Omaha daily bee., 1902-06-15
FEWER MEN TO Be EMPLOYED
When Mines Are Opened Operators Plan to
Reduce Number One Third.
WAGES ARE TO BE INCREASED oNE-THIRD
Fifth Week of the Anthracite Strike
Finds Both sides Equally Firm
and Confident of Win
ming the Struggle.

NEW YORK. June 1i.-so confident are
the mine operators Of winning their strug-
gle with their employees in the anthracite
region that a statement has been issued at
Wilkesbarre to the effect that when opera
lions shall have been resumed fewer men
will be employed.
1t is planned to reduce the number OF
miners one-third and increase wages by
one-third. In other words, the operators
believe their forces can be reduced from
an approximate Of lax 900 men to loo, 900.
The operators say they will not attempt
to resume the mining OF coal at all col
~lieries, and that restrictions will be placed
on summary closing Of the mines without
notice by the men remaining away from
work for the purpose Of celebrating various
holidays. ETC., and they will be expected
to be on duty every day the mine is open.
Both Sides Equally Confident.
WILKESBARRE, Pa, June 14.-Today
finds the fifth week Of the anthracite coal
miners strike. Neither side has weakened
an inch and each side stands just as firmly
as 1t did thirty-hve days ago.
AS the days go by 1t becomes more APP
parent that 1t is a case OF the Survival
OF the Attest" Neither the miner nor the
operator has anything further to propose,
and II a solution Of the dispute is to come
II looks very much as though 1t will have
to come from a third party.
The entire region was quiet today and the
territory affected by the strike presents q
Sunday-like appearance. Including those
who are not on strike, but are affected by
the suspension, there are approximately
los, 900 men and boys idle. The efforts Of
the strike leaders to bring out the FIRE
bosses is not meeting with as much sue
cess as they expected.
President Mitchell today received advices
from West Virginia which, he says, are ex-
tremely favorable to the strikers. One
telegram from the Kanawha and New River
districts, where a total Of $1,000 men are
employed, says that 1850 men are on strike
in that territory.
Denounced Rs a Fake.
The statement printed today and alleged
to be from an official close to the large
coal companies, to the effect that the strike
is teaching the operators to economize
the working force at their mines, and that
after the strike is over less than 100, 900
men will be used in the mines, is denounced
as a fake"
General Manager Warmer of the Lehigh
Valley Coal company, said today that
neither his company nor the New Jersey
Central railway knew anything Of the origin
of the story. An official of the Wilkes
barre company also denied knowledge OF
the statement.
President Mitchell says the idea embodied
In the statement is absurd, even from tho
operators view point.
The heavy rains Of last night had little
- - - -I--- uyA.- - .Nz-u1.
accommodating in some collieries, but the
company ~oficials say they have the situa-
ton well in hand.
Omcer's House Dynamited.
HAZLEToN, Pa, June 1.-THE house of
James Apologize at West Hazleton was
shattered early today by an explosion OF
dynamite, which had been placed near the
side of the building by unknown parties.
The family escaped injury. Applegate has
been employed as a special oflcer at the
Cranberry colliery since the strike went
into effect.
Frank Pardee, superintendent of the
Cranberry c~olliery, offers a reward Of $500
for the arrest and conviction of the dyna-
miters. He says bloodhounds will be
brought here to assist the police in running
down the guilty parties.
Apologize, while returning from tho
Cranberry c~olliery, where he had gone to
report an account OF the explosion and
the consequent shock to himself and fam
lily, was held up by two men and relieved
Of his revolver. He made no resistance,
as four other armed men stood close by
ready to assist II necessary in overpower-
Ing him. Apologize knows the men and
they will be arrested.
Mra AnnIaoata aavo che NaId ~, 4,
West Hasleton man that fourteen houses
would be dynamited II the men occupying
them did not stop working at surrounding
mines. Policemen are now looking for the
person who is alleged to have made this
threat.
NEW YORK, June Alt was learned to-
day on the highest authority that the visit
OF George w. Perkins OF ]. P. Morgan &
Co., to Washington yesterday had nothing
to do with the coal strike. The situation
so far as the anthracite operators is con-
cerned, It is said, remains unchanged.
ROANOKE, Va, June ~1A-Today's on
cial statement by the Norfolk & Western
Railroad company. regarding the strike In
the Pocahontas coal fields, shows but lit
tie change in the situation since Friday.
There is a gradual return of old men to
work and the strikers ranks are not being
augmented. Complete reports of yester-
days operations show that four mines were
idle out OF a total OF forty-six.
Expect to Operate Cars.
PAWTUCKET. R. l.. June IA 1t was ex-
pected today, in view Of the withdrawal
Of the deputy sheriffs yesterday, and the
proclamation by the mayor, asking the
citizens TO conduct themselves in an or
derby manner, that the railway system
would be in operation throughout the city
before night.
Should the regular police show them
selves able to cope with the situation,
the militia will be gradually withdrawn.
The company considers the new ten-hour
law unconstitutional and the Merchants
association has requested the attorney gen.
erel to take measures to have the law
tested In the courts.