Omaha daily bee., 1902-09-03
SElRMISH ENRAGES MINERS
Fight that Succeeded Firing Of Nins Nay
Have Serious Sequel.
srRKEhs NOW WISH TROOPS RETAINED
Petition Governor white of West vir-
afhlA 10 Leave Them at ThurmOnd
as They Are More Friendly
Than Guards.

BRAMwELL. w. Va, Sept. 2.-The sit
uation 10 the Flat Top coal field is ex-
tremely critical and the skirmish between
the strikers and the guards at the Poca-
hontas collieries this morning. after the
firing Of the mine by the strikers, has
greatly enraged the miners, from the fact
that a humber Of their side were severely
injured. Adjutant General Baker, who has
been in this section for a few days look
ing over the territory, left last midnight
for other fields, informing the operators
before he left, however, that he thought
the presence Of the militia unnecessary at
that time. The outbreaks Of this morning,
however, will probably cause a change In
his mind, and It Is thought here that be-
fore tomorrow night troops will either be
in the Flat Top region or enroute. Tonight
the Pocahontas Galleries company have
the FIRE in their mine practically extin-
guished. but that company has doubled It's
force OF guards. as another attack is
feared at any hour. Many shots have been
fred from ambush toward the direction OF
nonunion miners going to and from work
in the Flat Top field.
CHARLESTON, w. Va. Sept. Judge
Keller today opened his court, heard the
preliminary motions In the contempt cases
against the strikers arrested at Rend and
adjourned the hearing Of the main issue
to the first day Of the regular term here,
December 8. The defendants are charged
with violating the injunction issued by
Judge Keller at the suit Of the Chesapeake
and Ohio Coal Agency company.
wish Troops to Remain.
Governor White is in receipt Of the fol-
lowing;
Troops are now located at Thurmord to
preserve order. They were sent there At
the instance OF our sheriff, and while upon
investigation IL appears that the call for
troops was unnecessary and utter folly,
yet we as miners are glad to have them.
sympathy with our cause and look upon
the men working with the same contempt
that we do. heretofore the guards around
Of outrages on our people. Since the
troops have come this has stopped and we
viii not suffer while, they. are here. We
them until the strike ends.
The resolution bears the names Of the
officers and the seal Of the miners organi-
cation.
It Is supplemented by, the following: "At
a meeting of local union 442, United Mine
Workers OF America, 400 miners petition
you to send troops to winona, on Keen
er's creek, to preserve order until the
strike is ended"
HARRISBURG, Pa, Sept. 2.-Governor
Stone has made an appointment for Thurs
day noon to meet a committee from the
state Legislative board Of railroad en-
ployes Of Pennsylvania to intercede with
the executive in behalf Of the striking an
thracite coal miners. The committee will
request the governor to take immediate
steps to bring the strike to a close and II
necessary, to call an extra session Of the
general assembly for the enactment OF leg
islation making arbitration compulsory
PIatt stands by Statement.
NEW YORK, Sept. 1.-THE Evening Posi-
today has, the following:
Senator Plat refused today to give any
further information about his statement oil
several days ago that the coal strike would
be ended in two weeks. @""tA- 80
II stand By the statement. and fakh6w
what l Am talking about he said, ''but
can't satisfy your curiosity any further
Just now" q