Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-12-14
HE RIVERMEN MAD,
.ior Stickney'S Plan for the Logs
town Dixie to Be Fought by
ZIBERS OF THE COAL EXCHANGE.
sy also Oppose Bridge across the River
at Homestead.
yERAL NEWS OF THE LABOR WORLD

The river coal operators are thoroughly
rred mp over the action of the depart
nj officials at Washington in permitting
.or Stiekney to go ahead and build the
-stOwn dixie after his own plans
The Coal Exchange met yesterday in
Hecial session to consider some course
action, for as soon as word had been re-
we'd Saturday that the exchange
been Sighted, Secretary Til
issued immediate calls for
2cial meeting. The attendance was
very large, but the meeting was none
less spirited The report of the COM
gtee that had waited upon Major Stick
3 last night was heard. 1t was reported
II the committee could get no satisfaction
N the Major. He thoroughly explained
working of his plan. and showed its
" advantages over the old dixie, but
led to convince the rivermen that he was
1t, as they left him determined to check
,e his plans, if possible. The commit
after making its report, was instructed
continue its work of having the ideas of
a Exchange enforced. General Casey will
corresponded with and in case the
swer is not satisfactory the committee
j Immediately 90 to Washington again
have another conference with the de-
rtment officials, as the rivermen are de-
mined this dixie must be built as they
nk best
Want 20 Have Their Own Way.
Major Sticl1ney has promised to quit tear
The old stonework away from the north
d OF the old dixie preparatory to taking
away entirely and putting in his new
ze until the final decision of General
sew is rendered. He has already
edged away part of the river
3, and put in a good part of the dixie.
work is being pushed as rapidly as pos
le on the dam that extends directly
-czs the stream. The rivermcn want all
torn out and the old dixie repaired and |
lit to q height Of eight feet
The members of the Exchange are greatly |
rcised over what they consider as a snub |
he treatment thev have received at the |
ds of the Government officials. They |
N that sholld Major Snckney be |
nved TO 90 ahead and build the
on his proposed plans navigation
III be greatly hindered, as the current
MD be so swift and the dam extend so
-nto the stream that it could not be seen
-zkin- a tow down the river. There
Id be 4 constant danger of running into
projection and sinking the boats.
n-ain Mckinley, in discussing the dixie
erdav, said: There is only one way
At il; Major S.ickney must be made
the work, already put in. up and build
dam the way we want il. This is one !
The most important questions brought
nefore the Exchange for q long time and
intend to fight ii to the end. 1t will be
outrage to leave this thing 60, and it
S. be changed. What we want is the old
se repaired and built two feet higher
before"
he Exchange discussed the miners
Ee and heard reports from many of the
arators who had been up the river and
0ng the miners TO see Just what was
llg on. 1t was stated that while some of
men were returning others were coming
alter few DAYS work, but that most of
m were determined as ever. There was
a-ently no change, but since the rise
men were more active, as they now
ize that the next few days Will turn the
le one way or the other.
Hundreds of Empty Boats.
-undreds of coal boats are living at the
lies ready for loading These boats
re Just been recaulked, and should
" lie unused Will soon get
of trim, so that the operators
ID be heavy losers The tenor of the re-
Ks among the operators was that the
1e would soon end or river operations
ald be suspended for the rest of the year,
he river will soon be clear of coal and
q ow-boating would be stopped, and the
Se settle down to long sisge. Each
az finds the trade gradually slipping
v from the river to the railroads. This
been the result of the long strike, and
Id the strike last much longer the river
3 viii find their trade greatly confined.
re is some uneasiness among the river
-ators on this score, as the struggle be-
en- them has come to be one for the very
.teuce Of the river business
ne action of the sand diggers in sending
IS to clear the Jumps that obstructed
.igation, as soon as threatened with pros
ion bv the Coal Exchange, induced the /
rators to not push the cases, at least for
present These sand diggers have been !
l-v OF the same Offense before and we're ,
of with a light fine, and are afraid of !
r z arrested again.
he rain Of Yesterday is expected to bring | !
river up to a cnalbOat stage bv Friday, ,
IA the river will be cleared of all the !
ed coal though there is some fear that !
70 are not enough towboats to take ont :
"a coal, nearly all having gone down the 4
p last week.