The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-10
STREET CARS STOP.
Coal Famine / Already in Sight
in Colorado.

Denver. Colo, Nov. 10-The tie up
in the Colorado coal fields in conse-
quence of the strike order issued by
John Mitchell, president of the United
Mine Workers of America, is more
extensive than operators had anticipat-
&c or union leaders had expected.
In Las Animas county, the principal
battle-ground, the union leaders assert
that only one hundred of the 5000 men
employed in the various camps are
working today. The operators how
ever, declare that they still have about
1000 men in the mines.
In Huerfano county there are 1900
miners, of whom more than 1000 are
already on strike and the union leaders
are confident that they will succeed in
inducing the remainder to come out.
Practically all the 1900 miners in Ere
mont county are idle.
In the northern field 1,500 miners are
on strike and about 400 are working on
small independent properties at which
all the demands of the men have been
conceded.
In western Colorado about 1 900 min
ers are working but organizers are busy
among them. Union leaders at Trinidad
say that eighty per cent of the miners
in New Mexico have gone out. In Wy
Oming and Utah the strike has not yet
been effective.
No violence or disorder has been re-
ported anywhere in the coal regions
After a conference lasting till after
midnight Governor Peabody announced
that no troops would be sent to the
coal fields today. Adjutant General
Bell is now in Trinidad investigating
conditions.
John L. Gehr is in active charge of
the strike in the southern district, and
money has been deposited in. the First
National bank of Trinidad to take care
s4f Sfrilz
their firm intention to stay out until
their demands are complied with. The
Colorado Fuel & Iron company has noti-
fled all married mon in its employ that
they will be evicted from the company
dwellings, by Friday morning if they
fail TO return to work.
William Howells, district president of
the United Mine Workers, said today
that since the strike was ordered more
than 1000 members had been added to
the union. Mother" Jones is holding
meetings at the VARIOUS camps and is
everywhere received with enthusiasm
10000 MEN OUT.
Denver. Nov. 10.-More than 10000
coal miners in Colorado are idle. OF the
Idle men 5000 are in the southern coal
fields, 1900 in the northern coal fields
and 1,S00 in Fremont county. One hum
bred mines have been closed down. A
few independent properties in the coal
fields and elsewhere will not stop work
since the operators have agreed to con-
crease wages. Less than 1000 miners
will remain at work, according to re-
ports from the affected districts. The
announcement comes that 800 have gone
out in Colfax county, N. NJ. The others
in that territory are now negotiating
with the mine owners.
The Colorado Fuel & Iron, Victor
Fuel & Northern Coal g. Coke COM
panies are the largest producers. Prac-
tically all of their properties have been
tied up by the. action of the miners.
However. they are making efforts to
continue operations under the protection
OF strong guard It is estimated
there are about 40 coal mines in the
state. with an output of some 100000
tons year and about 100000 tons OF
coke.
It will be the policy of the United
Mine Workers to depOpulate the various
coal districts by sending the idle men
and their families to Illinois, Indian
Territory, Missouri and Iowa and other
states where work has been secured for
them. Some 5000 fares to these states
have already been arranged for by the
United Mine Workers and hundreds OF
the strikers are on their way to new
fields.
D. C. Evans member of the executive
board of the national organization from
Indiana, is now at Trinidad to handle
the financial end of the strike. Other
members of the executive board are ii
the state and viii have charge of the
campaign during the struggle, one be
ing stationed in each of the eenters OF
the strike zones.
The storm center will be about
Trinidad, in the southern fields, where
the number of miners aggregates
5000
At the towns of Hastings and Del
agna. where the Victor Coal company
employs $500 men. it is reported that
1000 are working. Roth places are
strongly guarded and strangers are
not allowed to enter them.
General Manager James F. Welborne
of the Colorado Fuel and Iron com
pany announced today that the com
mines, and the public need have ne
fear Of a coal famine. At the Office
OF the Victor Fuel company it was an
nOunced that all its mines were in op-
GRAFTON and would continue to be op-
Grated. The large companies operating
in the northern fields admitted thai
their mines were closed. Not over 15(
men are working in the northern field
Despite the claims of the coal com.
panies. householders in Denver ane
other cities who have not laid in 6
winter supply of COAL found it i'm
possible today to secure a ton of Goa
for immediate delivery. The supply o.
Ignite coal is already exhausted, and
companies having other kinds Of Goa
booked orders for not more than ont
ton, subject to two weeks delay in de-
livery
The railroad companies claim t.
have enough coal stored to meet al
their requirements for some time.
The Colorado & Southern railroad II
reported. to have conhscated nearly ONT
thousand cars of coal which had beer