they have taken
with A responsible body in dealing with the
union there would be less difficulty. but the
union leaders insist the letter well the
spirit of any agreement being kept hy Us, while
they hold themselves and the men at perfect
liberty to violate the agreements at their own
sweet will
As to the threatened withdrawal Of the engi
neers and fremen, the operators are fully pre-
pared for il, and keep the water down In
any mine where flooding would be disastrous
or even troublesome hereafter. We have a six
months stock Of boiler coal Oh hdnu and
permanent men who be put II at my time
to man the boilers and the pumps. Most of the
big companies have already made arrangements
for men to fill the many places that may be
necessary in order TO keep the mines clear, and
these men will be protected while at work
All the big companies have had their mules
hosted the surface in anticipation Of a pro-
longed struggle, and prepared TO fight II
out Several Of the towns in the region. Nanti-
coke. Glen Lyon, Sandy Run and Others get
their water supply by having the mines pump il
TO them. If the mine pumpmen and hremen go
the people will have 10 get the water from the
nearest streams.