Rensselaer Journal, Volume 12, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 June 1902 — SUPPLY OF GOAL SAID TO BE SHOOT [ARTICLE]

SUPPLY OF GOAL SAID TO BE SHOOT

Secretary Wilson Asserts There Is Not Enough to Last Three Months. STRIKE MAY NOT BE GENERAL Western Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois and Indiana Delegates to the Convention Expected to Stand by Their Contracts with Operators. Secretary-Treasurer Wilson of the United Mine Workers estimates that if a general mine strike is called the supply of bituminous and anthracite coal above ground will not last three months. According to his estimate, if the national convention in Indianapolis on July 17 should vote for a general suspension of work in support of the anthracite strike, the industrial machinery of the United States would be so handicapped for fuel that thousands of factories would have to suspend work. Wilson has statistics showing there are 450,000 miners in the country, scattered through thirty states. The miners in twenty-four states would be involved if there should be a suspension of operations. The Indiana operators have a short supply of coal on hand. Probably the largest supply of coal is in the bins at Buffalo, N. Y„ and other cities along the great lakes. The supply is shorter than usual. May Prevent General Strike. At the coming convention the belief is that western Pennsylvania, Indiana, Ohio and Illinois will take a hand against a general strike. These states have contracts they do not want to break. The combined vote of the competitive district with that of lowa is expected to prove strong enough to prevent the success of the proposition for a general strike. There are a number of states whose agreements expire July 1, and it will depend largely on the outcome of the deliberations between their operators and miners as to where the balance of power will lie in the convention. May Get Coal from Wales. The coal strike in the anthracite regions is compelling many of the large New York dealers to look abroad for relief. Manager Herbert of the firm of Herbert & Co. said that he had communication with some of the anthracite mine owners in Cardiff, Wales, for the importation of a supply of anthracite coal. The coal he desires, he says, is the broken anthracite suitable for use in locomotives and furnaces. This class of coal, he said, previous to the strike, sold for about $4.50 a ton. He expected, if he made a deal with the Welsh mine owners, it would cost $8 a ton in New York.