Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1902-08-04
SIDE LIGHTS ON
Big COAL STRIKE
FRO mthe Toledo Blade. ]

Hazleton, Pa, July 15.-With less
than one.fourth OF the strikers in the
hard coal districts members Of the
union and the certainty that many
would like to return to work, one nat.
urally wonders why those not entirely
content with union rule do not break
away. The answer to this develops an
interesting phase of neighborhood life
OF the anthracite region. AS long as
the ruling spirit of the community ia.
vors the strike 1t is almost impossible
to induce the men to go to work. Not
only is 1t unpleasant and almost UNI
bearable to return to work and face
the gibes and scorn of his neighbors,
but life for the deserter and his family
becomes almost intolerable. Even II
the deserter can bear the derisive
cries OF his neighbors, that is only the
least of his troubles. Perhaps seeing
himself hung in effigy does not greatly
bother him, and he can allay his wife,
fears when she learns that an open
grave has been kindly provided for
lhoSt VIM W. NV oppioNt VI hin
course. He will find later on that the
persecution will take most practical
forms.
II he has a little garden the vege'
tables will be uprooted. The front gate
of his little home will be carried
away and stones SHE'D through the
windows. II his wife should leave the
family washing up after dark the
white clothes will be smeared with
mud or perhaps something worse. He
surely must expect to be rushed by
marchers and this is not at all pleas.
ant. The rushing is done by tapping
him with clubs, swetching him or
punching him. Perhaps a couple OF
lusty fellows will bend him over a
stone fence face down and let the won.
en- whip him on the most available
place. This is not calculated to Inn
prove a mans social standing. II is
true that the mine owners protect the
men with police and soldiers after re-
sumption and the union leaders them
selves try to prevent these abuses, but
the deserter fully knows that he will
get some or all of them. The amount
OF punching that goes on in the course
of a strike settlement is something
amazing. One is rather inclined to ad
mire the way II is given and taken. Tic
men are not malicious. They are rath
er inspired by holy fervor, and think
they are helping along the cause In
the only possible way.
The breaker boys are the most pes
tiferous. They swarm around desert
ers like bees and disappear in the
fields and woods when the police
come. In times of strikes one sees the
big mines enclosed in heavy oakeT
walls, which are laced and threaded
with barb wire. These are not to pro
tect the mines against organized as
saults, but to keep out the peskI
breaker boy, the irresponsible rustler
and hastily formed mobs when thu
strike reaches an acute stage.
There have been only one or tive
demonstrations of violence and non'
are tADttttu III Solht tiIhNs '" hNa
they do come they are mainly expe
dents to keep up the courage OF tn
strikers. They do but little damage
generally, although II not restrained
are rough on deserters. This is ais
for the effect upon the others. Thi
mild description is perhaps not true o
the women. They would like to tea
their victims to pieces.
John Mitchell, president OF the Uni
ed Mine Workers of America, is one Q
the ablest labor leaders of the day
There Is more horse sense and bus
ness capacity about him than most c
the leaders. He is OF the same typ
as Mahlon Garland, whose conservi
tive and wise administration brougl
the Amalgamated Association OF sro
and Steel Workers up to that hig
: state OF efficiency where II was take
hold OF by Theodore Schaffer. Lik
Mr. Garland, Mr.. Mitchell does NJ
care for strikes unless he can win wit
them. He maintains fairly close bus
ness relations with all the coal trad
] and talks business and not sentimeI
to them. He is respected as an honei
man and an earnest man by those WI
deal with him in labor matters.
II is perhaps due TO him to print Thu
. he was forced into this strike throug
the bad judgment OF outsiders. 1t wa
: felt by the subordinate leaders thu
> the same forces which caused the me
to win two years ago could do SO agai
Mitchell was made TO believe this an
! pushed the negotiations further tina
l he otherwise would have done. Eve
4 then there was way OF retreat, but
: was closed by some hasty expression
on the part of indlscreet friends.
As the manager OF the largest stril
: in the history OF the United States
commands the confidence OF the wor
b ers in the trade involved. They 7
spect his sincerity and his bushes
Judgment. They know that he tho
oughly understands the situation al
5 will patiently and systematically briI
( TO the assistance of the organizatiC
: every force he can reach. Nearly e
a cry miner knows him personally. Thi
is, they have heard him speak at the
meetings. In appearance and mann'
he meets their expectations as lea