Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-11-21
COXE'S OFFER
IS REJECTED
Drifton Strikers Refuse the
Company's Terms.
Proposition to Resume Work
Includes the Names of Over
400 Persons Who Will
Not Be Reinstated.

At a meeting of the Drlfton employees
of Coke Bros. & Co., held yesterday
afternoon at the Grand opera house, the
following resolution was unanimously
adopted:
| Resolved, That We, the members OF
Local Union No. 1919, U. M. w. of A.,
composed entirely OF Coke Bros. & Co.'S
employees Of the Drifton colleries, Nos.
and 2, do solemnly pledge ourselves,
both separatively and collectively, to
refuse the answer to our liberal request,
and further promise not to return to
work until all employees of Coke Bros. &
Co., Incorporated, and the d. s. & s.
Railroad, return with us, unless ordered
to do so by our national or district presi-
dent"
The meeting was the first OF a series
which will be held by the union en-
ployes of Coke Bros. & Co. for the pur-
pose OF taking action on the reply of the
company to proposition for settlement
made early this week by the conference
committee.
John j. Gillespie, president OF Drifton
local, called the meeting to order, after
which the answer of Superintendent
Smith was read. A discussion, the
trend of which was wholly against ac-
cepting the terms offered, followed, and
was participated in by Vice President
Andrew Matti and Board Member Will
liam Dettrey, OF District Z, both OF
whom are employees of the Drifton
company.
At the conclusion OF the discussion the
above resolution was presented and was
adopted without a dissenting voice or
vote, notwithstanding the fact that the
meeting was attended by almost every
union man on strike at the colieries
represented by the local. The deter
mined stand of the strikers was never
shown to better advantage than when
this vote was taken, as the decision was
arrived at after an earnest plea had
been made for every man to vote as his
| conscience dictated.
The reply consists OF several type
written documents, containing answers
to General Superintendent Smith from
Superintendent Kudlich, Rohlands and
Pennington. Mr.. Kudlich, in giving to
Mr.. Smith the names OF the men whom
he will not re-employ, states that such
action Is taken ION account of being ad-
vised by you that charges are pending
against them" Mr.. Rohlands refers to
those whom he will not re-employ as
'men who should not be re-employed
under any circumstances" Mr.. Pen
nington's list is headed as men whom
II cannot place In their former posi-
tions, but can give them a chance later
on, except one, who should not be re-
employed"
The company's reply shows that in
Edgar Kudlich's mining department the
following number Of men will not be re-
emp Dyed: For charges pending, Drift
ton, 3; Derringer, IA; Gowen, Il Oneida,
S. Agitators and disturbers, Eckley, 2;
Derringer, /; Oneida, 2. Account OF
CAVERN or floods, Drifton, 4; Eckley, II.
Not until December /, Stockton, 16;
Beaver Meadow, 80. Places filed, Cow
en-, /. Total, 90.
In John Rohlands' outside and
preparation departments the following
number will not be re-employed: Under
indictment, Drfton, /; Derrnger, 3;
Oneida, 2. Account of new machinery
and curtailng force at breakers, Drift
ton, 50; Eckley, 2s; Beaver Meadow, 40;
Derrnger, 80; Oneida, SO. Places filed
at breakers, Drifton, 0; Beaver Meadow,
l. Steam men and others whose places
are filed, Drifton, 90; Beaver Meadow,
L; Oneida, z; Derringer and Gowen, 5.
Troublesome during the strike, Der
ringer breaker, /. Total, 341.
In J. III. Pennington's motive power
department the following number will
not be re-employed: Drifton, 2; Beaver
Meadow, /; Oneida, /; Derrin ger, 2;
Gowen, /. Total, 7.
Total OF all departments, 447.
The practical discharge of 447 en-
ployes, OF whom 341 are from the outside
and preparation departments, over
which John Rohands presdes, should
not pass unnoticed by those who are
following the line of action that is being
|