New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-07-12
VIOLENCE IN COAL REGION
SHERIFFS OF THREE COUNTIES UNABLE
TO RESTRAIN OUTBREAKS-TROOPS
MAY HAVE TO BE CALLED OUT.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE, ]

tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBUNE,l
Wilkesbarre. Penn. July ia state of riot such
has existed at previous period of the anthra-
cite strike, is creating terror in Carbon County
at the towns of Lansford and Summit HILL in
SchuyikH County at Coaldale, and in Luzerne
County at McAdoo. These four towns close
together. and at them situated the mines of
the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company. So seri-
Gus have been the outbreaks of violence there. and
so rapidly they increasing that yesterday Sheriff
Gonbert appealed for troops. Governor Stone re-
fused them. but said he would keep eye on the
situation Tonight the State troops departed for
their annual encampment at Gettysburg. and in
the event of trouble reach the scene within
four hours. all ready for active service in the field
Citizens of the affected towns report that one regi-
ment would be sufficient protect the workers
and prevent the outrages.
Sheriff Gombert admitted to-day that he cannot
prevent all the violence owing to his small force
of deputies and his inability to get more men who
will be of service, while the local authorities bur
gesses with a couple Of constables under their
command poweress.
The workers who have been attacked are not
imported men. but old residents of the towns, who
have worked for the company for years and have
families and homes Some have been beaten and
left unconscious in the streets; others have been
carried away to lonely places, beaten. stripped of
their clothing and compelled to make their way for
several miles home best they could. Others have
been abducted and have not returned and their
merous and constant have these assaults been, and
utterly unable Sheriff Gombert, OF Carbon
County, to prevent them or arrest the strikers,
most of the trouble being at Lansford, that the
company. has now armed and equipped force of
citizens with Winchester rifles, and they are aiding
In maintaining order. but the force is too small 10
be effective.
The strikers are all armed and clash between
the two bodies would the citizens fear. result In
bIoodshed. The disturbances at Coaldale and Nc
mr. haen so grea n
the strikers and their sympathZers in each place
excited. The union officers endeavoring to
calm them and prevent any outbreak The citizens
feel certain there will be relief until there has
been a fight and eager for a regiment 10 arrive
and preserve order. The company officials say they
are determined to protect their men, Tonight ten
rioters arrested and held under bail. and this
has had good effect, but trouble is feared when
the news spreads.
President John Mitchell, who starts tomorrow for
Indianapolis, spoke to-day of the conditions which
will exist at the National Convention He said:
No living man can With any degree of assurance
beginning a national suspension of coal mining
will be determined by delegates representing all
will be under ironclad instructions in favor OF or
in opposition to a strike Many others will in my
governed in their action by developments in the
Of # being deemed ADVISABLE to start na
tiona strike provision will be made to contribute
The sympathy OF the entire labor world is with
moral support The declarations of the railroad
their persistent refusal to treat CONSIDERABLY over
lures for peaceful solution Of the present trouble
of right, and this action has eliminated in many
public / mean by this that assurances of
financial support not confined to wage earners
so have offered financial support to the struggling
mine workers. and feel confident that the strike
a national strike takes place.
President Mitchell to-day drew lesson from the
frightful accident at Johnstown by showing the
great dangers the miners face for the small wages
they paid. and the loss Of life yearly in the
mines
In the anthracite region Of this State the mini
wage Of the men is 81 day. and last year
the killed numbered 513 and the injured 1,245 This
is Mr. Mitchell says, the proportion OF one killed
and two injured for every $4,000 tons Of coal
mined, the average of two and one-half persons
killed every hours OF work
In the bituminous region the minimum wage of
the men is 81 10 a day. and there is killed and
five injured for every 800 600 tons of coal mined.
Last year there were killed in that region 3O1 per-
sons and e59 were injured
The casualties in the bituminous regions OF other
States are 50 per less than this State Presi
dent Mitchell says that the number of accidents
could be reduced by better ventilation and better
protection to the employees by the mine owners.
The Citizens Alliance of this city to-day in
open letter to President Mitchell advised him that
condition exists in the region which calls for
active measures to sustain good government II
says boycotting, hanging in effigy, intimidation
sault and interference with workers exist and
concludes by saying:
We, therefore. appeal to you to declare:
Ffrst-The highways free to all who desire
work, notwithstanding strike is in progress.
Second-Boycotts against any business profess
sional the ground of services rendered TO
non union worker are condemned by the union.
Third-That hanging in efflgy the digging of mock
graves and every other form of violence threat and
libel are condemned by the union.
Fourth-strikers who participate in any OF the
offences thus itemized will be held responsible TO
the union for all disturbances. unlawful boycotts
etc. in which either they themselves their wives
and children participate.
President Mitchell has not yet answered this, and
until he does he will not discuss it.
TO SETTLE CHICAGO STRIKE.
CONFERENCES BETWEEN RAILROADS AND
FREIGHT HANDLERS TO BE