Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-04-29
Miners officials Postpone the Eight
Hour Struggle and Turn Their
Attention Toward
SUPPORTING THE COKE WORKERS.
Strong Feeling Exists Against the Fedora
tion Of Labor, and Secession
May Occur by
MINERS WITHDRAWING FROM THE BODY
Carpenters Complete Their Arrangements for Quitting
Work To-Mercv.

the eght-hOur movement iOr the present
will be regarded with general satisfaction.
IN this section especially, where so many
Thousand families are dependent upon the
coal industry for livelihood; all danger of
general strike will be averted, and the
questions between the operators and men
will be narrowed down. to one of wages.
The river miners will not, however, be dis
turbed. The eight-hour bugbears, which
these men never faucied, set on one side,
leaves them at liberty to continue work at
satisfactory prices. 1t is different with the
railroad miners, who, almost at the last mo-
ment, have decided to go out on May FOR
al advance of 10 cents per ton. This ques-
tion will be debated at district convention
to be held tomorrow at 10 o'clock, at the
knights of Labor headquarters, Third ave
nue and Market street, but it is generally
understood that the meeting will be very
little more than formal, since the sentiment
among the men is regarded as being strong
in favor of the action. Seventv-nine cents
is the present ruling price, but the New
York and Cleveland Gas Coal Companys
mines and TWO small mines are operated
at a.
Argument of the Local Miners.
The argument of the miners for an ad
vance OF 10 cents is that they are entitled to
be as well paid for their work as the river
men. The latter receive 79 cents III the
fourth pool and 90 cents in the other pools.
simultaneously with the abandonment Of
the eight-hour movement, comes the an
nouncement that the miners NAV withdraw
from the American Federation OF Labor,
because of the latter's refusal TO extend aid
10 them for other purposes than to further
the eight-hour movement The feeling at
Columbus ran high against the Federation
FOR refusing to tender any Of the special
fund raised in support of the eight-hour
struggle, in aid of the ConnellsvilIe miners.
Delegates who passed through from the
Ohio capital yesterday said that the dele
gates and officials were so aroused against
the Federation that the question of witl-
drawal from that organization was debated,
and in consequence of this feeling action
toward withdrawal would be taken at the
next annual convention at the close of the
year.
The executive officers of the mine workers
concluded their session at Columbus by
issuing an address to miners. signed by j.
?. Jones. W. B. Wilson, Johu Kane, James
White, NJ. j. Goings, 1. Paisley, w. c.
Pearce, J. Wise, j. Nugent, j. p. Mcbride,
y. T Webb, j. B. Rae and Hugh Nc
Laughlin. They also make appeal to local
unions for aid for the coke workers in sup
plrmentary address. The first address is as
Iouows:
An Address of Explanation.
FELLOW MINERs-From the time that mining
became an industry of importance within the
boundary of the United States of America the
question of shortening the hours of labor has ex-
ercised the minds Of the thinking men of our
trade. Circumstances, brought about by the
exceptionally peculiar position of our industry
both with regard to geographical location and
diversity of thought and opinion entertained
ploymeut within our trade, rendered IL i'm
possible to unite the miners of the country In
one solid phalanx for any given object of reform.
But by the natural law OF evolution: by practice
aud exercise of manly patience, and by sup
preston OF personal prejudice on the part OF tIe
miners OF the country during the past two years,
had arrived at the stage in organization at our
miners throughout the whole land believed that
this great reform, viz, eight hours was within
our easy rasp p. and steps were taken by resolution
and otherwise to inaugurate the system.
Since that time the world mas been startled by
one OF the most awe-nspirng strikes I'm the annals
OF our trade The coke workers of the Connells-
Vile region Tor Inc past l. weeks nave Deen Ile
participants IN 2 batIle waEeu ny organlzea capt.
TAI against organized labor, which can only be
eyirabIe strife between the two forces in general
and more comprehensive manner.
A Great Drain on the Treasury.
While the men, women ana children of this
region have the victims OF the Sheriff's wrts
and his deputies WincBesters. and while they are
now threatened with the still more cowardly and
still more INSCRIPTIONS methods of the dastardly
Piukertons it has been the duty of the United
Mine Urkers to render TO those people all the
financial assistance possible ana compatible with
the laws OF our organization. Therefore it b un-
necessary that should say that the funds which
under Otuer circumstances would have been avail
able for our purpose on the lst Of May have been
yerv materially reduced In word, the time, at
tcEtiOn and hnances OF our organization have
been diverted a channel which at the time of
our annual convention was almost wholly unex-
When the late PittsDurg Convention was held.
It WAS ordered there that If necessary to review
Ehe situation previous to the LIST OF May. the Dis
Irict Presidents should be called together with
the National Executive Board to consult as to
the proper course to be adopted and we now learn
that there has been. within the competitive dis
trict a perfection on the part of the disorganized
miners of various sections and as the custodians
OF the interests OF the people who have placed
in the positions which we occupy, we positively.
though reluctantly, refuse with our eyes open and
with a full and complete knowledge of the situa-
tion jeopardize those interests and will not be
responsible for the accompanying sunerings and
sacrifices OF strike 10 our constituents and their
families.
Considered an Honorable Retreat.
Seeing, do, the above mentioned situa-
sion, and knowing, do, that thousands of
vampires and vultures-fOr that is their proper
name-are waiting now for the LIST OF May, that
they may feed as it were. on the sacrifices of the
organized miners Of the country, appreciate
fully the bOdness of this step. we realize the dis
appointment thousands of friends. but
realizing that discretion is the better part OF
valOr and that the good general, rather than lead
his army hcadlOng To disaster, prefers TO make
honorable retreat we take the latter course, and
ii Il be called retreat prefer it rather than
TO have The maledictions of our people after they
have suffered for keeping back the truth from
them, and have determined At the present time to
continue the fight in the coke region with all our
following resolution, and submit 1t to you with all
cantor, humility and respect:
EtsOlyed, That the eight-hour movement be de-
ferred Tor the time being. and that the time Tor
be left In the hands OF the National Execu-
Board anu the Presidents OF the various dis
trIcts.
Action of the Planning Mill People.
The Allegheny County Planning Mill Associa-
tiOn held full meeting yesterday, and passed
a series OF resolutions regarding its position in
the eight-hcur ami wages question. The senti-
ment of the meeting undivided in regard
to the action taken, and the plan of campaign
adopted at the previous meeting received
unanimous confirmation. Two new members
were admitted TO the association, which now
includes every mill in the county with the ex-
ception Of two, employing about 80 men.
Secretary Ahlers was authorized 10 CON-
nlunicate the adoption of the following resoIu- |
ti,.n:
Resolved. That we start our mills on MAY un- |
der the following rules, and the Secretary be in
sIraclcd to have the same printed and distributed
among the members:
tlrst-Ae will employ as many apprentices as |
sccond-Ihat we classify wages according to |
ability and skill OF workmen.
1hird-Nine hours shall constitute a days |
Fourth We will employ men regardless OF |
,vl.o hort fhsTh hPl 20 Or