Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-11-27
BOTH SIDES STICKING.
But Change in the River Coal Min
ers' Strike May Come Soon.
THE EFFECT OF BOATING WATER.
Old Employees Replacing Men. Union Work.
ers at Homestead.
NEWS OF THE GREAT LABOR WORLD

The close of the eleventh week of the
river miners strike finds both sides firm,
The strike was declared on reduction of
half cent bushel asked by the operators,
so as to put them on an equal footing with
the railroads. The operators have been
claiming that the strike was practically
over for the past month, but there has been
no considerable break and the fight is being
pushed with vigor on both sides.
At a special meeting of the Coal E1-
change yesterday considerable business was
transacted. Much of the time was spent
in considering the strike and hearing the
committees report on the number of men
at work. Some men were reported to have
returned, but there are only few working
in each mine. These are principally en-
gagged in driving headings and turning
rooms. No coal of any consequence is be-
ing mined, and the operators are very un-
easy, as the season is much advanced
The Effect of Barge Water.
Water is expected at any time, and when
it does come about all the coal now loaded
will be sent out, so that the market will be
practically left to the railroads. The price
for this fuel in the Southern markets is
high and the demand good. This leaves
the operators in a bad way, and it is no Sc
cret that many of them are becoming very
uneasy. In order to break the strike
many of them have imported men,
but their efforts have not been very
successful. IS in some instances the new
men have been driven out by the strikers
Captain I. n. Bunton, in speaking of the
outlook yesterday. said: "The operators
will not give in and pay u cent bushel
more for their coal than the railroads are
now giving. 1t simply means death to the
river trade, and many would likely sell out
before giving in, but from reports I don't
think anything like this will be necessary,
as think the mines will soon be at work
at the reduced rates. Reports point to
that and 1 see no reason to doubt them.
think the strike will be over before De-
cember !"
A miner from the fourth pool yesterday,
when the strike was mentioned, said: "We
are as firm as ever. There is generally
plenty of work and the miners are not suf-
fering. We understand the situation and
know where the weak points of the opera
tors are and intend to act accordingly.
The Miners Are Not Discouraged.
Gall this talk about the strike being
broken is nonsense. Every day that the
strike continues our chances for winning in
crease, and we intend to do that very thing.
As soon as the water rises to boating stage
there will be some mighty quick changes,
and 1 don't think it will be on our side
either. Why, look at 1.-THE price for coal
is away up and there is little in the South
ern markets. Do you suppose the operators
will allow this chance to pass. Well.
don't think so. 1t will be as it has been in
other years, some operator will give us the
price and the others will have to follow.
tell you up my way the people
don't feel very well toward the
new men, brought in to take their
places and they won't stand it if it is kept
up very long. The vote taken at the Globe
works yesterday shows just about how the
men feel on this question and 1 tell you
they are not going to give in very soon.
We can remain out better than the
operators and have no doubt as to how
the strike will end.''
1t is generally considered among the boat
stores that change of some kind will take
place soon, as the coming of the water with
the scarcity of coal will force some one to
give in. The railroads are the gamers BY the
present strike, and it is to their interest to
have it continued or get the river men to
pay the old price. Some move is expected
that will turn the strike one wav or the
other in . few days.