Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-12-20
ALL WANT A CHANGE.
Strikers in the River Mines Very
Anxious to Get Back to Work.
THE OPERATORS LOSING MONEY.
A Few of the Mills Closing Down to Make
the Annual Repairs
CURRENT EVENTS IN LAB0R CIRCLES

The committee of the Coal Exchange
having the conduct of the miners strike in
hand held special meeting yesterday
morning to consider the condition OF the
strike. 1t was the beginning of the fifteenth
week of the present struggle. Practically
all the loaded coal in the river has been
sent to the lower markets; the towboats on
their way up the river with empties, and it
is considered time for some change in the
condition of the strike that would indicate
which side was in the lead.
Reports favorable to the operators from
the mines were made, and a much larger
force Of men was stated to be at work than
a week ago, though many Of those who had
gone in we're said to have come out again.
1t was stated that the miners were grad
ually giving away and that break might
occur at any time. Some of the miners In
the fourth poolwere reported to be loading
great deal of coal and expected to be run
ming full before the end of the week.
Think the Miners Are Weakening.
The threatened cut of one-half cent a
bushel BY railroad coal operators on the
price of mining coal is taken by the river
operators as a threat SO .as to keep the
miners from returning at the reduced rate
As an indication that the miners are
thought to be gradually losing ground, and
to stiffen them up, the railroads have circa-
lated this report so as to induce the miners
to continue the fight. An operator in CIV
ing this information yesterday, stated that
he saw clearly through the plan and took 1t
ms an Indication that the strike would soon
be ended
The rivermen are pleased at the turn
things have taken and some positively state
that the strike is already won. They laugh
at the idea of the railroad operators precipi-
tating a strike in demanding reduction, as
the trade has to be supplied and they have
only secured the lions share OF the coal
market by being in position to handle coal
at all seasons of the year. The rivermen
are in different position and have to de-
pend on the tickle water to help them out.
The opinion on Water street yesterday was
that the last moves il the strike were being
made and that in short time everything
would be settled. There is no apparent
weakening among the operators and each
one says he will keep up the struggle to
the end.
A Convention of Coal Miners.
Another thing that will likely have its
effect on the strike is q convention OF all
the delegates of the miners to be held at
Monongahela City on December 81 This
convention has been called by the Execu-
tive Board of the United Mine Workers to
consider the advisability of continuing the
strike for the 315-cent rate. Each mine
will be represented, and the delegates will
come instructed how to vote There has
been some dissatisfaction among the
miners, and at the convention it is likely
this will fully come out. Many OF them
are reported to be anxious to return, but
want to be released SO as to be able to re-
turn.
A committee of miners came to this city
yesterday to confer with President Costello,
but were unable to find him. They spoke
discouragingly of the outlook and said that
without outside assistance the miners would
not be able to continue the strike much
longer. The men in the mines are not very
we'll organized. and are at a disadvantage
for this reason. The first of next month
will likely see all the mines in full opera
tion. The Coal Exchange will hold meet
ing this morning