Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-02-10
COKE REGION TIED UP
Thirteen Thousand Workmen Quietly
Lay Down Their Tools.
MANY MORE WILL FOLLOW TODAY.
Amalgamated Association Will Not Change
the Scale Base.
KEW NATIONAL BANK PLAN EXPLAINED

The coke region is on the eve of a great
strike. The two contending elements are as
far from an amicable settlement of the wage
throughout the region removed their tools,
leaving at the works only what is required
to to-day's work.
The workmen employed in the Frick and
the Cambria Company's mines are already
idle. They number 5000 or 1000 men.
The workmen in the yards OF these COM
panies who draw coke will quit work this
evening. The miners and drawers are still
at work at the Mcclure Company's plants,
and will cease work simultaneously this
evening, as the strike or lockout, such as it
will really be at some of the works, will
then be formally declared. The smaller
operators are still anxious for settlement
to ward off the strike. but the larger COM
panies, it seems. will not act in concert
with them.
The Sentiment Seems for Strike.
The sentiment of the men throughout the
region is for strike, according to the re-
marks of leaders, who have addressed them.
A number of meetings have been held at the
central points during the last few nights, and
the men have expressed themselves as being in
favor of the move. 1t was feared that the roll
ing mill at Scottdale which consumes coal as
fuel, would be affected by the strike. Messrs.
DeHaven and McSloy. the workmen's srepresen-
tatives, met Operator D. G. Anderson, OF the
| company's mines yesterday and effected an
agreement by which the plant will continue
operations. at least till the close of the Column
bus convention. The shutdown of the rolling
mill consequently is not imperative.
The Frick Company has posted notices at
| conspicuous places about their plants that their
works will be closed down this evening owing
| to the failure to reach an arrangement for reg.
| ulatlon of wages. The notice says that IL should
not be termed strike OF lockout, as the COM
pany is ready to take up the wage question
with the labor representatives at any time.
Labor Leaders Consider 1t Lockout.
The labor people say it will certainly have to
be considered lockout, as the company did
not give the required six days notice in accord
ance with the articles of agreement They say
the diggers who were stopped Saturday should
have been allowed to work until this evening.
The cokers at the Frick Company's plant will.
however. cease working at the time intended
by the labor representatives.
The employees of the Fort Hill and PAUL.
plants Of w. l. Rainey, who have heretofore
been opposed to striking are said 10 be actually
engaged making preparations to Join the fight.
A riot which is attributed To the present wage
differences, took place at the Fort Hill Works
yesterday evening, IN Wnlcn ara BOSS onyuey
was disgracefuly assaulted and seriously hurt
The smaller coke companies are all preparing
for the general shutdown.
Worthy Foreman McSloy and John DeHaven,
| a prominent member of the Scale Committee
who are directing he workingmen in the absence
of the regular officials. say the men will all quit
work this evening and strike tomorrow. Tney
say the strength of the organization will be
fully demonstrated.
Closing Up Work at Connellsville.
The wage agreement of the Connellsville
coke operators and their employees expired yes
terday, and to-day will see general suspension
of work in the region. The coke drawers will
draw the balance of their ovens. but aside from
this no work will be, done. 4 committee of
men from the adjoiri ing works sent notice to
the Port Hill men to-day that il they did not
come out and join the strikers there would be
bloodshed. With this exception there Is no
| serious trouble in sight at any of the works
Mr.. Rainey has three works in operation,
namely: Grace 400 ovens; Fort Hill, 1856; PAUL,
| 2S9. He employs at each works about the same
number of men he has ovens. Rainey has
| given them notice of any reduction, and
| they have decided to remain at work. This
i resolution has been the cause of bloodshed. A
man named Livingston was badly beaten and
| then thrown in the river by lot of Huns. He
was not fatally injured, but more trouble is ex-
pected.
The H. C. Frick Company has posted notice
| inviting friendly conference with Its men.