Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-04-26
NO GENERAL STRIKE.
Many Miners Working Under Special
Agreements May Render
ONE MAY STRIKE UNIMPORTANT.
officials Meeting at Columbus To-MorroH
May Compromise on
A BASIS FOB NINE HOURS WORK A DAY

Though the miners organization has been
so pronounced in declaring that general
strike of the craft will occur on the 1st of
May, in support of the eight-hour theory,
there are grounds for believing that the
strike, if it occurs at all. will not be SO
widespread as is popularity supposed. A
very great number of the miners are work
ing under conditions which are either en-
tirely satisfactory to them. as for example
the workers along the Monongahela river.
or are bound down to unexpired yearly
agreements with their employers.
The latter condition is true in the case of
the miners working for the Westmoreland
and Penn Gas Coal Companies, the New
York and Cleveland Gas Coal Company and
many minor concerns, both in this district
and along the main line of the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company. No complaint has
arisen from the men employed by these
companies, and if they go on strike next
Friday in violation OF their agreements they
will make q precedent which may tend to
bad results when future working agreements
between labor and capital are being consid-
cred. ..--- .-.
The Hooking Valley miners have en-
tered into an agreement with the mine own
ers, and deducting this body of men. the
Monongahela miners, two-thirds ,f the rail-
road miners in the district, and urge pro-
portion of the Jefersop. Armstrong and
Cambria counties miners the number of
men lett to 60 out on the 1st OF May are not
SO numerous as to cause apprehension of
any particular disturbance In the coal mar
kets, or especial solicitude with regard to
the increased cost of fuel for either do
mestIc or manufacturing purposes. It
is more than probable that settlement
may be effected at Columbus, and that a
compromise may be effected in the matter
of % per cent reduction on the working
we'll informed and obserYant coal men there
Is no expectation of general eight-hour
strike on the 1st of May. .
A dispatch from Columbus received last
night says:
The mining situation is hanging in suspense.
There is in progress a series Of conferences
between the miners and the operators, and the
chances for and against strike are about
evenly divided. The Executive Board OF the
United Mine Workers of America was in ex-
ecutive session to-day, but no final action was
taken on account of the absence of Vice
President Penna, and Mr.. Comisky. The sit
uation was thoroughly discussed and the meet.
ing adjourned to Monday morning when the
absent members are expected to be present
President John Z. Rae Secretary Patrick
Mcbride, w. B. Wilson, John Nane and w. G.
Webb were the members of the board present.
The following district presidents were also in at
tendance: James White. of District No. 2. Pat
John r Paisley. of District 8. Pa; Peter Wise.
of District 4, Pa; NJ. McQuads. of District 5.
Pa; John p Jones, of District 6, O.. and Henry
Stephenson, of District 7, w. Va.
Miners Considering Propositions.
During the day several operators dropped
quietly into the city and appearances now indi-
cate that a compromise will be effected
Neither side wants a strike; the miners because
of the suffering 1t will infict in
their ranks: the operators because Of
the depression 1t would cause in business.
Either side Is willing TO meet the other half
way in an effort to compromise. Vice President
Coke, of The Columbus and Hooking Coal and
Iron Company, recently visited President Rae,
p. Jones. representative of the miners and
President OF the Ohio Trades and Labor Assem- |
bly,. who is attending the conference. visited |
one of the prominent operators of the city, and |
remained in consultation with him for some |
time An Ohio operator tonight informed a |
reporter that the operators have made prOpo- |
sition to concede nine hours and present prices |
provided the order for the strike be withdrawn. |
1t is understood that the miners are seriously |
considering the advisability of accepting the |
Monday will decide the matter. |
There Is rumor in select circles tonight that |
a prominent representative OF the miners came /
from Pittsburg to-day with well-matured plan |
for compromise, and the probabilities are
that it will be agreed upon. What 1t is, or who
he is, cannot be learned. but Patrick Mcbride, |
of the United Miners, states they nave |
nothing. They are waiting for
other members Of the board to arrive.