Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1902-05-13
Unions Order to Suspend Operations is
0beyed in Every Instance,
oAL COMPANIES SHUT OFF A NcI rs.
Operators Believe President Mitohsl
Opposed to the Strike.
CARRIED INTO IT BY THE woRKMES
Scranton, shamolxin, Tnmaqus, POTTS.
VILE, HasIeton, Reading and other
Large Centers Report Galleries
at a standstiII.
MITCHELL SAYS TlE-UP IS COMPLETE


PHILADELPHIA, May 12.--Mine workers
throughout the entire anthracite coal re-
gions Of Pennsylvania. to the number OF
200, formally began their struggle today
for increased wages and shorter hours.
Never in the history Of hard coal mining
has a tieup been so complete. not one Of
the 357 collieries In the territory being In
operation. There is every indication for
the belief that the suspension, which was
to cover only the first three days OF this
week. will be made permanent by the
miners general convention which will meet
at Hazleton Wednesday.
Absolute quiet prevailed everywhere to-
day. In pursuance OF the request of the
district executive boards which met Jointly
at Scranton last week. all the local unions
Throughout the region met today and this
evening and elected delegates to the Halle
ton convention. II is significant that in
every Issue where a vote OF the local
became public property the ballot showed
a decided majority for a permanent strike,
unless the operators grant concessions.
Predictions are made that IL 1t Is decided
on Wednesday to continue the strike the
Struggle will be longer and more bitter
than was that OF 1900 which lasted six
weeks
The coal companies in various parts Of
the region have already made preparations
for siege. Coal train crews, telegraph
operators, switchmen. carpenters. ma
chinists and other employees, numbering
several thousands, not identified with the
Mine Workers union, have been laid on
until further notice. Some Of the companies
have also brought their mules to the surface
and placed them in pastures.
President Mitchell spent a busy day at
his headquarters. He was in close COM
munication with all the district leaders
and expressed himself we'll satisfied with
the way the men responded to the call for
q suspension OF work. He will leave for
HaEleton tomorrow afternoon.
President MitcheIi's statement.
SCRANTON, Pa, May 1a.-PresIdent
Mitchell OF the United Mine Workers stated
that the tieup In the three anthracite dis
tricts is cornpfets. approximately 100000
men and boys are idle, Of which number
only one-half are in the Lackawanna and
Wyoming region. In every instance, Mr..
Mitchell said. the order to suspend opera
tions had been obeyed. About 10000 mine
workers are out in the Lehish district and
$4,000 in the schuylkill field.
An oficial OF the Delaware. Lackawanna
& Western Railroad company Bsid today
that that corporation had no intention Of
Tesorting to lockout. Continuing. he said:
We do not intend to irritate the men and
the other companies are Of the same mind.
Nothing will be done until after Wednes-
day. The situation is now In the hands
OF the miners. Afterward It will be in our
We appreciate the fact that John Mitchell
does not want strike. Neither do the
contrary. While we do not want a tight
we will give the men ali the night they de-
sire II they decide that there Ii to be one
From the same oficial source comes the
announcement that the Delaware. Lacka-
wanna Western company has stopped
ceiling coal. Not a carload has been shipped
since Saturday morning. ANY order must
be approved by the head of the coal de-
partment before being hlled.
The other companies have taken similar
), action. an3 II is believed coal famine
will speedily result II the suspension is
made permanent on Wednesday. The cleo
tion OF instructed delegates IL in progress
to-day and will continue today and tonight.
Mr.. Mitchell went TO Wilkesbarre last night.
but he said there was no Significance in the
trip.
shamokin OOlIierIes Closed.
stIAMoKIN, Pa. May 1.-THE forty-hve
coilerieS In the Ninth mining district were
completely tied up this morning by the
20, ,656 employees, excluding bosses, nremen.
engineers and pump men, enforcing the
three daya' suspension ordered by the
Scranton convention. Two-thirds of the
collieHes are In the vicinity Of this place,
and are owned principally by the Philadel-
phia q Reading and Pennsylvania and Le-
high railways.
All of tho eolliery whistles were blown,
but the men kept away lTom 1ne opera
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