The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-01-26
THE MINERS, B.TrLg.
Convention Set for February lo-It VIII Be
the Fisrcest Fight That Ams rioan Labor
Erar Had.

CONVENTION Set Tor Eobrunfy 1o-AG Will %
the Fisrcest Fight That American Labo
Ever Had.
NEW YoRK, Jan. 25.-Presideut Sam
uei Gompers, of the American Fedora
tlon OF Labor, speaking of the contem
plated strike Of the United States Min
ers' Association for an eighthour day,
said:
For two years past the miners OF the
country have been quietly preparing
for this second great battle In the war
Of American workers for an eight.hour
work day. They are as ready for the
fight, II fight II must be, as the carpent-
ers were two years ago, and In the end
their victory will be as complete. They
are splepdidly organized and in strong
financial condition, having nearly 600.-
900 members and several million dollars
in the treasury.
A convention OF the United Mine
Workers OF America has been called by
the Executive Board TO meet at Oolum.
ous, OHIO, February 10. AT that con.
yention it is probable chat the demand
Tor an eight.hour day will be formulated.
Then, having served notice on the EN-.
ployes, the unions will wait quietly
until May l, when q strike will be begun
wherever the demand is not acceded to.
GREATEST OF LABOR BATTLES.
It's to be hoped that no strike WILDE
necessary, but the attitude taken in re-
cent troubles with the companies, es.
pecially in the Pennsylvania coke re-
gion. give ussmuch reason 70 fear that
the fight will be long and bitter one.
In fast, II will probably be the biggest
and fercest strike in the history Of
American labor. It will be confined to
the miners. There will b9 no sympa.
thetic strikes, but all the trades sflitli.
ated In the Federation will lend the
movement strong moral and financial
support.
shorter hours for the miners will mean
shorter hours for workers in all other
branches Of industry, aud there can be
no doubt that q reduction Of the hours
OF labor will do more than any other
measure to afford work to the hundreds
of Thousands Of unemployed; increase
wages by cutting of this starving com.
petition, aud bring about real prosperity
in all branches OF business by the I'm.
nense impetus that will be given to
popular consumption of all the necessa'
ries and luxuries Of life. rhe movement
Is moderate, sensible and practical. 1t
deserves the earnest sympathy and sup.
port Of the public everywhere.
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A special telegram from London says:
The cabled announcement Of The i'm.
pending strike OF American miners for
an eight.hour day has been received by
the labor leaders here with sympathetic
interest. The suggestion has been made
hat similar struggle might with mu-
.ual advantage be commenced here sim-
But the miners represent
ltives are emphatically of the opinion
hat violent methods should not and
will not be resorted to until the House
of Commons shall have given Its vote
1pon the eight.hour bill, which is to be
early this session.
The eight.hour day is an accomplished
fact already in number Of English col.
ieries, and is said to work so well that
/ would be generally conceded il de.
A simple demand would be
strengthened by the backing Of John
Morley and other Liberal opponents OF
legislative interference with organized
abor. But the men themselves are Of
he opinion that the question can be set.
led speedily, effectively and, above all,
permanently, by an act OF Parliament.