Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1906-1908, 1906-04-20
WILL FIGHT THE UNIONS.
BIG OPERATORS HOPE TO KILL THE
COAL MINERS LABOR OR
GANIZATION.
EXPECT A LONG STRIKE.
Disorders Feared i'll the Fifth Ohio Sub
district-MitcheIl Has Left New
York

NEW YORK, april 16.-With the de
parture of John Mitchell for indianapolis
practically the last hope for renewal Of
negotiations for settlement of the an
thracite coal disputes went to the four
winds. The operators frankly admitted
that by his going the fight was in reality
already begun. They are of the opinion
that the strike will be the longest and
tiercest that the country has yet Wit
messed between capital and labor. The
operators are determined that if they
must fight they will go into it tooth and
nail.
They stand as one man now for the
humiliation OF the United Mine Workers
OF America, SO far as the union applies
to the anthracite field, and they will
spare none of their millions to accom-
pllSh that end.
The operators absolve themselves from
all blame for the fact that there was
not an amicable settlement of the dis
pute, and say that the mine workers
have brought the strike on themselves.
They contend that Mitchell was not sin
Cere i'll his efforts TO bring about peace
and chat he made this manifest by for
mulating demands that he knew per
tectiy We'll were absurd and impossible.
Fear Strike Disorders.
situation i'll the Fifth Ohio subdistrct,
which includes the West Virginia Pan
handle. has assumed threatening as
pect. and trouble is feared at Mounds
vile. W. Va. where the Glen EaStOn
Coal company has refused to recognize
the newly organized miners local union.
1t is reported that the company is
hourly expecting the arrival of train
load of Strikebreakers from Pittsburg.
hppn prpprpd O.
commodatiOn of the nOn-uniOnists, and
supplies are being received at the mines.
The striking miners say they will re-
sist this move by persuasive methods
only, but the situation is decidedly
threatening.
At Charleston. w. Va, the seven
teenth district mine conference has re-
suited in an offer Oh the part of the
operators to grant the miners an increase
of > per cent in lieu of the 90 increase
demanded The offer has been taken I'M
der considera ton, but will not be ac-
cepted.
At Wheeling Creek, O., a mass meet
ing of the miners of the eastern Ohio
district was held this afternoon, which
was addressed by National Vice Presi-
dent Thomas l.. Lewis, who expressed
the opinion that, following the executive
board meeting this week at Indianapolis,
the situation throughout the bitumnous
fields would show great improvement.
Strike Is Spreading.
SCRANTON, Pa, April 1G. - At
meeting here Sunday of the executive
committee of the rockmen's union of the
anthracite region, the present suspension,
as far as their craft is concerned, was
declared to be strike. The rockmen
remove the rock in the mines to enable
miners to reach the coal.
The committee had Il conference with
the rock contractors committee last
Wednesday to secure if possible, an
eight-hour day and 10 per cent increase
in wages. The rock contractors reported
on Friday that they could not secure
unanimity of action, and today the execu-
return to work until the demands are
granted.
There are 5000 roc>mcn in the anthra-
cite region. Not all of them are union
lied but efforts are now being made TO
get them organized.
Mines Filing Up with Water.
COLUMBUS, O.. April 16.-Accord-
ing to reports received here from Illinois
and Indiana. some of the mines in those
states are filling with water because the
pump man and engineers have not gone
the operators, it IS said. vii! demand
to know by whose authority the men lin
the mines i'll question: are out.
The operators employ union men and
the union agreed to keep the pump men
at work.
Mitchell Orders "No Disturbances"
SHAMOI<IN, Pa, April 16.-InstrUc-
tons TO United Mine workers from Pres
ident Mitchell not TO indulge in unlawful
disturbances was transmitted TO them
at Il number of meetings of locals in this