The Labor Volcano That Cooled: Seattle’s Coal Strike Ends in Days

THE TROUBLE IS SETTLED.

An Order Issued That Is Satisfactory to the Knights.

To all outward appearances the labor volcano, which had burst forth in some places on Monday, had quieted down yesterday and was as calm and cool as could be. The walkout, or strike, termed to have ended as quickly as it began. It appears that the Knights of Labor were not in earnest after all, and that the men walked out of the different coal mines simply to show everybody what they could do if they so desired.

It would seem, from the best information obtainable, the coal operators have made nearly all the concessions asked for by the Knights of Labor. With this understanding work was resumed at all the mines yesterday morning and the trouble was apparently over.

ALL QUIET AT THE MINES.

At the office of the Seattle Coal Iron Company it was learned that everything was quiet at the Oilman mine. It was the impression there that the miners quit work for the purpose of showing the power of the Knights of Labor. It was feared that a general strike might come at any moment as the miners, under the domination of the Knights of Labor, would go out at any time and for no unjust cause. It was their understanding that the committees of the Knights of Labor were negotiating with Mr. McNeill and others, and that the outcome of this might be a strike.

At the office of the Cedar River Coal Company the officers stated that the miners had resumed work yesterday morning and that no farther trouble was apprehended.

H. W. McNeill, manager for the Oregon Improvement Company, stated that the miners were all at work at the Franklin, Black Diamond and other mines controlled by his company. All was quiet at the mines and there was no great fear of further trouble.

MR. MCNEILL'S MANIFESTO.

Yesterday Mr. McNeill issued the following manifesto in reply to questions submitted to him by a committee from the Knights of Labor concerning the alleged discrimination against members of that order at Newcastle and elsewhere:

"My plain duty is to support all men whom I find peaceably at work, and this will be done to the full extent of my power. The men who are now out of employment left the work voluntarily. Nearly all the places have been filled, and I see no way to better the position they have taken except that as additions may be needed that there will be no discrimination for or against any man because of his connection or non-connection with any labor organization." (Signed) H. W. McNeill.

STATUS OF THE DOYLE CASE.

It will be remembered that the case of Michael Doyle caused the trouble at Newcastle. In response to a request Mr. McNeill gave the following opinion as to the status of this now celebrated case:

"My opinion is that while we are in some doubt as to Doyle's right under the unwritten law and custom of the mines to have himself selected a place in the mine, he was put right on in his turn, because a miner who had a place selected him as a partner."

It may be said in explanation that the miners work in rotation, and the work is given out according to the number. As soon as a breast is worked out, the miner who finished it is put at the foot of the list, while those at the head of the list are given the first work.

To be brief, Mr. McNeill held that Doyle was rightfully in his place in the mine, but if he had been put in a new location he would have forfeited it under the unwritten law, but as he was selected by a man who had a place, his position in the mine was impregnable.

COCHRANE BECOMES TECHNICAL.

Sheriff Cochrane arrived from his farm on Monday night and yesterday stated that he had been asked by Colonel Haines and Mr. McNeil of the Oregon Improvement Company to go to Newcastle to aid in suppressing trouble there. The petition for help, he said, did not come in a legal way, and he did not propose to pay any attention to it. The county, he said, could not afford to keep a standing army at Newcastle. As the company had established an arsenal at Newcastle of its own and was almost challenging the miners to mortal combat, he did not propose to step in between the belligerents. He had, however, sent a telegram to Governor Berry asking him over to court martial the Oregon Improvement Company for sending rifles to the miners. As yet he had received no answer from the Governor although he understood he had gone to Roslyn to endeavor to settle the labor troubles there.

LAW ON GASP.

Deputy Sullivan has been here for the past three days with a posse of United States marshals under his command. They were all ready to proceed at a moment's notice to any point where trouble might break out but from the shape matters have assumed in the last twenty four hours it looks as though there would be no need of their services.

EVERYTHING QUIET AT NEWCASTLE.

Mr. T.J. Milner returned at 10 o'clock last evening from the Newcastle mines. He reports that everything is quiet there and that there is no indication of anything that looks like trouble. The trestles and other property of the company are guarded by armed men, who will see to it that nothing is harmed.

The executive committee of the Knights of Labor met at Renton yesterday and after holding a secret session adjourned and dispersed to their several homes. Just what action the committee took is not known.