The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-06-06
ENGINEERS AND PUMPMER
CALLED OUT
BOTH SIDES CLAIM VICTORY
Striker. Say Eighty Per Cent
Obeyed the Cali-Coal Operators
ClafmThfs Estimate Too High-The
Too Soon to Judge the Result Of
This Move of the Strfkers-Inex-
perienced Men Running the Pumps.

Wilkesbarre, Pa, June 2-The order
Of the United Mine Workers OF Ameri-
ca. calling out on strike all engineers.
hremen and pumpmen employed at COL
ieries where the eight-hour work day
at present wages was not granted, went
into effect today. and, as has been pre-
dicted, a majority OF the men obeyed
the order. Neither side can claim a
victory at this time, because the strug-
gle on this phase OF the anthracite min
ers' strike has just opened. There was
only a partial showing OF strength to-
day. The real test OF whether OF not
the mine pumps shall be manned will
begin tomorrow. Although a majority
OF the men quit work, the companies,
generally speaking. succeeded in keep
ing their pumps in operation.
The operators feel al present h a
they have an advantage, but they are
not sc sanguine of the future. The ex-
act number of men who quit today can
not be obtained. Each side refuses 10
make public its figures, but gave out
information that roughly estimates the
number of men affected. These esti-
mates are far apart.
National President Mitchell, OF the
miners union, gave out a statement in
which he says:
Reports received from every impor-
tant mining community indicate that
where the eight-hour day has not been
conceded fully so per cent. of the fire
men, pumpmen and engineers have
ceased work. The number will be mate
rally increased tomorrow. In some
sections mine foremen have positively
declined to perform the work Of engi-
neers. firemen and pumpmen. In some
places foremen have manned the pumps
and clerks have also been required to
perform this labor.
"A perfect army of irresponsible men
have been employed by the coal compa-
MES to act as coal and iron policemen.
THE services of these men are unnec-
eSSary, and their presence unwarranted.
There have been no violations today by
the mine workers n 1 am sanguine
there will be no over acts on the part OF
the strikers"
of one OF the largest coal companies
who received accurate information from
the entire Goa belt. made this state
ment:
President MitchelPs estimate is too
high. We have received figures from
all our collieries and the general super
intendents Oh all the other coal compa-
MES, but they are not to be given out;
it would not be policy to reveal our
weak spots or to betray our strong
holds,a far as they relate to the collier
les individually. I can, however, say
that abou 65 pei cent. of all the Lehigh
Valleys men who were scattered from
naar Scranton down IN Sha mOEan- ygRn 4
out. The Reading Company, with forty
collieries in the lower region, was the
worst sufferer. more than 20 per cent.
of its men refusing to go to work. The
individual companies all lost more than
so per cent of their men.
Notwithstanding the big desertion of
men every coliery in the entire region
hat made the effort was able to get up
steam and maintain it. We are salts
fed, under the circumstances, with the
ituation as it exists at present, and
we don't care to boast of our future
ability to keep the mines from flooding.
The companies have nearly all the men
they want for present needs. We o
for intimidation of our men by the strik-
ers, but we will go rigt along and pro-
tect u employees and property as best
we cam"
Considering the vast number of men
who are idle the coal field was very
quiet throughout the day. Reports
came in from several sections telling of
disturbances, but these were OF a mi
nor nature only.
Early this morning and this evening
some workmen were stoned, principally
by boys, as they were on their way
from the mines to their homes. The
small army of coal and iron policemen
which is in the field are not much in
evidence. The companies have INSTRUCT
"A &In-o MAN fhot in order fO avoid
trouble, they must not make themselves
conspicuous.