Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 May 1902 — MINERS ARE FOE WAR [ARTICLE]

MINERS ARE FOE WAR

ANTHRACITE WORKERS VOTE TO CONTINUE STRIKE. Leader* Realize that Thia Will Be One of the Greatest Labor Struggle* la the Country's History—The Decision Involves 145,000 Men. Anthracite miners have voted to begin what many say will be the most serious labor struggle in the history of the country, if not the greatest in the world. At the convention in Hazelton, Pa., it was decided to continue the strike of 145,000 miners to the bitter end. The step taken by the miners, after practically considering the matter for two months, has wiped out the uncertainty of the situation, and it is freely predicted that the most serious labor struggle in the history of the country, if not the world, is to begin. That is the view taken by nearly every miner. While the leaders are cautious and will not forecast their actions, it is not unlikely that the minors’ figfit will bo carried into the bituminous coal regions and into other fields of industry. Mine workers for eighteen months have been looking forward to the strike that ia now upon them. They have saved their money and are considered to be in better shape to-day for a fight than they were in the great strike of 1900. That struggle ended in the mine owners giving the men a 10 per cent advance after a six weeks’ suspension. The operators are on record as being unalterably opposed to granting the men any concessions, and they have personally informed the mine workers' leaders of that fact. The workmen fear that the present fight may mean the destruction of their organisation, because they believe that the mine owners are bent more on wrecking their union than they are in opposing the demands for higher wages and shorter work days. Leaders Give Advice. President Mitchell’s advice to the miners was peace and he gave it to them in the plainest and most forceful of language. He was ably assisted by President Fahy and Secretary Martlein of the lower district and Secretary Dempsey of the upper territory. President Nichols of the first district was the great champion of the strike advocates. Mr. Mitchell, who was the last to speak, was listened to with the greatest attention. While the people of the coal fields are glad that the suspense and uncertainty occasioned by the long delays in reaching a conclusion of the strike question aro over, the news of the convention’s action has caused considerable depression. Business in the anthracite region haa been paralyzed to a certain extent and it will probably come to almost a standstill.