Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-13
FEW MINERS AT WORK
Little Change in the Anthra-
cite Strike.
MEN IN GOOD SHAPE
NO SUFFERING REPORTED AMONG
THE STRIKERS.
Claims of the Operators Denied by
President Mitchell and
Others.
Special From a Staff Correspondent.

| correspondents until l 80 o'clock this morn
! ing discussing the rumors of strike settle
| ment. From every quarter these reports
| began to arrive early in the evening. The
| correspondents of the New York, Philadel-
| phia and Boston papers were deluged with
| kilograms stating that rumors were about
| of an early settlement, and asking for in
| formation from Mr.. Mitchell To all these
| President Mitchell could only sadly shake
| his head and say that news of settlement
| of the strike must come from the opera tors.
The issue was beyond him at this time, al
though he was willing to do everything
possible to meet peace overtures.
Mr.. Mitchell was frequently asked by the
metropolitan journals whether he would
settle on the basis of 10 per cent increase
in wages. To these questions he withheld
direct answer. 1t may be stated, how
ever that If the operators offer an increase
of wages and the prospect of settling some
of the minor grievances Mr.. Mitchell will
be inclined to accede. and call off the strike.
Not Sticking for Recognition.
He is not sticking now for a recognition
of the union in express terms. The union
is being recognized every day in point of
fact. When the union Is satisfied and
votes to go back to work 1t will consider
itself recognized without any mistake. So
the question is narrowed down, so far as
the mine workers are concerned, to the
betterment of their living conditions
through increased compensation for their
labor and a just standard of measure of
the quantity of their product.
Today the strike enters upon its sixth
month OF existence. Within that time 147,-
coo men. the breadwinners of a population
of bo1P hoop
off work. insisting upon a principle. They
are no more ready to go back now than
they were five months ago. For seventy
three days 5000 mintiamen have invested
one section of the anthracite region, and
yet their presence has not been sufficient
to start up one colliery at full time. The
operators are misleading the public daily
as to the output of coal from the region.
Operators Misled President.
The operators misled President Roosevelt
when they told him that 1900 men were
at work. That did not mean 1900 miners,
but included engineers, firemen, pumpmen.
outside workmen and other company en-
ployes. There are not enough certified
miners at work in the field to man one of
the big colieries completely. The coal
which is being shipped out is mostly wash
cry coal, the product Of the culm banks,
which in normal times can be bought for
80 cents a wagon load.
The operators have made every effort to
induce men to return to work They have
offered them individually sums far in ad-
vance of the increase demanded by the
union, and have agreed to board them with
In the stockades and protect their families.
But there was In the way the question Of
principle, upon which these $4,000 men
have banded themselves together and are
going to fight to the end.
The Catholic priests, who keep in touch
with every detail of humble life in this pop
ulous region. report that there Is no acute
suffering on account of the strike. The
union is relieving all cases of distress. Bank
officials estimate that there are 5000 saw
ings accounts in the region and that not l
per cent Of the money deposited has been
drawn out on account of the strike. The
doctors say that the health of the commu-
nifty was never better. The men have drop
ped liquor to large extent, and are out in
the open air. The families do not eat as
much meat, but are living vegetables
and the autumn fruit, which are plentiful
: IN the small gardens back Of the miners
cabins. So there is nothing to drive the
men back.
Why Mitchell is Confident.
So the thoughtful man can see there are
tangible reasons why Mr. Mitchell should
be confident of winning this battle. The
yielding must come from the other side, al
though, as reiterated in these dispatches.
President Mitchell will go more than half
way to meet the operators
This morning there was a general move
ment of troops throughout the region. Soon
after daybreak the regiments at the differ
ent posts We're divided into detachments,
which patrolled the entire mining region
thoroughly. The object of the movement
was to demonstrate to any miners who
might want to go back to work that there
were loaded guns and bayonets to protect
them and their families
Conficting reports Of the results of these
maneuvers are at hand. The operators
claim that an increased number of men
went to work today. Urged to give figures
they said it was "a gratifying increase"
AT strike headquarters it was stated that
reports from the several districts showed
that fewer men are at work today than at
any time since the strike began.
A big washery at Plymouth. opposite this
city and in sight of the camp of 1900 mill
tiamen, closed down this morning. The
only reports Of rioting came from Exeter,
where shots were fired into the coal and
iron police stockade during the night, but
no one was hurt
AT noon the operators claimed that five
coilleries had started up. Mr.. Mitchell de-
MED. For instance" he said. "the oper-
ators claimed that Bellevue colliery started
up. WE'LL so 1T did They hoisted two cars
OF coal and shut down. have full reports
from two Of the three anthracite districts
showing that there was no increase Of men
going to work this morning"
President Mitchell insisted this afternoon
that instead Of accessions to the working
forces there had been deaertions this MORN
Ing
He spent the day at Nhis headquarters
ready to respond to amy summons from an
the operators.