The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-05-22
Led by Drummer and Bugler
Striking Miners
SWOOp Down on a Washery in
Vicinity of Tamaqua.
OPERATIONS STOPPED.
Operators Begged Them to
Spare the Property
And Promised to DO Nothing
More Till Strike Ends.

Tamaqua, Pa, May 22.-Led by
drummer and a bugler. several hundred
striking miners marched on the Smith
Meyers washery this morning. A SEN
try posted in a tree fired his gun as a
warning to the men at the washery
that the strikers were approaching OPP
erations were at once discontinued.
When the strikers We're within fifty
yards of the operations they were met
by Charles Meyers, one of the operators
Mr. Meyers appealed to them not to
damage any property or to injure any
OF the men. He said that he would
pledge his word that not a load of coal
would be washed until the strike had
been settled. The marchers then ap-
pointed a committee to meet the en-
plOyes and the latter promised not to
work until an order to do so is issued
by the miners officials. After the men
had agreed to do this the marchers re-
STILL IN SESSION.
Wilkesbarre. Pa, May 22.-The execu-
tive committee Of the three anthracite
districts of the United Mine Workers
resumed their joint sessions this morn
ing for the purpose OF considering any
further business that may be presented
Neither President Mitchell nor the COM
mitteemen would say what matters
would be taken up. but as the call for
the proposed special national cOnYen-
ton has not yet been issued, it is be-
lieved by those around strike headquar-
ters that this will be the principal thing
that viii engage the attention of the
meeting.
President Mitchell had no information
to impart before he entered the meet
ing. He confirmed the Associated Press
dispatch that the Michigan bituminous
district had consented to the call for
a national convention. Mr.. Mitchell was
disinClined to talk on the proposition
of calling out the engineers firemen
and pumpren unless they are given an
eight-hOur day at the present wages. ex-
cept to say that he expects the mine
owners to comply with the demands of
the union.
Inquiry at the offices of the big coal
companies here today failed to elicit
any information as to how the operators
Will meet the latest demands of the
miners. At the Offices of one of the
largest companies in the field. it was
said no definite plan had yet been de-
cided upon because it was not positively
known until last night what action the
union would take and the company
wants more time to think the matter
over. The general impression prevails
that most of the companies will refuse
the demands and there is much specu-
lation as to the next move of the mine
owner.
Some of the smaller companies. It is
known, have been training their men to
be fremen and pumpmen and in SOME
{
that class of workmen. It is rumored
that non-union men viii be imported to
take the places of the engineers, hremen
and pumpmen.
COAL NEARS TOP NOTCH.
New York, May 22.-Convinced that
weeks, and possibly months, may elapse
before the miners strike shall have
been settled. retail coal dealers here
have advanced the price of anthracite
coal to a maximum of SIS. so a ton, and, at
the same time marked UP bituminous
to 81 so when purchased in small quanti-
ties. To consumers of large quantities
Of soft coal a rate OF S3.S5 was quoted.
Only once before have these prices for
fuel been exceeded. That was in 1871
when the price of anthracite reached a
maximum of 81 a ton.
SMALL OPERATOR STARTS UP.
HazletOn, Pa, May 22.=Mattheias
| Schwabe, a small Independent oper-
ator, today started up his colliery al
| South Heberton. All of his miners are
to receive the wages demanded by the
/ mine workers. The output will be fol
| home consumption exclusively. It com
mands Sc a ton at the breaker.
A NEW PHASE DEVELOPS.
Pittston, Pa, May pa new phase
| developed here in the mine strike today
! when all the washeries in this district
| controlled by the Erie company shut
/ down. They have been running steadily
turning out 5000 tons of coal daily. The
| shutdown was due to orders received
from New York last night, a conference
! of the railroad presidents having beer
/ held in that city yesterday, when it was
| decided to cease all washery operations