Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-22
PLAY A WAITING GAME
Coal Mine Operators Have
Little to Say
ON PUMPMEN'S STRIKE
STRIKERS BEGIN TO USE FORCE
IN PLACES.
Some Washeries Forced to Close and
Others Shut Down
Voluntarily.

wILKESBARRE. Pa, May 22.-The ex-
ecutive committee of the three anthracite
districts of the United Mine Workers re-
sumed their joint sessions this morning for
the purpose OF considering any further
business that may be presented Neither
President Mitchell nor the committeeman
would say what matters would be taken
up. but as the call for the proposed special
national convention has not yet been is
sued. it is believed by those around strike
headquarters that this Will be the principal
thing that will engage the attention OF the
meeting.
President Mitchell had no information to
impart before he entered the meeting He
confirmed the Associated Press dispatch
that the Michigan bituminous district had
consented to the call for a national con-
vention. Mr.. Mitchell was disinclined to
talk on the proposition of calling out the
engineers, firemen and pump men unless
they are given eight-hour day at the
present wages, except to say that he ex-
poets the mine owners to comply with the
demands Of the union.
Operators Have Little to Say.
Inquiry at the offices of the big coal
companies here today failed to elicit any
definite information as to how the oper-
ators will meet the latest demands of the
miners. At the offices Of one OF the largest
companies in the field II was said no def
mite plan had yet been decided upon be-
cause IL was not positively known until last
night what action the union would take,
and the company wants more time To think
the matter over. The general impression
prevails that most OF the companies will
refuse the demands, and there is much
speculation as to the next move OF the mine
owners. Some of the smaller companies, II
is known, have been training their men to
be firemen and pumpmen, and in some col
Iieries they have already displaced that
class of workers. 1t is rumored nun-union
men will be imported to take the places Of
the engineers, firemen and pumpmen.
WILKESBARRE, Pa. May 22.-The
meeting was in session only a short time.
At 10:45 o'clock a recess was taken until
this afternoon. Nothing was given out. Ii
is evident that the committees are waiting
for something important.
HAZLETON, Pa. May 22.-Matthias
Schwabe, a small independent operator, to-
day started up his colliery at South Heber-
ton All of his miners are to receive the
wages demanded by the mine workers. The
output will be for home consumption eX-
clusively. 1t commands 81 a ton at the
breaker.
Strikers Sail for Europe.
NEW YORK. May 22.-More than a hum
dred coal miners from the Pennsylvania
fields sailed for Europe today on the steam
Poles and Hungarians. Some We're accom-
panied by their families.
Several of the said they had quit
work in obedience to the strike order, and,
believing the strike would be a long one, de-
cided to visit their former homes.
Washeries Shut Down
PITTSTON, Pa, May pa new phase
developed here in the mine strike today
when all the washeries in this district con-
trolled by the Erie company shut down.
They have been running steadily, turning
out 5000 tons of coal daily The shutdown
was due to orders received from New York
last night, a conference OF the railroad
presidents having been held In that city
yesterday. when it was decided 10 cease all
washery operations.
Strikers Capture a Washery.
TAMAQUA, Pa, May 22.-Led by a drum
mer and bugler, several hundred striking
miners marched on the Smith Meyers wash
cry this morning. A sentry posted in a
tree fired his gun as warning to the men
at the washery that the strikers were ap-
preaching Operations were at once dis
continued.
When the strikers were within fifty yards
of the operation they were met by Charles
Meyers, one Of the operators. Mr.. Meyers
appealed to them not to damage any prop
erty or to injure any of the men. He said
pound of coal would be washed until the
strike had been settled. The marchers
then appointed a committee to met the
employees and the latter promised not TO
work until an order to do so is issued by
the United Mine Workers officials. After
the men had agreed to do this the marchers
returned to town.
The three anthracite executive commit
tees OF the United Mine Workers of Amer
lea, at their Joint meeting at Wilkesbarre.
Pa, yesterday, decided to permit the en-
gineers, firemen and pumpmen to remain
at work, provided the coal companies grant
them eight-hour day at present wages.
If these demands are not granted by June
2, the men shall then suspend work. Al
though the instructions issued to the local
unions do not specifically say that the
men shall cease work on that date II the
demand is not granted, they are so con-
strued by the committeeman. This action
was taken after two sessions had been held,
which consumed the entire day.
At present the engineers, firemen ana
pumpmen work ten hours day. Some OF
the firemen work twelve.