The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-19
STORY OF A CORRESPONDENT.
Otto Carmichael Uses Smaller Figures
than the Mine workers.

Mr. Otto Carmichael representing sew
eral newspapers, is here attending the
miners convention. Last night he sent to
his papers the following telegram:
THE writer believes that President Mitch
ell has informed his close friends in the
union that he can win the hard coal strike
If he is given 900. He says he can SuS-
tain the strike ten weeks with $4,000 a
week. The agents of the operators who
have been watching the convention very
closely admit that il Mr.. Mitchell can keep
all the mine workers in the anthracite re-
gion idle for ten weeks he can win the
strike. That would carry the strike 10 the
middle of October. and in the starvation
struggle that would mean more than the
owners could stand.
THE question now before the leaders of
the United Mine Workers of America is
how to get this money. 1t is not question
of how TO get two installments of half
million dollars each or how to provide $780,
coo a week, but how TO get $1,000 day. The
union now has in its general treasury little
less than 1000. President Mitchell says that
the national treasury should pay the nrSt
three installments of $4,000 each. These
are not the figures for publication, but the
ones used when talking cold-blooded bust
ness. After paying the first two Install
ments there would be a deficiency for the
third. but this could be made up There
remains $210. 600 according to the estimates
of the president, which must be raised by
the locals over the country. According 10
the most reliable information obtalnable
there are now a few less than lUU,OOO paid
up members of the miners unions. There
are more members, but this number is paid
up. OF these some 10000 are on strike The
exact figures of the writer's informant is
As, 40. The remainder must provide the
$4,000. This is scarcely 81 each for the
members of the union and appears a very
small sum, but most difficult for the union.
So much is lost in transit in various ways.
THE relief fund is to be available Aug.
/. Inasmuch there are $4,000 men on
strike this does not appear very large
sum for each, but those acquainted with
the necessities of the hard coal districts at
care of the most urgent cases. If the
strike fever was strong and the public in
terest in the condition of the miners great
there would not be much difficulty in pro-
Viding this line of relief But the strike
interest is surely dwindling. The reports
from the hard coal fields are not reassuring.
1t is telegTa phed here to-day that five
mines will be started next week. They are
scattered over the whole district, and the
in all of them These reports have de-
pressing effect upon those who are to raise
the strike funds.
Some of the States have reserve funds,
but it is a question as to how much of these
will be available Illinois has the largest
sum on hand, probably 100000 but II will
not let go easily. Indiana has less than
$4,000 and Ohio has the same amount. The
other subordinate treasures are practically
statements the foregoing represents the APP
proximate financial condition of the union
in the tenth week of a strike which 1t is
necessary to maintain ten weeks longer in
order to insure any betterment of the con-
dition of the $4,000 men now idle.