The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-25
OPERATORS EXPECT A STRIKE
ARE STARTING MINES AS FAST
AS MEN CAN BE GOT.
Prepared 10 Prosecute All Disorders Secret
Agents Get Existence against Rioters
English Speaking Wen Expected 10
Return 10 work Mitchell Talks.

NDNAAN aNbNN hINsTs ApN
English Speaking Wen Expected TO
Return 10 work Mitchell Talks.
SCRANTON, Pa, April 24.-There appears
to be no doubt from the developments of
the last few days that the large coal mining
companies expect the convention Of miners
to declare a formal strike and they nave
taken measures accordingly.
Men are being brought in and arrange
ments are under way for their accommoda-
ton. One operator said to THE Sun COR
respondent to-day that while 1t ia true that
the operators are doing everything in their
power to avoid a conflict with the men,
nevertheless they have decided to go ahead
along the lines previously agreed on among
them.
This means that whenever it is possible to
start another mine that will be done, and
Just az many desirable new men will be
taken on as can be got.
Where disorders appear the coal companies
will prosecute the perpetrators to the full
extent Of the law. II is we'll known that
the Iackawanna company has a secret
force at work watching what the miners
are doing and tracing the men guilty Of
violence. The several arrests made show
the secret service men are pursuing their
work with vigor and they always have their
cases we'll prepared.
The operators say that many English
speaking miners will return to work after
the strike is called, and that all the nom
union men will report when the collieries
are ready to begin work.
1t il planned to get one oIliery in full
operation first and then start another.
Most Of the strike breakers who have al
ready been hired have not been brought
into the region. They will not be sent
here until the last moment Empty coal
cars are lying on the sidings SO that coal
can be hurried to the cities as o o az OPP
erations are esumed.
For the past two weeks there has been an
apparent weakening Of the suspension in
the upper part of the valley; that is, az far
az the foreign laborers are concerned,
This fact has been viewed by the officials
OF the Mine Workers | MON with misgiving.
IL has been true, however, that compare
lively few OF the certificate miners have
returned to work.
The mine workers of this city and vicinity
do not want a strike. 1t can be said that
at least 90 per cent. of them do not. They
are awaiting the action Of President Mitchell
and the scale committee with a feeling
that the suspension will not he continued
much longer.
The Erie, Lackawanna. Delaware and
Hudson and Peoples Coal companies are
operating collieries in this city and vicinity
as follows:
Erie: Clifford. Consolidated. Barnum and
No. 5. Lackawanna' BellsvuH Cayuga,
Bliss and Sloan; Delaware ara Hudson.
Jermyn. Peoples Coal Company, Oxford.
Relying on the sentiment among the men.
which is by no means in favor of a strike,
all the companies are making big prepara-
tions to start all their mines il the strike
order is sent out.
1t is planned by the companies not TO
have employees sleep within the stock
AIDES this time, but to run a boarding house
outside and bring the men to work by
train.
Because the company wanted them to
work as miners negro cooks employed at
the Grassy Island washery, owned by the
Delaware and Hudson Company, went On
strike.
The Mayield colliery of the Erie company
has received sixty more new men. They
were brought into the valley guarded by
deputies.
The four local unions of ELEPHANT have
adopted resolutions commencing the work
Of President Mitchell. These resolutions
have been forwarded to him.
The meeting of the scale committee in
Wilkesbarre tomorrow holds all interest.
The miners seem to be holding their breath
awaiting the result. Whatever feeling Of
unrest there may be among the men as the
result OF the suspension it has been found
mat practically every man can De depended
upon to act in accordance with the wishes
Of President Mitchell. The popularity of
the man has not diminished one iota az the
result OF the suspension.
WULKEsBARRE, Pa, April 2+-Whether
the anthrac cite mine workers. scale COM
mittee will make an ef ort to continue nego-
tiations with the operators or will accept
their last answer refusing the suggested
notifications to the arbitration propo-
sirion az final, President John Mitchell.
who arrived here this afternoon, declares
he cannot say.
The scale committee, which will meet here
to morrow will decide that question, "hesaid,
and before it is decided whether to make
an agreement with the operators, the action
of the scale must be ratified
by a convention. In other words a strike
cannot be declared or an agreement made
without action by the convention"
Mr.. Mitchell said that when this con-
~vention il called delegates will have to be
elected. He replied vigorously to the state
msnt Of the operators published this morn.
ing that he was responsible for the delay
which has characterined the negotiations.
As to that " he said. -the negotiations
might have BEEN under way some time
before they We're. | wrote To the oTs
on December le, requesting a conference
any time between that date and January
II, but they were too busy 10 meet our com