The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-02-05

While the miners are preparing TOT the
struggle by gathering together couple
OF million dollars OF strike fund and
the operators are pushing their mines to
their utmost capacity to get n stock
ahead the state authorities are rushing
the equipment OF the new state constabu-
larry, which was organized in anticipation
OF this strike
There are four troops Of this organiza-
tion. and their arms and uniforms are
now being sent out from the State Ar
senal al Harrisburg
The authorities look for serious trou-
BILE and are preparing to meet 1t with
such force as may be necessary.
The meeting OF the mine workers
scheduled for this morning was called
Immediately upon receipt of the news.
that President Dolan had disobeyed the
instructions given him TO stand for an
increase and had voted with the opera
tors i'm the conference in favor OF the
present wage scale.
President Dolan said yesterday: I'm
not going To say one word to the public
about my stand at the conference until
after l have met the miners in the dis
trict convention today. I don't know what
Ia TO be done. nor can ! say whether
there is going to be a strike. l tried TO
avoid one
COSSTABULARY ARMED.
The state constabulary. recently sworn.
numbering 240 men. divided into four com
panies. every man former member Of
the United States army or navy. or the
National Guard. had its inception In the
mind OF lawmakers who are alleged 10 bo
governed by the anthracite coal operators.
The four companies will Immediately ne
armed and will by April l be ready To
patrol the danger points where the strik-
ers threaten property or persons IL .
expected with this body having more
authority than any police force OF the
/ state, that-it- will -be Unnecessary to call
out the National Guard TO protect proper
ty as has been the case In the coal
strikes OF the past two decades.
The Pittsburg coal operators counted
on the support OF John Mitchell TO aid
them against the anthracite coal opera
tors in forcing them into a shutdown.
John Mitchell is believed TO have been
carried away by the radical element
headed by Tom L. Lewis OF Ohio and ID.
Ryan of Illinois. and that these men
will be the real leaders OF the strike
PUBLIC WILL NOT HELP
The fund which the coal miners hope TO
raise for the pending strike cannot
amount to over 10000, according TO an
authority here.
1t is doubtful II $500 900 can be raised
through the assistance Of other unions,
and II is doubtful II the public will sub
scribe TO aid the fight.
The miners OF the Pittsburg district In
the past have never received financial
assistance in their strikes. and were salts
fed TO get a few loaves Of bread each
week during the shutdown
The anthracite coal operators have
stored millions OF tons Of coal in the num-
erous coal pockets in eastern Pennsyva-
MIA. This coal will be taken out so that
the strike can be carried on for year
If necessary.
Il, is said that IL Is the intention Of the
operators of the east 10 maintain prices
equally during the strike period, SO as to
keep the public satisfied as IL is the in
tention TO break up the Miners union
rather than make any money out OF tho
fight.
The bituminous coal operators stlrted
last fall to store some coal. They were
suddenly confronted with a demand for
coal and advanced prices.
This demand consumed the surplus thus
stored away BY the first of April IL is
doubtful IL there will be two weeks sup
ply Of the coal stored.
OPERATORS QUEER POSITION.
Indianapolis. Ind, Feb. 5.-TheTe were
frequent conferences yesterday between
Pre- sident Mitchell and the members of
the executive boards Of the United Mine
Workers, although no record -wts-fnade ef
il because IL was the Sabbath. Plans for
carrying on the great strike were dis
cussed and careful estimates made Of it's
probable cost. The national officers were
greatly encouraged by the receipt Of
many telegrams from the officers of the
locals saying that the action Of the con
vention was heartily endorsed and that
every member Of the organization would
do his duty.
Some Of the kilograms contained sug
gestons as to raising the strike fund.
which will he formally considered by the
board this week.
Indiana and Illinois operators. owing 10
contracts by the unions by which, under
the check off system. they pay dues and
assessments of the members directly TO
the officers Of the locals. deducting the
amounts from the miners earnings. find
themselves I'm a peculiar position I'm the
present crisis.
They say that they will be compelled