Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-09
NOW TN THE PUBLIC EYE
SCRANTON A PIVOTAL POINT OF
INTEREST TO ALL.
Hub of the Anthracite Coal Industry
Speculation Over Strike Possibili-
ties Next April.
Special Correspondence of The Star.


SCRANTON. Pa. November /, 1905
AS the hub of the anthracite industry
the city of Scranton. ranking fourth in size
among the cities of Pennsylvania, is the
pivotal point OF interest In the pending
discussion to the possibilities OF a great
coal strike at the termination OF the exist
ing contracts between the mine owners
and the miners on the LIST of April, 1906. 1t
was here the anthracite coal strike commits
sion met to settle the conflict In 1902. and
here the miners celebrated John Mitchell
day, within the week, and made demon
stration of their strength In one OF the big
sest parades In the history OF the place,
b. way OF showing that they are prepared,
as one of the transparencies expressed II,
For peace or war in 1906"
While everybody hopes fer the harmoni-
Gus continuance of existing relations be
tween the employing and employed forces
of the coal regions. the fact that some
thing Hike half a million mine workers n
the hard and soft coal industry hold them
selves in readiness for q strike on the
list of April next. in case the operators fail
to meet their demands. is causing consider
able uneasiness.
The Strike of 1902.
The strike in 1902 was confined TO the
anthracite section. which is exclusively in
Pennsylvania, while work continued stead
lily In the bituminous producing areas of
Illinois, Indiana, West Virginia and other
states; but no such condition VIII prevail
next year. The men are determined to
make common cause and stand or fall to-
gether In the coming crisis.
In 1902, with bituminous coal actively
supplying the demand. there was L full
famine in New York and elsewhere. A
general shut down of all the coal actiyi-
ties of the country would produce con-
dition of affairs that is almost unthink-
able In view of such q serious possibility
the Allis-Chalmer Company and other
large manufacturing concerns through this
region storing coal In great quanti-
ties Their attitude Is that while strike
may be averted, 1t is best to be prepared,
They have large orders on hand and
don't propose to take the risk of being
caught without fuel In case there Is no
strike they Will have the coal. anyhow, and
II is not a bad investment. TINS is an
Indication of the uncertainty IN the pub
lie mind with regard to the situation.
Miners Saving Their Money.
Another phase OF the state of feeling IS
seen In the diligence with which the miners
are saving their money. The frugalmind-
ed among them, and they are more numer-
Gus than in former years, are putting their
earnings In the savings banks and spend
ing as little as possible. 1t Is not an I'M
common thing to see miner on pay day
walking into savings bank ana handing
in his entire pay envelope. while the clerk
hands him out five or six dollars for cur
rent expenses.
Business men complain bitterly OF the
fact that the trade Is greatly injured by
the prevailing uncertainty. which causes
the masses to hoard their earnings scrupu-
lousy, instead of purchasing things they
actually need.
1t would be worth many thousands OF
dollars to the merchants of northeastern
Dan pSyltr MI pnStiivn could be
given that there will be no strike next
spring / am informed that similar condi-
tons exist in the bituminous districts.
When the strike commission was called
into existence through the efforts of Pres
ident Roosevelt II was hoped that some
thing like a permanent agreement would
be entered into for the avoidance of labor
troubles In the coal valleys, but no such
desirable understanding was reached and
the attitude of mine owners ard workers
today Is such to admit of doubts and
misgivings on the subject of a friendly set
tlement of their differences.
The Miners Demand.
The miners of the anthracite region de-
mand an eight-hour day and recognition
of the union. This the operators declare
they will not concede, and with equal de-
termination on both sides 1t is difficult TO
see how a clash can be avoided. The peo-
pie here, including all classes. have entire
confidence In President JOhn mitchell or
the United Mine Workers of America, who
is regarded as a wise, conservative leader;
but they remember that the strike OF 1902
was ordered against his best judgment and
they fear that, with their greatly increased
strength the miners may be inclined to
run counter TO his advice next time. that
is, in case he counsels them to continue al
work after the companies shall have re-
jected their overtures.
This is of course surmising q good deal.
The ultimate hope Is in the influence of
President Roosevelt, who, next to John
Mitchell, enjoys the confidence and respect
of the mine workers to remarkable de-
gree. The Presidents popularity was
much increased by his midsummer visit to
Wilkes-Barre and the speech he delivered
on that occasion. The men feel that in him
they have sincere friend. These things
serve to brighten an outlook that IS other
wise somewhat somber But good deal
will depend. after all, upon the tone and
attitude OF the coal companies in meeting
and treating the demands of the mine