New Britain herald., 1922-04-01
65.OOO Out in pennsylyania


 Miners officials expected however and the operators did not contradict the prediction, that some 45 ,OO0 union men in the western Pennsylvania fields and 4, ,00O more in the central Pennsylvania territory would join the suspension. The greatest doubt cen tered about the number of non union men who would join the movement in the vicinity comprising mines in Clcarfeld county and surrounding territory. No statement was forth coming from union headquarters in Greensburg from which call had been sent out during the past few days to the non- union men to strike with the organized miners
 West Virginia and Ohio. Reports from West Virginia and eastern Ohio, late last night were in- dicative of general suspension of mining activities. Practically the only doubtful region was that cen- tered about Cumberland, Md, in the Georges Creek and Upper Potomac fields, where mining for months has been sub-normal activity, and fully 5000 men have been idle during that time. Six thousand miners were said l to be affected by the strike order but neither the operators or union officials can state the exact number of men who would stop work This was part ly due to the individual contract system urged by many of the opera tors in these districts.
 Twenty thousand was the number of union men estimated to have sus- pended work in Clearfield, Elk and Jefferson counties in the Dubois re- gions of Pennsylvania. Union leaders predicted that twelve thousand non- union workers would be with them by Monday.
 100 Mines Closed.
 From Morganstown, w. Va, came word that more than 100 mines had been closed by the walkout. Opera tors of this district have announced that they would reopen on an open shop basis, but no work was expected to be done today according to state ments from both camps. The ap pearance at this city of four blazing crosses against the sky from hilltops last night startled the populace, but no significance was attached to it so far as the mine strike is concerned. Five thousand miners from the dis trct will attend a mass meeting today at Star City. six miles away.
 On Non-Union Basis.
 Reports from Wheeling, w. Va, concerning activities in Belmont and neighborng counties in Ohio across the river, showed that about 19,700 men were out of the mines. Charles ton, w. Va, reported that 10000 union men left their jobs last even- ing, tools in hand. The strike began quietly in Clarksburg, but no figures on the number of strikers were available last night Here. too, some operators were credited with having attempted some operations on non- union basis but the result was in doubt Beckley union officials were unable to estimate the result of the strike order but felt safe in saying that in the New River field the sus- pension would be 100 per cent. com- plete and in the Winding Gulf area about 55 per cent. effective since large number of non-union men are employed in the latter. These the union leaders are attempting to or ganze Officials of the New River company said they expected cessa- ton in the Raleigh county mines but not in those in Fayette county.
 No Disorder ...
 There was nothing to indicate that the walkout had been anything but orderly at all points, and wherever union men were employed ample forces to man the pumps and fans and otherwise protect the mines were left at their posts when the suspension took place.
 Nearly 5000 Out.
 Lansford, Pa, April .1-The anthra- cite mines of the I.ehigh Coal and