Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-19
QUIET AT THE MINES
Strike in Anthracite Region
Going Very Quietly.
NO EFFORT TO RESUME
MEETING TO BE
HELD NEXT WEDNESDAY.
It Will Then Be Decided Whether
Pumpmen Will Be Called
Out.

HAZLETON, Pa, May 19-The second
week of the total suspension of hard-coal
mining as result of the deadlock between
miner and mine owner, began today without
the faintest ripple to disturb the calmness
of the situation A Sabbath stiffness pre-
walls everywhere. Not one of the coal COM
panies in this territory made an attempt to
start up a colliery today, and not miner
wandered near the big black breakers The
collieries and their surroundings had a
desolate appearance.
NO one was about except the engineers
firemen and pump runners, whose duty it Is
to keep the mines free from water and gas
The stablemen are looking after the mules
that have been brought to the surface after
having been in total darkness for two years,
ana the repair men are doing odd jobs of
patchwork in and about the main buildings.
For the want of something better to do,
the local miners in all the mining villages
and coal patches held meetings today At
tnese gatherings speeches were made by the
local leaders for the purpose of keeping up
the courage OF the men. New members
were taken in by some of the locals and
the matter of preparing to relieve the dis
tress in case the strike is prolonged was
discussed. The locals as a rule do NOT
furnish money, but provide coal food and
other necessaries of life as they are needed
AS lar as can be learned there have been
no Applications received by the union for
aid.
President Mitchell Busy Man.
President Mitchell was at work early to-
day on his correspondence. He had little
of Importance to impart to the group of
newspaper correspondents. When asked for
some news relating to the calling out of
the bituminous mine workers, he made the
emphatic statement that he would not say
a nr1 fli,1cr
tion. The first announcement of any kind
that he will make bearing on that subject
would be the formal issuance of the call for
the special national convention which is
desired by the three anthra cite districts
He will not issue that call until he has re-
ceiVed the petition of two additional dis
tricts needed to make up the five that are
necessary under the laws of the United
Mine Workers Organization to call a con-
vention.
His proposed trip to Spring Valley. H..
at the end Of the present week will be for
the purpose of visiting his family and to
prepare for probable long stay in this
region.
His intention to visit national headouar-
ters at Indianapolis on his return trip, he
said, had no significance at all. He said
he expects to be in the east for some time.
and he wants to close up some official bust
ness at Indianapolis.
Meeting on Wednesday.
On Wednesday the executive board of the
three anthracite districts will meet Jointly
at W1lkesbarre to go over the situation.
The most important matter to be consider
ed at the meeting will be the advisability
Of calling out the engineers, f1remen and
pumpmen, which matter has been left to
the discretion of the board. 1t is known
that the operators will oppose such move.
as they Will not permit their property to
become damaged if they can prevent it,
Several of the small Independent operators,
whose relation with the mine workers is
Of friendly nature, but who cannot ac-
cede to the demands Of the union unless
the large coal companies do the same, have
requested the labor leaders not to include
the engineers, firemen and pumpmen if a
strike is ordered calling out this class of
labor The leaders, it is said, could give
them no definite answer. President Mitch
ell will establish strike headquarters at
Wilkesbarre tonight. He will leave this
city at 7:42 p.m