Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-01
WILL PROBABLY OBEY
Indications That Anthracite
Miners win Quit Work.
SOME INDIGESTION SEEN
Galleries in Schuykill County May
Be Worked.
DISCUSSION, BUT NO DISORDER
Conference Of Presidents Cassatt and
Baer, but the Topic Not Revealed
To Discourage Speculation.
DISCUSSION, BUT NO DISORDER

PHILADELPHIA, Pa, March 31.-when
the mine workers in the anthracite field
finished their weeks work at noon today
there was every Indication that the order
of the scale committee OF the United Mine
Workers Of America suspending operations
pending the result of next Tuesdays con-
ference with the operators would be gen.
orally obeyed. Reports from every district
received here tonight are to the effect that
the large majority of mine workers intend
to remain away from the workings until
further instructions are received from
President Mitchell and the members OF the
scale committee. In the lower field, COM
prising the collieries in Schuylkill county,
some indecisfon on the part Of the men is
reported. and the impression prevails that
sufficient mine workers Will return to work
on Monday to permit the operation, short
handed, OF number OF coilieries.
Complete Suspension Expected
But the fact that in the vicinity Of
Mahanoy City and Shamokin hundreds Of
men failed to report for duty today Is re-
garded as evidence that there will be a
complete suspension of mining throughout
the entire anthracite territory.
The men left the mines today as usual,
msking no demonstrations at any of th.s
oIkings. During the afternoon many or
the miners in the various towns congregat-
Ell to discuss the situation. but there was no
disorder
The lead taken yesterday by the Della
ware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad
Company In posting notices announcing the
continuation of the strike commission >
award for the ensuing three years was fol-
lowed to large extent today by other
operators, especially In the northern field
At Scranton today and tonight officials OF
the companies whose operations are To-
Gated in the Lackawanna and Wyoming
districts held conferences for the purpose
Of discussing the situation. It was decided
to keep all the mines in readiness for oper-
alton should the men ignore the scale COM
mittee's order, but none OF the parttci-
a sufficient number Of men to operate any
one colliery.
Important Conference.
The most important feature of today's
developments in this city was conference
between A. J. Cassatt. president of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company. and Geo.
F. Baer, president Of the Reading COM
pany, in the latter's office. Shortly after
the departure of President Cassatt, w. G..
Brown, secretary OF the Philadelphia and
Reading Coal and Iron Company, was sum-
moned by Mr.. Baer. Most of the statistics
bearing on the mining operations of the
ReaQlng company are cOmplleQ unuer ln6
direction of Mr.. Brown. Neither Mr.. Baer
nor Mr.. Cassatt would discuss the object
of their conference. President Baer stated
however. that the Reading Company would
probably keep Its collieries open on Mon
day in order to give any miners who so de-
sire an opportunity to go to work.
Continuing Existing Prices.
Mr. Baer stated also that 1t was the in
tention Of the Reading company. to con-
tinue the existing coal prices. He said the
company would make every effort to dis
courage speculation on the part OF retail
dealers and declared that the charging OF
exorbitant prices by retailers would result
in the cutting off of this supply. The
stock of coal on hand he said, in the event
OF strike will be Judiciously distributed,
special attention to be given to municipaIi-
ties, institutions and industrial establish
ments.
While complete reports of the anthracite
operations for the month of March have
not yet been compiled. 1T Is believed the
production will break all records. The
Reading company's output is expected to
reach 100000 tons. which would indicate
a total production of 100000 tons.
In this city coal prices were advanced 70
and 80 cents a ton. All domestic sizes
brought 81 ton. and pea coal brought as
much as So In some cases.