The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-24
MINES IN BAD SHAPE
LITTLE ANTHRACITE COAL TAKEN
OUT YESTERDAY.
Many Strikers Unable to Work he
cause Of Dangerous Condition In ~
Some Of the Collieries.
ENGINEERS NOT WANTED
SOME INFORMED THEIR PLACES
HAVE BEEN FILLED.
Slight Friction Between NonuniOnista
and UniOnists-Threats Of Sta
tionary Engineers.

WILKESBARRE, Pa, Oct. 23.-The re-
sumption of mining throughout the anthra-
cite region was not as general to-day as
was expected. Unlocked for difficulties
were encountered in the shape of water
and accumulated gas, and dangerous roofs
which threatened to fall and entomb the
workers were also discovered in many of
the collieries. The mine superintendents
would take no chances. and the mining of
coal was put off until all parts Of the under
ground workings can be made safe. This
will take few days yet, and in some cases
it will take weeks before some Of the mines
can be put in full operation. Although
work was carried on in some mines which
are not considered in the best Of condition.
no accidents were reported. In quite few
of the collieries the machinery and every
thing else connected with the hoisting of
coal acted badly, and it was found neces-
sary to. close down after steam had been
work. From reports received from the
entire region the number of mines in opera
tion is given a little less than two-thirds
of the total number but the output OF coal
was less than half the normal.
The Delaware, Lackawanna & Western
Company took the lead in the production
of coal. Their collieries are in better shape
companies. An increase of at least 20 per
cent. in the output may be looked for to-
morrow. About one-half of the mines of
the Delaware & Hudson Company were
working and the output of those in opera
ton was light. The mines of the Susque-
hanna Coal Company at Nanticoke were in
be worked, as the lower levels contained
considerable water. In three days, how
ever, it is expected that the output of coal
will reach the full quota. The Lehigh
N-lr al tod fx1,,
half of it's mines with full force of men.
The Lehigh & Wilkesbarre Coal Company
mined coal in several of its big mines, but
all of its collieries will not be in condition
to resume before Monday. The Kingston
Coal Company started up two of its col
lieries. The other two will start on Mon
until Monday.
AS was to be expected there was more
or less dissatisfaction among the old en-
ployes over the reopening of the mines
for a few days the men took it that the
coal companies did not want their services
and many complaints reached President
Mitchell's headquarters. But as the day
wore ON and the true situation became
known there was a better feeling ali
around. President Mitchell expects that
will be less complaints. Until all the col.
| lieries do resume there will be more or less
| idle men airing their discomfort.
1t looks as though the union engineers
| were going to have some difficulty getting
| back their old places At nearly every
mine where the striking engineers made
| application for work to-day they were told
| there were no vacancies. A large number
| OF carpenters are also out In the cold.
| delegation of carpenters waited on Presi.
| dent Mitchell to-day and told him Of their
grievances. He advised them to wait a few
| days and see If employment was not offered
| them. President Mitchell believes tina,
when general resumption takes place thers
| will be few Of the mine employees idle Ths
| firemen are being taken back In larger
| numbers than any of the steam men. Tha
| is because they are experienced and thu
men who took their places are not so ca,
| pable The only friction reported between
union and nonunion men was at several col
| lieries In the Wyoming region, where tn,
| miners objected to be lowered into tn,
| mines by nonunion men.
/ President Mitchell was busy at headQuar
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