Omaha daily bee., 1902-06-02
If Employers Succeed 1t Means Union Has
Reached Its Limit.
WILL Be PoWERLEss IN MINING REGION
Should Strikers Gain Day Operators Will
Suffer Millions in Loss.
VICTORY TO EITHER WILL AID SETTLEMENT
Both sides Arc InhexibIe, but De-
fection of Pumpmen Refusing to
strike Makes IL Bad for
Workmen.

NlLhbobAhhEs Fdss June L. NC eve
Of what is regarded a most important week
in the progress OF the anthracite coal
miners strike. finds the entire region in
an apprehensive mood At o'clock to-
morrow morning the order Of the United
Mine Workers OF America calling out all
the stationary engineers. hremen and
pumpmen unless the companies grant them
an eight-hour work day at present wages.
will 90 into effect and no one can foreteli
the outcome Of the new move.
Victory for either side will be Of i'm
mense advantage and both parties to the
controversy are striving with all the power
at their command 20 win. II the union
succeeds in shutting down the companies
the mine properties will suffer damage
that may reach into millions Of dollars and
If the employers should be able to keep
the water out Of their works without the
aid Of organized labor II means that the
power OF the union in the mining region
has reached its limit and that all help
in the effort to force the mine owners to
grant the demands for the army Of 1000
men must come from some outside source.
Both sides Firm.
The mine workers say they will preserve
the property of the companies, II the en-
gineers. pumpmen and nremen are given
what they ask for and the companies say
they will permit no outsiders to nx the
hours and wages of their men. Neither
side tonight shows the slightest disposition
to yield and in the words OF mining super
intendent tits a fight to a finish"
President Mitchell said tonight that this
is the hrst time In the history Of his or
ganization that the union was compelled to
call out this class OF employees and en-
ha of ha min
There is a fear throughout the coal
belt that the coming week will witness
more or less serious disturbances. To-
morrow is looked upon by we'll informed
persons a critical day. but 1t is not be-
lieved that any very serious trouble will
occur. II is a fact that the labor leaders
have counselled the strikers to remain
quiet and commit no violation Of the law.
II is claimed by the union that nearly all
Of the pumpmen and fremen will quit work
and about three fourths CT the engineers
will refuse to continue work. This claim
was privately admitted today by a COM
pany oficial familiar with the situation
To Bring Pressure ON Men.
While the plans OF the union have not
been made public, II is known that a thor
ough system has been mapped out with
a view OF getting out those men who will
refuse to quit tomorrow. A house to house
canvass will be started which no doubt
will have considerable effect.
The methods which have been adopted
with regard to the nonunion men who will
take the places Of the strikers is not known.
Practically all the nonunion men to be
employed are now in the region. The com
panies say the number Of those who have
volunteered to NIL strikers places has been
Ill
has been encountered In selecting good
men.
An army of approximately 5000 armed
policemen sworn In under a law OF the
state is In the field tonight ready to pro-
tect these men and the mining properties,
there are also scattered throughout the
country, II s said. about 1000 men who are
doing secret work for the companies.
Every colliery in the coal belt has either
board or a barbed wire fence around It.
At some Of the mines 'camp" cars are
lying on the siding for the accommodation
OF the nonunion men, most OF whom will
live within the colliery confines during
the suspension.
Idle Miners Are Incensed.
journey through the thickly populated
parts of this ((wyoming) district today
found that the idle mine workers are
greatly ineensed at the importation Of
strangers. Those workmen who have de-
cided TO remain at work tomorrow also
came in for considerable condemnation.
II was extremely quiet around strike
headquarters today. President Mitchell
spent the day In going over correspondence
His only visitors were Sheriff Charles II
Schadt OF Laekawanna county. In which
Scranton is located, and a friend of the
sheriff.
There were some speculations regarding
the object OF the visit, but Mr.. Mitchell
said the sherir was an old friend and his
visit was merely a social one. Sheriff
Schadt today posted a notice at each col
liery in Lackawanna county. warning al
persons not employed at the mines to keeT
away from those properties and not to vio-
late the law in any way.
Tomorrow marks the beginning OF the
fourth week OF suspension OF mine work
Mr.. Mitchell said he was well satisfied
with the progress OF the strike. He had
nothing to say regarding the probability
OF calling out OF the bituminous miners.
At the meeting OF engineers. foremen
and pumpmen in the collieries OF the sus-
quehanna Coal company. Alden Coal COM
pany and the two collieries OF the Della
ware, Lackawanna a Western Coal com
pany, held at Nantieoke today II was de
eided by vote OF about two to one moi
TO strike. About seventy men attended
the meeting.
Special Omcers on Ground.
HAZLEToN, Pa, June 1.-The severa
hundred special oficers brought here las
night for guard duty were distributed q
the mines today. They will be housed auC
boarded at the breakers. Public sentimen
here is against the officers and the labo
union today made an effort TO induce tn
waiter girls az the hotel. where the mel
stopped over night, to strike. The girl
are still at work. Some OF the mine work
ers leaders seem TO think that these ar
nonunion nremen and pump runners.
The mine workers have issued orders 4
engineers. hremen and pump runners VIII,
remain from their posts to report at head
quarters tomorrow. In this way the uniol