The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-14
But Are Determined Not to Recede
from Their Purpose to ..KiII the
Union" While the Fight Is On.
PREPARATIONS IN INDIANA
RAILWAYS AND FACTORIES ARE
READY FOR A GENERAL STRIKE.
Coal Stacked Up I'm Great PiIes-Dig-
gers in This state Opposed to
Breaking Agreements.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special TO the Indianapolis Journal
WILKESBARRE, Pa, July 13.-George
r Baer, president of the Reading Railroad,
who has charge of the strike for the ope-
rators, is determined that now is the time
to deal deadly blow to the United Mine
Workers of America. The chief manage
ment of the strike is left in Mr. Baer's
hands by the other coal railroad presi-
dents. Before leaving for Europe this last
time Mr.. Morgan, who is the actual head of
the coal combine, informed Mr.. Baer that
he should have a free hand in handling
the strike and that he would not interfere
as he did two years ago. 1t is understood
that Mr. Baer declined to accept any
sponsibility in the settlement unless he
was given this promise.
Shortly after taking charge Mr.. Baer
adopted the policy of giving no considera-
ton at the present to the details of the
demands OF the men on strike. He de-
clared to his associates that the policy
would be to give the union as deadly a
blow as possible. They agreed that the
commercial interests of the coal roads, as
well as OF the mining properties involved,
required the adoption of this view 1t was
not presented to the public in quite this
form. or did 1t appear in such bald aspect
IN the correspondence with the union lead
ers which was given to the public a few
weeks after the beginning of the strike.
Yet the policy is correctly represented in
the foregoing After a few interviews with
the representatives Of Mr.. Baer in the idle
districts there can be no doubt of this
xiii the union" is the watchword of the
operators. They say that it must be done
he rar,iz f= ftv
ing strength.
UNION MUST NOT WIN.
This rather harsh description Of the ope-
rators' policy is given because it is the only
one worthy OF serious business consdera-
ton. 1t is not necessary for the public
10 give consideration to the discussion over
fair weights, more pay, fewer hours, and
other details when the operators are not
doing so. Talking with them in a personal
way and not for publication, they will ad-
NIT that there are grievances which they
could consistently adjust. They say they
could even give a 5 or 10 per cent raise in
pay. Or they could shorten the day for
certain workers. or could to some extent
remedy the practice which forces the hard
coal miner to dig 5000 pounds of coal for
a ton. They say that all these sink into
insignifcance compared with the broad
question of recognizing the union. They
would even be glad to stop the fight by
making concessions to individual miners
but they cannot do this without the i'm
preston going abroad that the union has
won. In 1900 the concessions were made to
individuals but accepted for them in the
convention of miners. The result was that
the union membership quickly raised from
1900 10 5000 in the anthracite region. II
concessions TO the individuals should be
made now the union would increase in
strength and next spring would be clamor-
ing for more concessions. In later dis
patch the writer will go into detail as to
how the union has become so obnoxious
to the operator.
II is necessary 10 go into but few
details 10 explain the demands of the miner
Technically. they would not be understood
except by those familiar with mines The
first thing to be taken into consideration
Is the hard life of the miner The con-
ditions perhaps inevitable. 1t always
has been and always will be dangerous
TO work in mines. The tendency is to de-
press the men. They are inclined to be
sullenly envious of those who work in sun
light These conditions are always i'm
portant parts OF every mining strike. In
the anthracite region the coal has been
growing harder TO mine for a quarter of
a century and the miners condition steadily
growing worse. The rules and regulations
OF a generation ago prevailed until 1900.
Then took place the first raise In pay, the
first improvement of conditions. 1t was the
result OF a strike.
GRIEVANCES OF MINERS.
The miner saw a steady improvement in
"a
the breaker and terminal cost of handling
coal. reduction in the cost of haulage. a
reduction in the seaboard and other de-
livery. lowering of the selling cost and
at the same time a steady increase in the
price 10 the consumer. a more rapid in
crease IN the transportation charge and
yet his wages remained the same The
transportation combine was fattening, but
his conditions were not improving Further
more the veins were growing thinner the
shatts deeper the timbering more costly
ana az the same rate or pay he was able
10 net less. All OF this added to the neces-
sary hare conditions OF his lot made him
sore. The only advantage he ever got wa :
through a strike. He is trying again
Notwithstanding that all the foregoing is
true, the majority OF the men on strike
would be glad 10 go TO work under the old
conditions They feel that they are licked
and that further effort is almost useless
II is not likely that they will go back TO
work for some time. various things oDerat
ing against this. but IL Is so that tbev
wOuid like to This needs a little exnlana-
tion. They won the strike OF two years ago
20 easily that they thought II this one re-
suited in complete tie-up they would win
IN the same way. II was limited 10 them
that the same men who saw them win
before would take care OF them at this
time. II was even suggested, IL is said by
some OF these powerful men that they
would have but little difficulty In getting
concessions. II they expected this they
were disappointed When Mr. Hanna went
TO President Baer. Of the Reading he was