Waterbury Democrat., 1902-06-03
NEWPHASEOF STRIKE
Mine Engineers, Bremen and
 Pumpmen Go Out.
ORDER OBEYED BY 4 MAJORITY.
President Mitchell Claims Eighty Per Cent of the Hands Have Struck. Operators Confident of Ability
 to Protect Their Property.

WILKESBARRE, Pa, June 3.-The order of the United Mine Workers of America calling out on strike all en-
 gineers, fremen and pumpmen em- ployed at collieries where the eight
 hour workday with present wages was not granted went into effect yesterday,
 and as had been predicted majority
 of the men obeyed the order. Neither side can claim a victory at this time
 because the struggle on this phase of the anthracite coal miners strike has just opened. There was only par tial showing of strength
 Although a majority of the men quit
 work, the companies, generally speak ing, succeeded in keeping their pumps
 in operation. The operators feel that
 at present they have the advantage,
 but they are not so sanguine of the
 future The exact number of men who
 quit cannot be obtained. Each side re-
 fuses to make public their figures but gave out information that roughly es- inmates the number of men affected. These estimates are far apart.
 National President Mitchell of the miners union gave out 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 80 per cent of the fire men, pumpmen and engineers have ceased work. The number will be ma terially increased. Tn some sections mine foremen have positively declined to perform the work of engineers, fire men and pumpmen. In some places fOremen have manned the pumps, and clerks have also been required to per form this labor.
 "A perfect army of irresponsible men have been employed by the coal com panies to act as coal and iron police men. The services of these men are unnecessary and their presence unwar- ranted. There have been no violations by the mine workers, and I am san guine there will be no overt acts on the part of the strikers '
 On the other hand, mining official of one of the largest coal companies who received accurate information from the entire coal belt makes this statement:
 President NIitchell's estimate is too high. We have received figures from all our collieries and the general super intendents of all other coal companies, but they are not to be given out, as it would not be policy to reveal our weak spots or to betray our strongholds as far as they relate to the collieries indi- vidually.
 Notwithstanding the big desertion of men every colliery in the entire re zion that made the effort was able to get up steam and maintain it. We are satisfied under the circumstances with the situation as it exists at present, and we do not care to boast of our flu ture ability to keep the mines from flooding. The companies have nearly all the men they want for present needs. We look for intimidation of our men by the strikers, but we will go right along and protect our employees and property as best we can."
 Considering the vast number of men who are idle, the coalfield is very quiet. Reports have come in from several sec tions telling of disturbances, but these are of minor nature only.