The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-05-30
THEY WONT BE
RElNSTATED
MEN WHO QUIT WORK MONDAY
CAN'T GET BACK.
One Of the Big Coal officials Says
They Will Take Their Jobs with
Them--No Difficulty in Keeping
the Mines Clear Of Water Is Ex-
pected-Belief That Only Small
Percentage Of Men Will Quit.
The Eight Hour Demand May Be
Withdrawn.

Withdrawn.
The officials of the big coal companies
operating mines in and around this city
seemed more convinced than ever yes
terday that very few of the engineers,
pumpmen and firemen will obey the
strike order issued by President Mitch
ell, calling upon them to quit work next
Monday.
A Tribune man had an extended in
terview yesterday with the superintend-
ent Of one of the big coal companies.
You can say" said he, that every
engineer, fireman or pumprunner who
quits work next Monday and deserts
the company at this critical time will
take his job with him. Under no con-
sideraton will any Of these men be
taken back. Some will undoubtedly quit,
but we don't expect any serious diff
Guilty. The majority of these men, more
particularly the engineers, are going to
stand by us. OF that we are convinced.
"The miners belief that they could
coerce us into yielding because Of the
possibility of our mines being flooded
was not based on a knowledge of the
real situation. Even should they all
quit we would be able to run our en-
gines and our pumps. We do not pro-
pose to let our mines get flooded and
anybody who thinks we do has another
guess coming. Ever since the strike
began we have been keeping at each
colliery anywhere from twelve to fifteen
monthly men on our y-rOlis-fOremen,
firebosses. and the like.
"These men have been kept in readl-
ness for any emergency and they will
be put at work on Monday to take the
places of any of the men who may quit.
am inclined to think that the men
who may go out on Monday will be
principally firemen. The engineers seem
to be practically opposed to the strike
order. They are men who have worked
themselves up to their present places
after long and hard years of toll. and
they see no good reason why they
should quit without any grievance"
1t was learned yesterday from Della
ware, LacNa wanna and Western official
that that company will begin operations
at one of it's breakers just as soon as a
sufficient number Of men will volunteer
to go back to work. A number have
already signifled a desire to go back,
but not sufficient number to warrant
the starting of one OF the collieries
The Delaware, Lacla wanna and West
ern company is operating its Diamond,
Bellevue and Hampton washeries every
other day. but the coal washed out is
being used entirely at the company's
several collieries. 1t was given out yes
terday from the company's office that
no attempt will be made for the present
to furnish coal from any of the wash
cries to outside interests.
President r. D. Nichols, of District
No. !, United Mine Workers of Amer
lea, who has charge of the local end of
the strike. said yesterday that there
was no possibility of the strike order
being withdrawn. as requested by the
joint meeting of engineers. pumprun-
ners and firemen held in West Scran-
ton on Wednesday,
WILL NOT BE WITHDRAWN.
This order could only be withdrawn
at joint meeting Of the three eXecu-
tive boards said he. similar to the
one which issued it. Such a meeting
has not been called. nor will be called,
as far as l know. I still think that the
strike order will be generally obeyed,
but if it is not. I am inclined to favor
the withdrawal of the demand for the
eight-hour day for the engineers, pump
runners and firemen."
President Nichols refused TO give out
for publication the resolutions adopted
at the West Scranton meeting.
1t was stated yesterday in Il morning
paper that the Sauquoit silk mill would
be obliged to shut down because of a
lack of fuel. Manager Davis denied this
statement yesterday.
I'VE have no intention OF shutting
down the mill permanently" said he.
"because we have two months supply
Of coal on hand We shut down today
and will remain shut until Monday be-
cause of the annual boiler inspection.
There's no truth in the story at ALL"
The Erie company is making prepar-
ations for the fencing of all their col
lieries in Dunmore. Lines We're staked
yesterday at No. shaft A fence eight
feet high, surmounted by two strands
of barb wire, is to be built, all of which
looks like anything but an early settle
ment of the present trouble.
HAVE CONCEDED.
The following is from the Hazleton
Item of Wednesday,:
1.-The st. Clair Coal company, oper-
ators of the second largest individual
colliery in the Schuylkill region, have
granted the demands of the pumpmen,
engineers, etc, for an eight-hour day
at the same wages during the present
strike and agree to grant any conces-
sions accorded the men at the expir-
alton OF the strike by the other oper-
ators. The men have accepted the offer.
1.-The operators of the Il. White COM
pany at Wadesville, a mile from st.
Clair, have also granted the same con-
cessions. This colliery has not shipped
any mined coal since the December
flood. and We're it to fill up now it would
never be reopened.''
A joint meeting of Local unions Nos.
1910. 1923 and 1924, of Priceburg, will be
held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock in
the Dickson City borough building to
formulate ways and means for bringing
the engineers. firemen and pumprunners
In that part of the district into line
before next Monday.