New-York tribune., 1922-02-20
Threat of Coal
Strike Looked
Upon as Bluff
Belief Prevails i'll Pitts
burgh District That OPP
orators and Men Alike
Expect TO Make Terms
Industries Well Fortified
Big Stocks of Fuel Rushed
to Plants in Anticipa-
ton of Possible Tie-Up
sreosol Dispatch to Tic Tribune

sreo{cl Dispatch 10 The T-tbuns
PITTSBU RGH, Feb. ~ While coal
operators to-day were ready to defv
the union miners who yesterday an
nounced their intention 10 inauqurate
general strike on April I. and willis
the union miners expressed confidence
IN their ability to MAKE tho operators
Weld to their demands for a six-hour
day and tlve-day week as part of new
wage agreements to be insisted unon
the feeling prevails widely in the
Pittsburgh district that both sides TO
the controversy have been doing more
or less bluffng. Also. there is a pretty
general conviction that if the miners
referendum is in favor Of a strike. the
coal operators and the industrial plants
when LOOK to them for fuel arc in far
better shape for battle than the miners
are, and that the strike in a compara
tve'y short timc would prove disas-
:rous to the workmen.
cW definite fac.s or figures arc
ava able to serve as q guide in irving
10 determine to what extent Industries
N the Pittsburgh district are ready for
coal strike il II comes, but il is known
inat manufacturer have exhibited lit
te concern over the recent threats of
the United Mine Workers. and that
piacency the news of the action taken
yesterday by the miners at the conven-
ton IN indianapolis.
Many Plants Ovcrstock,d
il IS pointed out. to begin with. that
MINIS ahH other manufacturing plants
have been closed or working only ON
part tine for many months. that .hov
have not been byiNg coal i'm arge oman,
:lties and that they have shown foy
Signs OF beng in the market for coal
ior iong time to come. Most Of then,
already are overstocked with theirvsri-
GUS products. and even if there should
be sudden revival of demand which
not expected. they would have little
dlflcuity IN meeting it for time WITH
out turning h wheel
Few plants in This district have
srge stocks OF coal on hand. but !. +.
expected that in the next month .bo,,
VIII increase their fuel reserves as 3
precautionary measure. Nirtuallv ali
the important manufacturing concerrs
are believed 20 have large stocks of
standard prod acts on hand. The eteol
mills are stocked up on standard sjzos
and shapes. In the event Of roceivjno
orders or special shapes and special
1nds 0. structural steel. Il is under
1000 tina, the mills in the PITTSBURGH
ols;FN' Will nave enough cos, to fill
sucn orders tor a long time ahead
ne immediate effect Of the strike
snnouncement 1t was evident to-nipht
VIII be an energetic effort. beginning
tomorrow 10 operate all tho mines
s0'n union and non-union. ct capacitv
curing the weeks that remain before
ne sake, II called, VIII begin. Fore
seeing the likelihood OF coal short
4se 'he small wagon mines in this dis
r Irt oegan several weeks ago to mine
az the coal their mines would produce
oeg'Nning to-morrow the large mines
ere expected to pursue the sama course
with view to having as big stock
coal as possible on hand by April |.
West Virginia Defeat Recalled
Much significance is attached to the
manner in which union miners i'm the
nearby bituminous district of West Viz
ginia have gone back to work at re
duced wages, after having been out Of
work tor weeks, with 10 prospects OF
gaining wage concessions In some in
stances the reopening of mines followed
specific requests on the part of idle
workmen Mines which lad operated
ander union agreements from the time
hey were established, a quarter of
century or more ago. are now operat-
ing Nor-urion. It is believed that in
,rict will follow the example Of the
Vest Virginia men if. like the latter.
'Aey ind themselves in position whore
Aoidlng out for the union demands
oilers no hope.
As a matter of fact. however. there
feeling among business men that
mere will be 10 prolonged controversy
between the miners and operators in
MS district. 1t IS recognized that a.
most every agreement entered into be
,seen the two groups has been preceded
period Of bluffing. 1t has been the
practice Of the miners to ask for a so
per cent raise when they expected to
ss' about 10 per cent. 1t has been the
prsctlce Of the operators to announce
1,er intention TO impose a cut in wages
wen as matter of fact. they expected
% gran, slight increase
Settlement Is Looked For
In view OF the history Of differences
N'Ween miners and operators in past
?esrs' 1t is felt that instead Of the
operators and tho 600 bituminous
ana anthracite miners Of the country
saa'erng upon open warfare. some basis
:. settlement, requiring concessions by
00'h sides, Will be reached.
oloUNGSTOWN. Ohio. Feb. 1a
Steel mills in the YOUNGSTOWN district
a.ieaoy have begun to accumulate stocks
'. coal and coke in anticipation of
.osslole mine strike it was learned here
.v,nisht Railroads report that much
s.sdver movement of fuel TO plants here
S'sah TWO or three weeks ago and has