New-York tribune., 1902-05-18
MAY SETTLE STRIKE.
MITCHELL HOPEFUL OF SUCCESS IN
THIS DIRECTION-MEANI OF
SOFT COAL THREAT.
Try TELEGRAPH TO THE rR1puxE.l

tBT TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNEl
Hazeton, Penn. May 17.-President Mitchell is
still hopeful that within the next few days the
operators will offer such concessions that the
strike may be ended. 1t was given out on good
authority to-day that this is the reason the fire
men, pumpmen and engineers are not called
out, and also the cause for the threat that all
the soft coal workers might he asked to join the
strike. Mitchell is of the opinion that if he can
show the operators he has power to win by
moderation. he did by the long fight against
the declaration of a strike, by keeping the
steam makers at work. and can also convince
them of the great power within his hands to
accomplish strike of all the soft coal workers,
II will move to conciliatory measures
Already Senator Hanna and Ralph Easley,
retary Of the Civic Federation. work upon
a plan from which they hope TO win success,
and within the next week they may arrange
another conference between the operators and
mine workers. and at it propose measures salts
factory to both. The decided objection mani
tested in the convention against a strike makes
it apparent that the mine workers will be sat
isfed with much less than the 20 per cent in
crease they ask and that an offer will be
sidered eagerly by the miners. President Mitch
ell refused to speak on the matter, and the other
leaders had nothing to say. There is always
hope" said one and will at any time con-
slider any plan for bringing about settlement"
What is the plan proposed cannot he learned,
but the fact that the operators were taken by
surprise when the strike was declared shows
that they depended on Mitchell 10 avert it, and
that he felt certain he would be able to. An Of
ficial who is close to the situation said:
The miners simply got away from Mitchell,
ana ne early saw that il would be d bad move
for him to tighten the rein, as it would have
Jeopardized his position He received no
tice from large body of miners early in the
week Of the Scranton conference that they
thought be had given the operators enough
time, and If he dallied much longer they would
act for themselves, and strike without the sane
tlon OF the union. He saw that he could not
hold them, ard then tried his best to get even
small concession from the operators but il was
useless. They thought a strike was impossi-
Die and that they had the miners frightened and
beaten. Consequently. that a strike is on
they may have changed their views and with
the good offices Of the Civic Federation and Sen
ator Hanna IL is believed that concessions may
be granted. This Is the hope that holds Mitchell
now, otherwise he would have allowed the con-
Eention 10 call out the mine workers. engineers
HTemen and pumpmen, and force che strike to
quick conclusion and victory for the union. or
nave learned ii was 10 be long fight, with the
outcome doubtful.
, he call for a soft coal strike is not considered
seriously by the operators or business men Of
the region, because it is believed the bitumnous
workers, except in few disafected districts.
would refuse to strike, having nothing to gain
and everything to lose strike here means
more work for them. The plan for a general
strike is classed as absurd, and il is not believed
that Mitchell has any faith in It.
President Mitchell spent the day in conference
with the soft coal men and opera tors who came
here from the Illinois district because they have
not been able to come to an agreement with
each other. What the difficulties are President
Mitchell would not state declaring that ali that
is to be made public IS the announcement wheth-
er they reach agreement or not He stated
to-day that there will be no permanent strike
headquarters and that during the strike he will
spend his time between Scranton, Wikesbarre.
Hazleton and Pottsville and thus keep in close
touch with all parts of the region and be able
go wherever his presence is most necessary
Reports received at headquarters here to-day
are that a large number of foreigners are leav-
others Tor the soft coal fields and the farms or
New-Jersey and New-York. No trouble is
ported at place. but there is fear that At
effort will be made to work some Of the wash
the local demand for coal and then there may
be conflict with the non-uniOn men. The
district leaders warned their to argu-
ment with these workers and TO he careful that
violence is caused by either side Reports re
ceived show that the operators evidently
preparing for long siege and that all the mules
quantities of feed being purchased for their use.
Many Of the mules have not been to the sur
face in years. and their antics when turned into
a field funny and pathetic. They have little
idea of space and cannot understand how it is
possible to prance about in any direction and
not butt into a wall They unable to
they become accustomed to the springy turf and
realize that they may walk upon ii. 1t takes
still longer to accustom them to grass and they
sniff and sniff the air for hours before they
breathe naturally. After a day two when
unafrad of the strange surroundings, they be-
gin to enjoy it. They like children at play.
tba frs nj IA