Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-03-22
SENTIMENT DIVIDED.
Great Tension Over Anthracite
Situation.
CONVENTION TOMORROW
Business Men Generally Oppose Any
Strike.
MINERS NOT WELL ORGANIZED
Many Regard Time Inopportune for
Shut Down, and Foresee Defeat
for the Men.
MINERS NOT WELL ORGANIZED

Special Dispatch to The Star
WILKESBARRE. Pa, March 22.-Dele-
gates from the lower and middle sections
of the anthracite fields joined those from
the Wyoming valley here this morning
and went to Scranton. where the conven-
ton is to be held tomorrow which will
virtually decide whether the renewal of
the present agreement for three years
snail be accepted or whether strike
shall be ordered to enforce the demands
for the workers.
sentiment, as far as It is possible to
ascertain it. is divided. a number Of the
delegates being instructed to vote for q
strike If the operators again refuse to
grant concessions. while others are to be
guided by the advice Of their district
officers and by President Lewis.
Without exception the business men Of
the entire anthracite region are opposed
to strike. They understand the con-
ditions as we'll as anybody. and they say.
in almost every instance, that strike
of the mine workers at this time would be
practically certain to lead to the men be-
ing defeated. They say that they have
been preparing for such contingency as
a strike They have from 100000 to
100000 tons of coal in storage, as well
as many thousands OF tons in cars on
sidings Of railroads all through the east
This coal Is enough. at the prevailing
summer demand, to last four months
without another ton being mined for gen.
eral consumption. and this gives the oper-
ators most decided handicap.
Union in Poor Shape to Fight.
On the other hand. the mine workers
are not we'll organized The general
opinion is that there are not $1,000 out of
the 1900 workers in the region who are
paid-up members of the union. Last De-
cember the official reports showed less
than 81 900.
Owing to the small number in the
union during the past three years, there
is not much money in the treasury of the
locals, or in the anthracite district treas
uries, while in December there was less
than 100000 In the national treasury. and
1t Is understood that this amount has not
been since increased.
1t is believed that the bituminous men
are not very willing to give financial aid
to the anthracite men in case Of strike,
as they have but little sympathy with
the anthracite workers have failed after
what the union gained for them In 1902.
Coal company's Preparations.
HAZLETON. Pa. March 22.-In order
to be prepared for a strike If one is or
uoTcu ny the Onllcu Mine workers OIL
America, the Lehigh Valley Coal Com
pany. subsidiary concern OF the Le-
high Valley Railroad Company. today
began repairing the high fences surround
ing it's collieries in this city. New barb
ed wire lie being strung along the tops OF
the fences.
The fence around the coliery of A.
Pardee & Co.. at Cranberry. near here, is
also being put in good condition.
Nearly all the colliertes In the an
thracite region during the big strike Of
1902 were surrounded by high board
fences to keep the strikers off the prop
erty and to protect the coal and iron
police. The miners called them stockades,
and several of the fences. were set on fire
and destroyed.
Circulars were received here today from
President Lewis of the miners union ask
ing the anthracite men to observe, as
usual, April 1 a. a holiday in commemo-
ration of the granting of the eight-hour
day in the Soft-cOal fields. The miners
are also advised to Danish strife from
the union.