Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-17
THE MINERS STRIKE
Everything Quiet in the An
thracite Regions.
BOTH SIDES WAITING
MORE TALK OF STRIKE IN BIrUM-
INoUs REGION.
President Mitchell Engaged in Settling
a Dispute Which Arose at
Springfield, Ill.
BOTH SIDES WAITING

HAZLETON, Pa, May 17.-President
Mitchells time this morning was given up
almost entirely to consideration of the local
difficulty at the bituminous mines at
Springfield, H. The conference last night
with the Illinois operators, headed by Her.
man Justi of Chicago. president of the nli-
nois Co-operators' Association and the DEL
egation of mine workers from the same
state. headed by w. R. Russell of Danville,
president of the Illinois state organization,
lasted until after midnight
The operators have a yearly contract with
the miners and they desire to renew it.
Messrs. Justi and Russell acting for their
respective sides, could not agree on several
points and 1t was decided to submit the
matter to President Mitchell Each SIDE
was heard last night and the settlement of
the disputed points was left to w w
keefer of Danville, operator, and Mr.
Mitchell. They are now trying to reach a
settlement. Both sides say the matter will
be Strengthened out today. A strike had
been ordered there, but the order was re-
scinded pending the present negotiations
Thrty-hve hundred men are involved
All Quiet at Hazleton.
The regions hereabouts were very quiet
today and every one is patiently awaiting
developments. President Mitchell was fire.
quently interrupted during his conference
with the soft coal men by calls to the tele-
phone Most of these consultations have
been with district leaders in the field
He said that he has had no communica-
uon with any one regarding the settlement
OF the strike. He has received no word. he
said, from Senator Hanna or any other
member OF the civic federation
me operators have refused our de-
mands," he continued, I'VE have quit work
and 1t is now up to the other side
The operators also appear to be awaiting
developments The mine owners in this re-
gion say that they have shut down indefi-
nitely and will not attempt to start un their
coll1erfes. They feel that enough men could
be secured from the miners ranks to par
tally resume work, but this they fear would
bring on strife, which they declare they
want to avert.
Talk of Bituminous Strike.
The Illinois bituminous operators were
again eesieged for their opinions on the
plan of the anthracite men to call out the
soft coal workmen. They reiterate that It
would be difficult to accomplish such a
thing. There might be sporadic strikes, but
not general suspension. Mr. Justi said
he believed that the soft coal men general
ly would aid their fellows in this region.
mainly In financial way. He also said
that the United Mine Workers would be
making mistake in breaking their agree
ment with the soft coal operators as thew
would be losing in the bituminous region
one of the things they are fighting for in this
territory, namely, a yearly wage agreement
Mr. Jusu said that the Illinois system Of
treating with the miners and the entering
into an agreement with the union is the
best now in existence and he would like to
see the anthracite miners and the coal
presidents adopt the same system here I'm
til this is done, he said, there will always
be trouble.
Pumpmen Will Not Strike.
POTTSVILLE, Pa, May 17.-Supt Luth-
er of the Philadelphia and Reading Coal
and Iron Company says his company does
not fear strike of the engineers and pump
men at the collieries. as there are sufficient
bosses on hand to run the pumps The
flooding of the mines would mean a loss
of over 81 100000 to the company, and since
strike has been threatened the foremen
at the mines have been carefully trained
in the duties of the pumpmen. The leader
bosses. who were excluded from the miners
union three months ago, may also run the
pumps in case of an emergency.
BALTIMORE. May 1.-THE Baltimore
coal exchange has decided to advance the
price of anthra cite coal to so cents a ton
for immediate delivery This, the dealers
allege. has been made necessary by the
strike of the miners in the PENNSYLVANIA
coal region. Officers of the exchange saw
that there is not enough coal in Baltimore
to last sixty days and that no orders will
be received now for winter consumption.
CHICAGO, May 17.-Chicago is feeling
the effects of the coal miners strike Deal
ers in anthracite coal have received orders
from New York to advance prices almost 10
per cent AS result the price of hard
coal has been advanced from s6S5 a ton to