Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-05-10
A GENERAL STRIKE
Of the Anthracite Miners Is
Ordered for Monday.
Question Of Its Permanently Will Be
Decided Next Wednesday,
Not a ShoveIfuI of Coal Will Be Mined.
Monday. X

Scranton. Pa, May "a general
strike of the miners Of the anthracite
region has been ordered for Monday
next. but the order has reserve quail
fication attached. The question as to
whether the strike is to be made per-
manent Is left TO the decision Of a con-
vention Of delegates Of all the local or
9aniz3tiOns of the mine workers to be
held at Hazleton, next Wednesday.
The miners executive committee Of
the three districts met, this morning,
and had 3-hOurs session. At its con-
clusion President Mitchell gave out the
following statement:
Replies TO our proposition TO sub
NIT the entire question in dispute TO an
impartial board of arbitration nave
been received from President Baer Of
the Philadelphia &s Reading, Chairman
Thomas of the Erie Railroad, President
Truesdale Of the Lackawanna, and
President ELEPHANT Of the Delaware &,
Hudson. all of whom refuse to join US
in the adjustment Of the differences
between us by the methods we pro-
pose"
At 40 o'clock the committee again
assembled ana remained i'll session I'M
til 80 o'clock. When the session con-
GUIDED President Mitchell prepared Il
statement ana assembling the news
paper men read TO them as follows:
TO the Anthracite Mine Workers Of
Pennsylvania:
"Gentlemen-The executive commit
tee Of the anthracite mine workers who
were delegated by the Shamokin con-
ventiOn to represent you in the nego-
tiations with the railroad presidents
and mine operators for the purpose Of
obtaining increased wages, shorter
hours and better conditions Of employ
meut have exhausted all peaceable.
cOncliatoTy and honorable means at
their command and have failed to Sc
cure any concessions Of a tangible ma
ture. and while under the resolutions
adopted by the ShamOkin convention
authority was vested in the executive
committee should they fail in the ne
gotiations TO inaugurate a strike at
whatever time in their Judgment held
out the greatest promise of success, the
committees after three days serious de-
liberation feel that in justice to the
anthracite mine workers and those de-
pendent upon them. before general
should be further considered by defe-
gate convention. in which representa-
tives from the various local unions shall
he fully instructed by their constituents
and prepared to vote in favor of or in
to a complete cessation of
work.
I In the meantime all persons en-
ployed in or around the collieries.
-, .ir r-ia
instructed to temporarily abstain from
beginning with May u ana
continuing thereafter until final de-
cision is reached by a delegate conven-
ton. which will convene, May IA, at
Hazleton.
The basis of representation in this
shall be one vote for each
100 members and one vote for each adj
ditional 100 members.
THE instructions for all men to sus-
pend work. Monday. does not include
fremen. engineers. pump men and other
labor necessary to preserve the prop
critics Of the operators"
There is not a particle of question
Dut that the miners will religiously obey
the order and that on Monday next not
so much as a shovelfuI of coal will be
mined in the Lackawanna valley.
Philadelphia, May 9.-President George
F. Baer Of the Philadelphia & Reading
Railroad CO., refused to make any COM
ment when he was informed by The As
sociated Press. tonight, that the miners
at Scranton had decided
to call a general strike to begin Monday
He did not appear to be in the least dis
turbed. 1t is not unlikely that he will bc
in command of the Operators side of the
struggle. .aiExs3gfE3ZJ
THE LAWRENCE STRIKE.