New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-01-17
Several Other Houses in
Pittston Damaged by Ex-
plosion; Believed Work of
Men Demanding Strike
Four Placed Under Arrest
Conference Between Lewis
and Miners Is Forbidden
as Result of the Outrage
Special Dispntch n Tb. rr,,,.,.


W1LKES-BARRE, Pa, Jan. 16.-The
store and home Of James A. Joyce.
Pittston merchant and leader of the
Pennsylvania Coal Company miners,
was wrecked and several other houses
were badly damaged at 4:30 o'clock
this morning by an explosion of dyna-
mite. Four men have been arrested
by the Pittston police, who believe
miners of the Pennsylvania Coal Com
pany, who are displeased with the
stand that Joyce has taken in the
present strike situation, are respon-
sible for the blast. Joyce led the
miners to victory in the fall and the
coal cutters are now getting more
money than ever before. His recent
policy has been to restrain the men
from striking because he believed they
did not have just cause.
He pitted his eloquence against the
insistence of radical insurgents at a
meeting of the general grievance com
mlttee last night, and although he
d!d not win his point definitely, neither
did the other side win. and when the
meeting adjourned conditions were
badly muddlcd.
Police Prohibit Miners Meeting
John L. Lewis, international presi-
dent Of the United Mine Workers, was
here to-day. 1t was intended that ne
should meet with the Pittston miners,
but the Pittston police issued orders
against meeting of any kind within
the city limits.
Some miners favor striking to-mor-
row. and others favor remaining at
work. The former are called insur-
gent radicals, and the latter are most
ly English speaking miners. A meet
ing was to have been held tomorrow
night, at which time the representa-
tives of the 10000 miners would get
report of the meeting of their COM
mittee with President Lewis this after
noon. Since all meetings have been
declared off, it is considered likely
that work will be resumed. Lewis has
declared against a strike. Hc left here
tonight.
Joyce's store is on North Main
Street, Pittston. Last week his life
was threatened many times, but he
showed no fear
Ten houses have been dynamited
here in the last four months, nearly
all owned by. Italians, but this is the
first time that a resident of Joyce's
prominence was placed in danger.
Three persons were sleepin.- in the
house and were thrown from their beds
to the floor. The entire front of the
store was blown out and the stairs
leading to the bedrooms wrecked.
Panes of glass were broken throughout
the house and large section of the
stone foundation caved in. The North
End Garage was badly damaged and
windows in the Pittston Laundry and
Greek Catholic Church were broken.
Appeal for Police Protection
Four arrests Of men previously sus-
pected of dynamiting have been made
and patrol has been placed at the
Joyce home. Mine %, emcn and others
who have counseled ,gainst the strike
fear for their lives and have made ap-
peals for police protection.
Besides the Pittsron police the entire
troop of state police, located at Wy
oming, are searching for the men who
committed the crime. The valleys
prominent residents are making. insist
ent demands that some of the large
force of Secret Service ren now oper-
ating here against he brewers turn
their attention to the strike conditions
and get the leaders.
The whole trouble has beer caused
because the 100 or more men of No. IA
Local, United Mine Workers, refuse to
grant the insurgents q union charter