Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-31
MINERS. ARE HAPPY
Prospect of Adjustment of
Troubles Brings Joy.
MEANS FEWER HARDSHIPS
Long Period Of Idleness Spells Want
for Their Families.
SMALL OPERATORS SPURNED
Workmen Take Out Tools and Re-
fuse to Work on
Monday.
HEANS fewer HARDSHIPS
SMALL OPERATORS sPURNED

Special Dispatch to The Star
WlLkESBARRE. Pa, March 3o.-One
hundred and sixty-five thousand anthra-
cite miners, laborers, company hands and
breaker boys quit work this afternoon in
obedience to the order of National Presi-
dent White of the Mine Workers Union.
These workers carried with them their
tools. supplies and working clothes, all
evidences of their expectation that the sus-
pension will last for some weeks, and
that a strike may follow unless the
operators grant them an increase in
wages and some of the other concessions
for which they ask.
AS they left the mines the news greeted
them that President Baer of the operators
committee and the members of the mine
workers committee had agreed to hold
another conference in Philadelphia April
10, and there were many happy faces
among the men in consequence.
Much as they desire increased wages
and working concessions, some of he men
with large families to support realize
fully that a long period of idleness will
mean want to them and to their loved
ones. and they eagerly greet any news
which indicates that an amicable adjust
ment of the differences may be reached.
None of the larger coal companies in
this section made any effort to prevent
the men removing their tools and sup
plies from the mines nor did their officials
plead with any of the men to leave the
tools in their usual places and promise
to return to work.
Orders Go Unheeded.
Some of the smaller coal companies
throughout the region, however, with a
view of mining coal If possible and get
ting the prevailing high prices. not only
ordered the mine workers to return to
work Monday morning. but refused to
allow them to take the tools from the
mines. Many of the men at the collier
les of these concerns, however. took their
tools home and calmly informed the
foreman that they did not expect to work
until the suspension els lifted They
union leaders of the mine workers this
evening expressed their delight at the
unanimity with which the suspension Or
der has been obeyed.
They declare that not colliery will
be operated Monday, and that they have
received assurances that the men who
are not members of the union are just
as eager to keep the suspension order
as are the union men. They say that the
operators cannot fail to be impressed
with this general indication of how firmly
the men will stand together in effort
to gain the concessions they ask.
Strikebreakers Near.
Several thousand strikebreakers and
special guards are now gathered at points
in and near the anthracite region, await
ing orders to go to the mines. and 1t is
expected that Monday many of them will
be on their way. 1t is not believed that
the larger coal companies will make any
effort to operate their mines, at least for
a few weeks, If they remain idle that
length of time. Several of the smaller
operators, however, tempted by the higher
prices which they are able now to get for
COAL will make a determined effort to get
enough men at their collieries to mine
some coal Some of these smaller opera
tors believe by combining some men whom
they anticipate will return to work and
some strikebreakers they will be able to
keep up a substantial working force.