The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-03-05
If Strike is to Occur Will Break April 1 in Tenn porary Suspension
 of Production. Interesting Talk on Situa- tion by Archibald Me Neil, Jr., Manager
 of Large Coal
 Concern. Looks AS If Operators Would Refuse Demands of Miners-Former Have Stacked Up 5,OOO.OOO Tons of Coal - Latter Have $419,OOO in Treas urv.

A warning note for the ears of coal consumers was uttered this morning by Archibald McNeil, Jr., general manager of The Archibald McNeil & Sons Company, who are the largest wholesale coal dealers in Southern New England.
 MT. McNeiI believes that there will be suspension of business in the nlin- ing regions on April 1. This will fol- low, as he believes. the rejection of the demands of the miners in toto by the operators.
 Inasmuch as the miners have in their treasury $419O0O, while the operators have above ground 5,000.0OO tons of coal, he is of the opinion that both sides have prepared for a struggle.
 Mr.. McNeil said,in conversation with a representative of the Farmer:
 "Very few people outside of the coal trade realize the significance of the pending conference between President Lewis of the United Mine Workers of America and President Truesdale and Baer, representing the Anthracite coal operators. However, the ultimate re- suit of that conference is anticipated as resulting in a complete rejection of practically all of the formulated de- mands as adopted by the United Mine Workers of America in their conven- ton at Indianapolis and submitted to the operators through President Lewis.
 '.This being the case, the question of interest to the coal purchasing public is, Will the miners back down and con- tinue to work under their present agreement, or will here be a general suspension, April 1st, pending an ami cable adjustment of their differences, and if so how long will it last, and how will it affect the prices of domes- tic fuel?
 ''The concensus of opinion in the coal trade is, that there will be at least a gneral suspension of operations in the Anthracite coal regions on April 1st, the duration of which is problematical
 '-The miners have in their treasury at present approximately $419,000 in cash, while the operators have accu- mulated in stock in the neighborhood of 5000, 900 tons of Anthracite coal. so that it is evident that both sides have anticipated and are prepared for a long struggle.
 'sThe present situation differs. in an important way from past conditions. Heretofore the Anthracite miners have fought their battles alone and unsup- ported by any other organized mine workers. During the long strike of 1902 they received no help or support from the United Mine Workers of America. This year, however. the Anthracite miners, if they decide to strike on April 1st, are to have the support of ica. representing about 300,000 organ ized miners. The existence of this condition makes the present situation to my mind more serious than is gener- ally realized.
 's We do not profess to be better in- formed of the situation than others nor are we prepared to say at this time that a strike is probable. It is our be- lief however, that April 1. the date of the expiration of the Miners agree ment with the operators, will see general suspension of operations in the coal fileds, and if a strike of the miners follows in our opinion there will be a long and unfortunate struggle.
 Locally it is unlikely that there will be any immediate advance in the prices of the prepared sizes. However should the suspension continue into the summer months, retailers will natural ly be obliged to be governed by their stock and their ability to purchase ad ditional coal"