Omaha daily bee., 1902-06-05
MAY INVOLVE RAILROAD MEN
President Mitchell Has a Mysterious
Conference with Frank p.
Sargent.

wILKEsBARRE. Pa. June 4-There was
much speculation around strike headquar-
tiers today over the purpose Of President
Mitchell's visit to Scranton last night,
where he saw the railway union leaders.
Mr.. Mitchell returned from Scranton today
and all attempts to get him TO talk about
the nature Of his conference with Frank P.
Sargent, the chief Of the Locomotive Fire
men, was futile. All be would say was that
his call upon Sargent was merely a social
one. 1t Is believed, however, that a new
move Of some sort in which the railroaders
may be involved, is among the possibilities
OF the near future.
The entire region was quiet at starting
time. Only two places in the Wyoming
valley had any demonstration against the
men who are working the pumps. At Min
ers Mills a crowd gathered early and met
each trolley car as it came into the town.
AS the workmen got off the car under the
protection Of the coal and iron police they
were booted and called uncomplimentary
names. There was no attempt at violence
and all the men reached the several coll
lieries located there in safety.
At the Exeter mines of the Lehigh VAL
ley company, West Pittston. a small crowd
gathered and watched the men going to
work. The place is well guarded, but no
one approached the employees. There were
many women in the crowd.
The strikers claimed a few more addl-
tions to the ranks today, but in most in
stances the coal companies we're able to
supply the places Of those induced to leave.
The operators are reported to be in need
OF capable men. They can get any number
OF workmen, but those who are experienced
In ~colliery work are getting scarce. The
nanN1 ~ z.@I Il
teamsters. bosses and other men employed
around the mines at odd Jobs. has been ex-
hausted and they are now drawing upon the
%nonunion men brought into the region.
A systematic boycott of all persons and
establishments that in any way supply the
wants Of nonunion men has been inaugu-
rated and is having It's effect in bringing
men out of the mines. Men Of all ~callings,
including bartenders, butchers and grocery
clerks, ETC., are organized. A nonunion
man in most places cannot be served and II
he is the establishment is Immediately boy
cotted. Families OF ~nonunion men are con-
sequently having much trouble in buying
the necessaries Of life in stores.
EDWARDSv1LLE. June A riot broke
out this morning between several hundred
striking moulders and nonunion employees
by the American Steel & Foundry COM
pany, and as a result Ave men, two me-
gro nonunion workers, and three white
strikers, were shot, two Of the latter
fatally. At present the names of the in
iured are not obtsinable. as they were hur-
ried away to places of safety by their
friends.
The trouble broke out at 5 a. m, when a
train load Of employees of the steel COMPANY
who had not struck reached Granite City.
As the men were proceeding through a
narrow lane to their work in the mills,
they we're first threatened by the strikers
and then assailed with stones. Revolvers
we're then brought into play and several
shots were fired by both parties. Two
nonunion men. negroes, and three white
strikers, received Wounds. Two of the lat
ter were shot In the back, and It is be-
lieved they will die as the result Of their
wounds. ,.
Another account says that only three men
were wounded, as follows: y
John Burlington. aged a. shot in the
back, bullet lodging in the kidneys. condi-
ton serious -.,,i,H g. a..,y1 nara
s. 3, Mefford. aged S5,, shot in the right
arm.
Alexander Mathews, aged 30. shot in the
left leg.
between twenty-five negroes, imported to
take the place Of strikers, and the strik-
ers themselves. A warrant has been sworn
out for the arrVst OF one of the negroes.
named Bird, charging him with the shoot
ing of Burlington.
NonunIOn Men at Work,