Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-04-17
COAL OPERATORS
OR EANAwHA VALLEY on THE ANTI-SURIP
AND SCREEN BILLS.
They Declare That Both Of the Measures are
Unconstitutional and Will Resist Their
Enforcement BY Legal Msans-A General
Strike in the Valley Not improbable
Special telegram 70 ne Register.

Special telegram 70 ne Register.
CHARLESTON, April l6.-Ever since
the passage by the Legislature at its re-
cent session of the "anti-scrip" law to
prevent the payment Of laborers' wages
10 merchandise, checks not redeemable
in cash, and the law to provide for the
measurement Of coal before screening,
there have been meetings ana rumors OF
rebellion among the coal operators OF
this valley. They claim, although the
question was fully discussed in the Leg
iSlature before the passage Of the laws,
and though the best constitutional law
yerS in the Legislature voted for the
laws, that they are unconstitutional. Ii
was reported that the operators would
all shut down their works and re-
fuse 10 continue under the new
laws, but this idea was aban-
dOned. The operators have. however,
resolved 10 test the cOnStitutiOnality
Of the laws in question, and a largely
attended meeting Of the coal operators
Of the Kanawha valley was held here
to-day. Nearly every company in the
valley was represented, and the follow
ing resolutions were adopted:
WHEREAS, The Legislature of West Vir-
ginia. 40 its last session, passed two laws,
materially and iniuriously affecting the
coal industry of the kanawha valley, as
well as all other sections of the State, one
OF said laws being known as House Bill
No. l49, taking effect June >, 1891, in re-
latiou % the payment of laborers' wages.
aud the other known as House Bill No. $50,
providing for the weighing and measuring
OF coal before the same is screened.
BE &C Resolred, BY the undersigned opera
tors Of coal mines in the kanawha valley
that we condemn the hasty and inconsider-
ate action OF the Legislature IN passing such
laws, the operation of which will seriously
retard the development Of the State; and
being advised that the same are in viola
uon of the constitution of the State we
pledge ourselves 10 resist their enforce
ment by all legal means.
RfsD'rcd, That each operator will con-
tinue his business as heretofore.
Signed
CEpNR GROVE MINiNG Co
MARNET MINING Co.
CRoWN HILL SrLINr CoNL Co.
MOUNT CARBON Coal Co.
PEEL SPLiNr Coal Co.
PEERLESS CoAL Co.
GREAT kANAWHA CoLLiERY Co.
WYNNr Coal NNp COKE Co.
CHAMPION Mine.
81. CLAIR Coal AND COKE Co.
NJ. T. DAVIS X Co.
MOUNT MORRIS COAI Co
Consolidated Coal Co.
WINFIELD CONL Co.
PIONEER COL Co.
BELMONT Coal Co.
CARVER Coal Co.
CARVER BROS
UNION Coal Co.
STANDARD COU AND COKE Co.
BLACK BAND MINING AND M'T'G Co
CoN VALLEY MINING Co.
W. Il. JOHNSON.
STEVENS CoNL Co.
The laws We're demanded by the miners
as a protection against alleged in treat
ment AZ the hands OF their employees,
and NJ the State Convention OF the
United Mine Workers of America, held
here yesterday, resolutions were passed
demanding the enforcement Of the laws
just what action the miners will resort
90 when they find the operators defying
the law is not known. but 10 is not AZ all
improbable that a general strike may be
ordered through the entire valley.