Thirty-Fourth Week of Struggle

Week succeeds week, development succeeds development, and still the great mining struggle continues, and at present the long wished-for settlement seems far away in the hazy distances of the unknown. The official death of the strike, which took place last week, when the Council of the Miners’ Association recommended the men to return to work, seems to have had anything but the desired effect. Indeed the men of Denaby and Cadeby have now taken the matter into their own hands, and, if the late public processions and demonstrations are anything to go by, intend to carry on the struggle still further, and show not the slightest sign of giving way.

Another Big Procession

was held on Monday, when the men walked, hundreds strong, from Conisboro’ to Mexboro’ and back, the strike leaders heading the lot, with the local G.C.R. Plant Band providing stirring march music. The demonstration was orderly, but it was noticeable that several policemen were in attendance all through the walk round. The augmentation of police at Conisboro’ and Denaby was thought necessary, and on Monday considerable reinforcements arrived. Supt. Macdonald, of Rotherham, visited Conisboro’ on Monday, and in the afternoon there was again a lot of cheering and booing at the “blacklegs” that arrived by various trains to sign on. The women were the most excitable, but the hardiness of the police prevented hostility taking practical form.

A Quiet Day

Tuesday was quite a contrast and there was nothing out of the common at the noted colliery villages. There was not the slightest attempt at a hostile demonstration against the men who continued to work, and during the day several more strangers alighted at Conisboro’ station to strengthen the workers at the pits.

The Intimidation Case

Wednesday was again marked with an air of quietness at Conisboro’ and Denaby, and it was evident that the large force of police, under Supt. Blake, of Doncaster, had a beneficial effect. Of course, the chief interest was centred in the police court proceedings at Doncaster, where the hearing of the intimidation charge against John Nolan, one of the strike committee, was resumed. The court was crowded with miners, and much evidence was given as to the large crowds that gathered in the vicinity of Conisboro’ station and Hexthorpe Bridge, for the purpose of getting the new hands not to work. Certainly, regarding intimidation, although there can be no doubt a good deal has been used, the evidence brought forward was very slight, and it came somewhat as a surprise when the defendant was committed for trial at the Assizes. Both Mr. Neal, for the prosecution, and Mr. Muir Wilson, for the defence, ably fought the case, and were afterwards deservedly congratulated by the chairman of the Bench. Mr. Wilson’s ready flow of eloquence, and Mr. Neal’s quiet, matter-of-fact references to legal acts, presented a great contrast, and both, in their own way, did good service for the sides they represented.

Feeding the Hungry

As the struggle proceeds, it in no wise lessens the many existing cases of individual distress, and the Rev. Jesse Wilson, of the Manse, Mexboro’, is continuing his good work of trying, in a measure, to alleviate suffering and hunger. His work is outside the pale of the dispute; he sees people are hungry, and he tries to feed them. Nor are the cases he is alleviating entirely confined to those who are suffering from the strike, for, as a matter of fact, many of the class he serves and their families have been helped. Money is still steadily coming in, but the rev. gentleman could do with much more, and, to give an instance of the growth of the demand for help, it may interest our readers to know that on Tuesday he, with his staff, gave away 1000 half-stones of flour, and 300 pennyworths of yeast. And yesterday morning our reporter met a large number of women coming from the direction of the Manse, each carrying a packet of tea. On enquiry he found that 500 packets had been distributed, and many people had to be sent empty away.