Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-02-06
miners PREPARE
FOR BIG STRIKE
PLANS LAID BY UNION OFF,
GALS FOR MONSTER sTRUG-
GLE AGAINST OPERATORS.
TO RAISE WAR FUND
TO OVER 100000
Over eoo,o Mon, Involving in All
Over 100000 People, Will Be
Affscted-No Immediate Rise in
Price of Coal.

Affscted-No Immediate Rise in
Price of Coal.
Indianapolis, Ind, Feb. 5.-Uncials
of the United Mine Workers have al
ready begun preparations for great
strike in which over 100000 coal min
ers will be arrayed against the prin-
cipal mine operators of the country.
A huge war fund of more than $5,-
100000 has been ordered established by
weekly assessment, and the fighting
machinery of the great organization is
being rapidly put into shape to con-
duct what will probably prove the most
stupendous labor struggle the country
has ever known struggle which will
involve at least 100000 men, women
and children-the strikers and their
families-and which is planned to
paralyze the country's entire coal pro-
ducing industry.
Operators Ultimatum Spurned.
The Mine Workers convention, held
Immediately after the conference of the
operators and miners had adjourned
without agreement, finally spurned the
operators ultimatum and adjourned
This action is equivalent to declara-
ton of war and is so interpreted by the
operators. The latter are also rushing
preparations for the struggle, which is
expected to begin April 1, the date
when the present agreement expires.
The strike will involve the anthra-
cite miners. President John Mitchell
settled this point in an interview, when
he said:
Yes, it is true that never in the his
tory of this country has strike of
such far-reaching effect been threat
ened. 1t means national suspension
of mining if the strike comes on at the
expiration Of our mining contracts
on March 81, and it includes the an
thracite districts"
Will this action of the miners, In
Guiding the anthracite districts, in or
der that no contracts shall be signed
until all obtain agreements, have any
effect on the meeting of the anthracite
miners and operators ON February Is ?"
II don't know at this time" he said.
well, you will meet the anthracite
operators at that timer"
YES" he replied, that is the plan
at this time, and no changes have been
made in the plans"
May Affect Over 100000 Men.
According to the figures at the head
quarters of the Mine Workers, gem
eral strike April would bring out OF
the mines 100000 men, If the non
union miners of West Virginia, num-.
bering 100000, could be induced to
strike with tho union men of the other
districts.
From statements made by President
Mitchell Immediately after the ad.
journment of the miners convention
the national officers expect to levy an
assessment through the national ex.
ecutive board Of 81 week from now
till April 1. Under the action of the
convention the board can also, in case
of strike, call upon all the districts
to care for their dependents for ten
weeks after the strike is declared.
With this assessment the national
treasury would have approximately
$5,000,000 on hand April 1.
The last of the operators and miners
left for their homes Saturday, leaving
only the members of the national ex-
.ecutive board Of the Mine Workers
here. There was a feeling of optimism
among both operators and miners
when they left. Few expressed a belief
that there would be strike, though
no one ventured to predict the means
by which strike would be averted.
The national executive board of the
United Mine Workers of America went
into session behind locked doors at ten
o'clock Saturday. Prior to the meeting
President Mitchell said nothing but
routine matters were to be considered
and he had nothing to say.
No Rise in Price of Coal.
A number of Indiana and Illinois
operators declared there is not going
to be an immediate rise in the price of
coal Most mines have abundant sup
plies of coal ON hand This is due,
the operators say, not to any fear of a
strike, but to the mild winter. In the
event of strike there should be no
real coal shortage. with advanced
prices, before next winter. That this
disagreement will be amicably settled
before that time is the belief of both
operators and miners
Bad Fire in Kentucky Town.
Richmond, KY, Feb. 5.-Fire here,
which at one time was so threatening
that Winchester waa ballad ~, fo,, =; "a