The Reading Strike

Bkadob, Pa., Jan. 14.- The breach between the Beadtne Kailroad Company and lts striking minera seems to be widening, and the impression prevalls throughout the región that they are farther trom a settlement of their difïiculties than ever before. President Corbin's refusal to see the committees of the strikers, his decisive answers to the business people of Schuylkill Connty, ihat he will not treat with any body of men as a labor organización, are all looked upon as evidencc that he has decided to defy the minere. William Lewis, of Shawnee, 0., the m .ster workman of the National Minors' Assembly, called on President Corbin lo effect a conference. President Corbin gave Mr. Lewis no answer to his appeal tor the arbitration of the miners' grievances alone, although the master workman waited for hours for an answer. Beahixc;, Pa., Jan. 17.- Eight hundred ppecial polictnicn now guard the Reading Kailroad C'ompany's property in the coal regions, 500 iiaviug been employed Monday. They are to be stationed at Shamokin, Gordon, Mohanoy Plañe, Palo Alto and Taniaqua, with two or three men at each of the company's collieries. Ruilroad oföcials are of the opinión that chere may be attempts at incendiarism and are making every preparation to meet any emergency. There is no mistaking the temper ot the Btrikers. They are becoming restless and desperate. The Eeading officials were never more determined than now to crush the Knights of Labor and are quietly preparing for a long etruggle. The líeading Compauy has issu ;d orders directing that all passenger engines be furnished with bituminous coal after to-day in place of anthracite. Three sir.king employés interfered with the company's officers at Mohanoy Plmie Monday and were promptly arres led and locked up. At Port Kichmond an engineer and his iireman were driven trom their engine and badly used up before they could be rescued. The ininers and laborers employed tt Taylor's colliery at Big Itun refused to return to work Monday, although they were offered the advance m pay. Five locomotives have been burned by non-union men. The leaders of the strike are discussing the possibility of bringing suits against the railroad company, complain ng that its duty as a common carrier is not being performed. Keadixg, Ta., Jan. 18.- Xo movemenb looking to a setücment of tlie strike was visible yesterday. The company maintains an nnbroken silence as to its policy or intentions.