The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-04
Large Number of Engineers, Fire
men and Pump Runners Induced
to Abandon Their Posts.
MITCHELL'S DAILY STATEMENT
HE SAYS THE ARMY OF IDLE MEN
WILL BE INCREASED TO-DAY.
Minor Disturbances at Several Places
Striker stabbed for String
ing Up Emgy.

wILKESBARRE. Pa. June S.-There
were no developments incidents worth
special mention in the anthracite coal min
ers' strike to-day. The mine workers tried
hard to bring out additional engineers,
firemen and pump runners. and the COM
panies were equally earnest in their efforts
10 hold the employees that have been loyal
to them. The union succeeded in getting
out quite a number of men, and tonight
the labor leaders assert they satisfied
with the days work. One or two col
lieries were compelled to shut down
their pumps because OF lack
of men, but in all other cases the
operators were able to fill the vacancies by
drawing on their reserve forces of office
and other employees. The mineowners claim
that thus far they have employed a very
few nonunion men and have plenty of
workers to draw on.
The entire coal belt remains comparative
iy quiet, although disturbances of minor
nature are becoming more frequent. These
are in the nature of demonstrations, rang
ing in numbers from about dozen persons
up to about one hundred. At Miners Mills
this morning and this evening men and
hooted the men that came from the mines
TO go to their homes.
At Plymouth this evening there was a
small demonstration against those still
working at the engines and pumps In the
collieries there. About 100 men, women and
children followed the workers to their
homes, calling them opprobrious names all
along the way.
Many of the workers who go to their
homes are accompanied by coal and iron
policemen. The latter have been cautioned
not to notice the actions of the crowds UNI
less they attempt TO do the men bodily
harm. In nearly every colliery temporary
living quarters have been provided for
those employees who do not care TO leave
the place. Colored cooks are being brought
into the region TO provide for these men.
President Mitchell tonight gave out the
following statement: Detailed reports
from all quarters of the anthracite field in
dictate that the number of engineers, fire.
men and pumpmen who ceased work yester-
day was considerably increased to-day, and
the probabilities that it will be further
augmented tomorrow. There have been no
violations of law the part of the strik-
ers, and our predictions made last week
that the mine workers would be laWabldlng
have been more than verified by the events
of yesterday and to-day. The coal strike
is remarkable in many respects. Were II
not for the fact that the coal companies
have a veritable army of private guards
and coal and iron police employed there
would be no exterior evidence that a great
industrial contest was being waged. We
are sure that the splendid conduct of the
men and boys who are engaged in this
great, silent and passive struggle for at
least a small share of our country's pros
perity must commend itself to all well-dis-
posed persons.
President Mitchell went to Scranton to-
night with District President Nichols. Mr..
Mitchell said his visit there was for the
purpose of comforting with the leaders in
that vicinity.
At the Stanton colliery of the Lehigh and
Wilkesbarre Company to-day an employe
came out of the colliery for the purpose of
buying meat for to-night's supper for the
men inside the works. When his errand
became known a crowd gathered and he
was driven back TO the mine.
There was a cutting affray at Edwards
Vile late this afternoon. A striker hung an
pole, and when the victim of the prank. a
Hungarian, learned of the prank he sought
out the man and stabbed him in the arm.
The Hungarian was soon followed by a
crowd which stoned him. He was slightly
injured.
At East End the father Of young man
who did not quit work became enraged
because his was interfered with. and
in his anger the father shot into a crowd.
He was rescued by police and taken to the
Wilkesbarre City Hall and locked up.
There were a number of other smaller dis
turbances reported.