Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-07

Dispatches from the mining districts in
dicate that the coal operators are making
every preparation for the big strike planned
for April 1. Some reports go so far as to
I claim that the operators are now in po-
sition to welcome strike.
Il is said that the anthracite companies
now have 14,000, 600 tons stored In their
own yards and that they expect TO have at
least 100000 tons out of the mines and
ready for a siX-months campaign If the
miners decide to quit work.
II is further stated that so much coal has
been produced within the last two years
that a shutdown of several months would
be necessary this summer If a strike was
not ordered.
Conference of Railway Presidents.
A conference of several of the presidents
of the anthracite roads has just been held
In New York, and while 1t was denied that
the meeting was called for the express
purpose of considering strike. information
came from one source and another showing
the operators have made preparations for
the contest far beyond anything dreamed
of by the outside world, and that they are
row In a position to welcome strike.
Among the bHuminous operators extra
ordinary provision has likewise been made
for the threatened struggle 1t was said
i
| Dtumnous coal was now outside the mines.
but that millions of tons had been dis
tributed among large manufacturers every
where, and that the companies had no APP
prahension of inability to supply all de-
rnandS for the next six months.
In the Hard Coal Region.
In Scranton, Wilkesbarre and other min
| Ing centers meetings of the miners are be-
| ing held and strike talk grows more in
eli {s feit nv all
classes of citizens. Merchants in these
places are refrainng from purchasing
goods until they know what the outcome
Of the negotiations is TO be, and prepara-
tons for the new equipment of the Penn
sylvania constabulary go forward rapidly:
at Shamokin have received word from
headquarters to be prepared for the worst
in connection with the unsettled labor con-
dltions between the miners and companies.
Galleries are TO be operated to their fullest
capacity until further orders.
It is feared by some that a general shut
down of mines will be ordered by the own
ers in case no satisfactory conclusions can
be reached with the miners.
The ninth district executive board. part
of the special committee appointed by the
recent local convention to walt on opera
tors, will go to Wilkesbarre TO consult the
rest of the members as to what demands
shall be made on the operators The ninth
district delegation are unanimous for eight
hours and recognition
sneciaI from Scranton says that the be-
lief is prevalent there that there will be no
strike. This belief Is perhaps based on a
better knowledge of conditions and the
statement of the miners than obtains else
where. The miners have enjoyed more pros
perity made more in wages and have had
wants better cared for during the past two
years than ever before in all their history.
Important Move Expected.
A special from Pottsville says that al
signs point to an important move by the
Reading which may figure prominently in
the averting of the expected strike OF the
miners April 1. The clerical force at the
PottsvIlie Office headquarters of the mining
department OF the Reading company are
working day and night compiling figures
and material to be submitted to the meet
| ing of operators and miners, which will
| be held in New York February 10 officials
| In high standing, who won't be quoted. adj
| NIT that there Is something going on which
| has given a very hopeful outlook to the
| situation and has caused cessation of
strike talk in mining circles.
None of the district presidents of the mine
workers is In the Pottsville region. but their
| snbordinates say that any reasonable at
tempt at compromise will be met more than
| half way by the miners.
Among Soft Coal Operators.
Among the bituminous operators extraor-
| dir airy provision. has likewise been made
| for the threatened struggle. Bituminous
coal is never stored in large quantities,
because of it's deterioration, and also be-
cause of the more constant demand for 1t
| In the manufacturing fields. but for more
than year dealers have been urging their
customers to lay in stock against pos
| sible emergency, and this advice has been
accepted very generally throughout the
eastern and middle states
While 1t Is estimated that nearly 90 per
cent of the anthracite miners might obey
| a general strike order, II Is asserted that
probably not more than one-haif of the
| men in the bituminous mines could be called
out.
Within the last four years vast number
of bitumnous fields have been opened in
the south and west and these mines, be-