Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-09-04
MINING SUSPENDED
IN Three DISTRICTS
Big Collieries In Anthracite
Fields CLOSED Tighter
Than Drum"
MAY REOPEN NEXT WEEK

Wilkes. Barro, Pa, Sept. Am
thracite production was virtually at a
standstill today, 100 colleries being
closed down and about 137, 900 mine
| workers on vacation While the
number Of the "vacationists'' has in :
creased, this Is not due to recruiting
OF the insurgent forces so much as TO
the fact that the week END and the
approach of Labor Day gave mine
workers an opportunity for a real
holiday.
Reports from the three anthracite
districts are that big collieries "are
closed tighter than a drum" Insur-
gent leaders assert the vacation"
movement has spread and gained re-
cruits, but union leaders state that the
peak of the strike has been reached
and that the back to the mines" move
ment soon will get under way.
In District 1. where there are many
big operations. the insurgent ranks
will be deserted In large numbers next
will be deserted In large numbers next
week. Local unions in Plymouth, Nan
ticoke, Luzerne, Edwardsville, Larks-
vile and other sections. have taken a
vote and decided to stand by the union
and their leaders.
This means that a break will come
next week, probably Wednesday, after
the miners have celebrated Labor Day
and takcn one more day of to get In
trim for work
Union leaders are preparing for
drive during Monday. Mass meetings
are being planned throughout the
thrre districts and the ablest of union
orators will be sent to urge the men
to stand by their pledge to President
Wilson and show their loyalty to the
organization John Mitchell welded to-
gether in 1900, which has success
fully withstood many assaults In in
tervening years.
Insurgent Agents Active
Insurgents are just as earnest in their |
plans Of keeping their forces intact.
Their agents are busy and are going |
to extremes in their determination ito
bring the operators to their knees"
One Of the heaviest blows at the in
strike was the action of the
scale committee Of the union in invit
ing John T. Dempsey. president OF
District No. /, to resign. Dempsey's
ronduct in Office has been one of the
things that has given the insurgents o
foothald. He has been absent from i'm.
portant meetings. has failed TO attend
sessions and in grave hours
has been conspicuous by his absence.
The insurgents have taken advantage
Of this state Of affairs to show that the
organization in District No. / was
leaderless and that change
must be brought about. II he does not
resign he will be ousted within a few
days.
Situation Not Unexpected
The situation as it exists today was
nothing more than was anticipated.
With Labor Day In sight mine workers
ire not anxious to work. The rule of
he coal fields generally is that after
great holiday the mines are usually
die another day. The vacation" Of
he miners has caused a great business
depression. and merchants report a
;reat falling in sales.
The exodus of miners continues. The
oft coal fields are getting a large force
Ind many of them say they will not
eturn. Federal agents keep active In
he district. They are here in abund-
nee. All eyes are now on President
Wilson.