The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-08
ALL QUIET AT wILKEsBARRE.


Tna8cB VI IL SitObtAOns
wILKEsBARRE, Pa. Oct. THE wo
principal features of the anthracite coal
strike which claimed public attention in
the coal fields to-day were will the miners
yield to the desire of the President of the
United States for them to return to work
and investigate afterwards? and will the
mine operators be able to carry out their
promise to produce enough coal to relieve
the situation If given the protection of the
full military power of the State?
After a most careful inquiry among the
district officers mot including the district
presidents, who are in Bufalo) and the
rank and file Of mine workers II was found
that sentiment is strongly against accept
ing the Presidents proposition In its pres
ent form. AS to the other feature of the
situation as 1t exists tonight opinion is
divided and will remain so until the real
test comes.
The Presidents message to Mr.. Mitchell
became known here this afternoon, and it
was earnestly discussed by the striking
miners and citizens generally. 1t is posi-
lively known to those who are close to the
officers of the union that President Mitchell
and his district presidents have all along
been opposed to the men returning to work
without some concessions. but whether they
are still so inclined, with the President APP
pealing to them, cannot be officially stated.
1t is reasonably certain, however. that they
still are opposed to such action. An officer
of the union now in the city, who does not
care to be quoted in the absence of Presi-
dent Mitchell, for fear that 1t would be
construed as being official, said to-day:
sv IThe an annresiste mime Tine , MoTter Se, Of P %ase
by President Roosevelt to end the strike
In the interest of the entire country. and
they nave only words of praise for him.
everything for the last five months they
consider it unfair for any one to ask them
to return to work without a single conces-
sion, especially when the miners see victory
almost at hand. The hard-coal diggers of
Pennsylvania have gone into the tight to
win, and they would not be doing justice
to themselves or TO the great body of or
and other persons who have been and are
financially assisting them in the present
throughout the entire coal region to-mor-
row, when action will be taken in accord
ance with President Mitchell's address is
sued last night. will bear me out"
This Is the tenor Of the remarks of most
of the mine workers In this region. In con-
nection with this, $500 striking mine work.
ers of the Prospect. Oakdale and Midvale
| collieries of the Lehigh, Valley Coal Com
pany met in this city to-day and it was
announced after the meeting that they had
unanimously decided to remain on strike
unlll tney get some concessions.
The calling out of the entire military
force of the State did not cause a sensation
in the Wyoming valley. Wilkesbarre city
and the surrounding country were about
as quiet to-day as any previous day since
the suspension was inaugurated. The Ninth
Regiment, stationed in the West Park,
across the Susquehanna river from this
city, had nothing to do beyond going out
for the usual morning tour of the sur
rounding towns
A tremendous interest is manifested in the
effect the presence of the entire division of
the National Guard will have on the strike.
There Is a wide difference of opinion as to
the probable effect. Coal company officials
welcome the soldiers and say that prospects
are bright for the resumption of mining un-
der the protection of the military. The
| strikers received the news in a matter-of-
fact way, and, In line with the comment of
their national and district leaders. say the
presence of the soldiers will have no effect
on the strike. Citizens outside Of the con-
troversy are also divided In their opinion.
There is one noticeable thing, and that is
that the strikers show a firmer stand than
they did before Governor Stone acted last
night. National Board Member John Fall
lon, who was the highest in authority AT
will remain as they are-firm to the end
Mr.. Fallon claims that less coal has been
produced in this region since the soldiers
have been here than at any time prior To
their arrival. He is of opinion that all the
men that want TO work under present con-
ditions are now employed. and asserts that
1Odi OlilHah Aaf0 tktfN
means to bring men back, even ofrerine
them more money than the miners on strike
are asking for.
The general comment that it is now VI
TO the operators to mine coal now thai
they have the entire State military pro
lection, which they have been asking for
is not shared by all officials OF the com.
panies. 1t is claimed the State has We,
to show what II proposes TO do. There Is
a feeling among some of these officials
that the mere move Of sending all the
troops into the coal region may not have
the desired effect I'm bringing about ar
early resumption of the collieries.
An official of one of the largest coal com.
panies in the territory is authority for the
statement that an early resumption depend,
altogether on where the military place thu
troops. IL Governor Stones order that .Al
men who desire to work and their families
shall have ample military protection" |,
literally carried out by Major General Mil
Ter, instead Of mobilizing the troops a
certain points. then the companies will b,
able to make good progress In opening uy
the mines. IF the troops are kept in al
communities where violence and intimida
ton is practiced." he said. there will be n.
trouble The dfnculty now Is that a maj
: goes TO work one day under the DrotAc