The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-05
Some PeIted with Missiles and Others
Thrown Into Pools of Water and
Prevented from Going to Work.
NANTICoKE WITHOUT WATER
NO ENGINEERS TO MAN PUMPS THAT
SUPPLY THE TOWN.
Ranks of strikers Swelled by Men
Who Fear MISUNDERSTANDING
MitcheIIs View of Conditions.

wILKESBARRE. Pa. June 4.-More en-
gineers, fremen and pump runners obeyed
the call of the miners union and struck
to-day but in most instances the coal COM
pany officials were able to fill the places of
the strikers. The Susquehanna Coal Com
pany's colliery No. at Nanticoke was the
worst sufferer, all the f1remen refusing to
60 to work, which compelled the company
to shut down the engines. This colliery
furnishes the power for the water supply
of Nanticoke, and unless the engines are
again started the borough will have a water
famine 10 contend with. There was a slight
fire in the town to-day, and as the fire
alarm is sounded by means of the colliery
whistle there was considerable trouble and
delay before the volunteer firemen could be
called to the scene of the fire. The COM
pany, it is said. will allow its mines to fill
with water and let the borough get its
water supply as best it can.
1t was comparatively quiet to-day in the
Wyoming valley. There was the usual
gathering of crowds at several collieries at
starting and stopping time, but nothing of
serious nature occurred. Some men were
stoned on their way to and from work and
several were throwned into pools of water.
The fear Of bodily harm is causing more
men TO quit work than are the arguments
of the strikers
President Mitchell was kept busy all day
In his headquarters. He had nothing to
say regarding his visit TO Scranton last
night, where he met Frank p. Sargent,
chief of the locomotive fremen. Regard
ing the general strike situation he said
everything was progressing satisfactorily;
that more men were coming out each day
and that the idle men are behaving them
colxra oll In, hos izfr he lat
ter statement Mr.. Mitchell said the
chief of the Wilkesbarre police told
him that during the twenty-one
days the strike has been on there have
been fewer arrests than during the same
number of days prior TO the suspension
of work. Among the arrests that were
president had no comment to make when
informed that the New York Board of
Trade had decided TO ask President Roose-
welt to take up the task Of trying TO end
the great strike.
A systematic boycott of all persons and
establishments that in any way supply the
rated and is having its effect in bringing
men out of the mines. Men of all call
ings, including bartenders, butchers, gro
Gerry clerks, etc, are organized in the coal
region. A nonunion man in most places
cannot be served, and If he is, the es-
Establishment is boycotted. The families OF
nonunion men are consequently having
much trouble in buying necessaries of life.
There was to have been what the miners
call "scab serenade" at Miners Mills, a
small settlement near this city, tonight
but IL was called off by orders. il is said
from strike headquarters. The strikers had
planned to hold big torchlight procession
and parade through the town, stopping at
the home of each workman who refused
to quit work and serenading him and mis-
family with funeral airs, led by fife and
drum corps. Ii was feared some disorder
might occur and two district officials went
to the town this afternoon and prevailed on
the local leaders to cancel the affair. Mr.
Mitchell denied that he had ordered II
stopped. saying he only knew of the affair
through the newspapers and that he took
no action In the matter