The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-05-16

last to be called, answered Yes it was
seen that the men who favored a fight
had won. The result was received by
the convention with applause, Whicn,
however, was not very enthusiastic OF
prolonged. The men appreciated the
seriousness of their decision, which 10
doubt dampened their ardor.
The miners insist that nearly all the
engineers, firemen and pump runners
belong to their organization, and say
that they can get them all to quit il
they want to.
From the gossip of the delegates it is
expected that the proposition to call out
the mine engineers firemen and pump
runners, thus endangering the safety of
the mines, viii meet with as much oppo-
S1tlOn as did the motion to make the
strike permanent Those who advocated
a rule, in favor of calling out these men.
They argue that the mare the mine own
ers are inconvenienced and harassed the
sooner they Will weaken and grant the men
some slight cOnceSsiO The more con-
servative mine workers fear that to call
out the protectors OF the mines would be
a boomerang that might prove extremely
costly to the miners. It is argued by them
tnaU the United Mine workers organ1za-
ton has ali along favored the policy of
assisting the companies in protecting
their property.
One delegate said this morning: u am
against calling out the engineers. fire
men and pump-runners because I believe
the union should protect property rather
than stang py and see. It 90 to destruc-
ton. If the convention decides to call out
the men ana the companies fall TO fill
tnelr places nearly every mine IN the
region will be filled with water, which
would mean tremendous loss to the own
ers. 1t would take months to pump out
this water and in many cases the flood
ing OF the workings would ruin tlem be-
yond all repair. Another danger would be
the accumulation of gases. After the
strike is over and the water had been
pumped out, the men would run a great
risk in entering the mines.'
If the convention decides to call out
the engineers, flreInen and pump-runners,
It is not certain that the order would be
obeyed by all of this class of mine work
erS- The union officials say that most of
them belong to the union, but this is de-
MED by the firemen, who insist that their
organization which Is a separate one. lis
quite strong numerically" The firemen' s
union has somewhat complicated the Sit
uatlOn by proposing to the mine workers
that they will go out voluntarily if the
latter viii back them up in the demands
that they may make upon the operators.
The miners officials have refused to COM
init themselves on this proposition and it
viii likely be fought out on the floor of
the convention.
President Mitchell stated most emphat-
ically today that the report that a tele-
gram from Senator Hanna was read in
the convention before the vote was taken
on the strike question is absolutely un-
true. Mr.. Mitchell also brands as false
the statement tn At he had been visited
by Il representative of Senator Hanna
with the proposition that the miners ac
cept a per cent increase in wages.
11,000 MEN LAID OFF.
Buffalo, n. Y, May 16.-About 1000
coal handlers have been laid off by the
leading coal roads in Buffalo owing to
the strike in the anthracite coal fields.
COAL GOES UP.
New York, May 16.-The retail coal
dealers of this city advanced the price
Of anthracite coal 81 a ton today as a
result of the order for a continuation of
the miners strike