Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-04-01
AT STANDSTTLL
WILKES-BARRE REPORTS

Wilkes Barre. Pa, April 1.--Opera-
tions in the anthracite coal fields were
at a standstill today under the suspen-
sion order of the United Mine Work
ers OF America Reports from all sec
tions Of the three districts were that
tho fifty eight companies operating.
one hundred and nfty-five thousand
men aud boys were idle. 1t was tho first
general suspension In the anthracite
aelds since 1912 when new wage
scale was signed on May 20. and was
ordered by the union pending the nego-
tiations of n wage contract 10 take
the place OF the ono which expired
yesterday
All Strike mt Wilkes Barre.
April j Is always observed by the
miners union as holiday I'm cole
bration OF winning the eight-hour day
In the soft coal fields. Operators and
officials Of the union alike agreed that
tho tie-up would be 100 per cent eff
fective. only such men as are needed for
tho maintenance OF equipment and the
protection Of property-approxim
1000 viii remain at work. it was
stated
Notices arc posted NJ the Jermyn
colliery, AT Old Forge. that the mine
will work and officials OF tho Bea-
yer Valley Coal Company in Scotch
Valley. near Bloomsbury. announced
last night after the shooting from am
bush OF ono OF its non-union men
that they would attempt TO operate
during tho suspension.
There has been strike a, the Jer-
myn colllery. an independent operation
for several weeks. and the union men
at the Beaver Valley mine walked on,
three days ago after a controversy over
tho discharge OF blacksmith. This
man shot WAS one OF tho few who rs.
mainsd at work. He said he had nc
enemies nd was at a loss TO explain the
attack. Union officials said It was not
an outgrowth of the general suspen-
sion order.
No Disorders, Lenders Warned.
orders have been issued by each OF
/ the three district presidents, William
/ J. Brennan. District Number ]: c. J
/ Golden. District Number 0, and John
Kennedy. District 7. warning tho mer
against violence Of any sort or at
tempts 10 damage mine property.
There will be no picketing. unior
officials said.
/ Although no disorder is contem-
plated. the State police and sheriff;
OF the various counties are prepared
for any emergency. The State Trooper
have established sub stations through.
out the hard coal region and official,
at Harrisburg are watching the situa
ton closely.
! With two exceptions the OPERATOR
have declared there would not be tn.
slightest effort TO work the mines
while negotiations for new wag.
agreement were on.
The daily loss in production due 4
the tie-up is estimated at 90S. 900 ton
OF hard coal and the daily loss in wage
at present rates at 100000. affecting
10000 families.
Railroads have discontinued min
runs and crews thus employed VT
be out OF work. All railroad compan
ies have eerved notice on their me
that with the mines Idle and no Goa
70 move. there viii be nothing 70
them TO do while the Suspension |
defective. Coal in most company yard
twas cleared before the suspension or
der went into force.
Many foreign born mine worker
today We're planning to leave for thei
native lands. some TO return whe
the suspension is over and others {
1--we at their old homes upon their saw
ings.
In many sections there were meet
Fings of local unions today. Thes
meetings were called mainly for tn
purpose Of again warning the me
lagainst disorder and TO enlist the SUP
port OF as many as possible in tn
movement 20 keep trouble out OF tn
suspension.
From the operators comes the assur
anco that there will not be a poun
Of coal minded while the wage confer
. ences are on. The plan OF tho compan
les is 10 reduce their storage so tina
when settlement comes there will b
opportunity for tho revival Of the IN
dustry on a full time basis.