Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-11-05
WAITING FOR WATER.
Several Million Bushels of Coal
Ready for Shipment South.
SOME MINERS RETURN TO WORK.
Builders Exchange discussing the Eight
Hour Movement.
DISCUSSING THE FINISHERS UNION

The river coal operators attended a meet
ing of the Coal Exchange yesterday almost
in body. The near approach of the sea-
son when active work will be begun in the
coal trade has excited much interest along
the river, and with water it is probable that
large amount of coal would be foated to
the Southern markets. 1t is estimated that
there are between 5000, 900 and 5000, 900
bushels of coal ready to be sent out on the
first rise.
A larger amount of business was trans
acted at yesterdays meeting than at any
meeting held for some time. Secretary
lilly was instructed to open a correspond
ence with Secretary Elkins, of the War
Department, urging that the steamer
Golden City, which was sunk in the river
channel eight miles below Memphis, near
the head of Presidents Island, about ten
years ago, be cleared away as 1t is a great
hindrance to navigation, and causes the
boats with tows of coal much trouble in
making the down trip.
A Hard Rock to Split On.
Another obstruction wanted to be re-
moved is the Nonconnah rock, near the
mouth of the Connah creek and in the chute
of Presidents Island. This rock, covers
quarter of an acre, and takes one day for
towboat to get around it. The War De-
partment will also be asked to remove a
pile of logs in the chute of Island No. 40,
about II miles above Memphis The Coal
Exchange has taken these moves, because
its boats are chiefly concerned in navigating
this part of the river in taking coal to the
Southern markets.
The coal strike in the Monongahela Valley
was taken up and reports from the mines
heard. Prospects for an early resumption
are bri ghter than at any time since the
strike began. Many of the mines in the
upper pools were reported to be in partial
operation at the reduced rates. None of
the mines are working many men, but
enough have returned to indicate a willing
ness on the part of the miners to return to
work in short time.
One operator after the meeting in COM
menting on the outlook said: ~ consider
that before the end of next week, the strike
will have been broken and all the mines
will be in operation at the reduced rates.
Will Go Back After Election.
'We have enough information to warrant
us in saying that after the election the men
Will Immediately return to work. L am
saying this because the men who have been
among the miners know that they are
simply staying out until after next Tuesday,
and expect to return when that day is over.
1t will make no difference which party
wins. There are about s, 200 mirors affected
by the present strike. This will give some
idea of the magnitude of the coal interests
along the river. Why, 1 know of men
who are now walking three miles to work
in mines operated by the railroad operators
at the same rate we ask. The reduced rates
simply put us on par with the railroads,
and we can treat with customers on the
same basis"
The rains of the past few days have
caused the river to rise, and many of the
boats were getting ready to leave on the
shortest possible notice. A number of
crews went down the river Yesterday to
bring in their boats that have been stranded
below Davis Island Dam. The officers of
the Wheeling Packet line said yesterday
they expected to have their boats running
next week, as the present stage of water was
high enough to allow their boats to be run.