The Oskaloosa herald., 1912-04-04
MITCHELL HOPEFUL
N Of MINE PEACE
Believes Anthracite Coal Strike
... Can Be Avoided.
HIRE UNION MEN AS GUARDS
Hundreds Of Nonunlonists Are Brought
Into Wiikesbarre Region Prepare
tory to Continuation Of Opera
tions During the Week.

Wilkesbarre, Pa, April John
Mitchell, former national president OF
the National Mine Workers union,
while here sounded far reaching
note OF hopefulness OF a peaceable
settlement OF the anthracite coal situa-
ton.
Il consider the outlook for avoiding
a strike much more hopeful now than
1t has been" said Mr.. Mitchell. From
my general observation in the anthra-
cite fields believe that both sides
will get together and patch up their
differences In the next ten days and
that there will be no strike"
Looks for Peaceful Agreement.
or the soft coal situation Mr..
Mitchell said:
The soft coal operators and mine
workers have reached an agreement.
II came at the eleventh hour and 1t in
dicates that calm and judicial Judg-
ment Of the situation and discussion
by both sides is likely to lead to a
peaceful agreement"
There is hopeful feeling generally
that Wednesdays conference between
the mine owners and miners in Phila-
delphia will bring about peaceful
solution of the controversy that result
ed in a suspension OF work today.
The mine workers, however, are not
enthusiastic about accepting a ten
per cent. advance in wages unless
they also secure recognition OF the
union. If, however, their leaders rec
ommend them to accept an offer made
by the operators 1t is likely that they
will do so without much question.
Nonunionists Are Distributed.
Hundreds OF men were brought into
the coal region and distributed at diff
ferent collieries, chiefly by the small
er coal companies and independent
operators. 1t is expected that some
of these owners will make an effort
during the week to mine coal, owing
to their desire to take advantage OF
the prevailing high prices
One company, however, the King
ston Coal company, which operates ID
tunnels and five shafts near here, be
as guards about the coal company
property. thus taking at their woro
the mine workers leaders, who de
clared that they would provide com
petent guards from the ranks or the
union.
Leaders Instruct For Order.
Numerous locals OF the miners held
meetings and the men We're instructed
by their leaders to keep away from
the mines and preserve order
The operators declare that II the de
mands OF the mine workers are grant
ed II will necessitate an increase OF
90 to 20 cents a ton in the price Of
coal in order to provide for the In
crease embodied In the demands.
Work is Suspended.
Cleveland. April Especial: Action
in the bituminous coal miners wage
controversy shifted today from the
seat Of long conferences with the OPP.
orators here to the district headQuar.
tiers, where more than 100000 soft
coal miners refused to work this
morning, remaining idle upon the adj
vice of President John p. White to
suspend operations pending referen
dunn vote on the scale compromise.
President John p. White left here last
night for the mine workers national
headquarters in Indianapolis.
May Return Thursday.
Pittsburg, April Especial: Indi'
cations today are that the suspension
of the bituminous miners in Pittsburg
district No. ) may last for only few
days. The men will probably return
to work Thursday following a recon.
ference of the district convention,
when delegates will decide whether
or not work shall be suspended pend.
ing the referendum vote and the &C,
ceptance of the wage agreement by
operators and miners.