The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-01-30
PITTSBURGH RIVERMEN
Hold a Meeting and Demand a
Settlement Of
THE RIVER MINERS LONG STRIKE,
A Difference of Opinion as to Where
the Blanc %Lies-High Water com-
ing Soon and There isNo Coal Ready
Tor shipment-The Riycrmon Hurt
by the Strike.

PITTsRuRGH, Pa, Jan, 20,-The Pitts.
bprgh rlvermen have taken a hand in
the miners strike and what will be the
outcome no one knows, They are
thoroughly aroused over the long con-
tlnued strike, They have had nothing
to do for weeks and the prospects for
work along the river being resumed
soon arc not bright Men who have
been on the river all their lives ac'
knowledge that this has been one Of the
worst river years in their many exper-
fences, They have no work and many
are almost in q destitute condition,
There has been much dissatisfaction
among them for some time, but the
,boatmen have refused to do anything to
show their uneaslness,
This feeling took definite shape yester-
day, however, when a well attended In.
dignation meeting was held In tho hall
Of the Brotherhood OF Steamboatmen,
at Water and Market streets. The puF.-
pose was to show their feeling toward
the miners strike, and, il possible,
recommend some means OF etIeotlng q
settlement. The meeting was called TO
order by Duff Sweeney. William Nc
Ginnis was made chairman, while
Charles Boles was secretary.
OPPOSED TO THE MINERS.
A number OF spirited speeches were
made by some Of the old river men.
They urged that it was an unjust dis
elimination by the miners in asking
the river operators to pay a difference
of one.half cent q bushel for mining
coal. The sentiment was unanimous
against the miners, because they per-
sisted SO earnestly in striking. Bush
ness on the river was said to be on u
standstill. Practically, no coal was be-
ing mined. The river would soon be
open, and the idea Of remaining idle
with q good boating stage OF water
could not be entertained.
While these speakers were devoting
their attention principally to denounc-
ing the miners and praising the opera
tors for their firm stand for their rights
in opposing unjust demands, 1t was
found that all did not exactly coincide
with their views. One speaker arose
and said that while he did not think
the operators were being given n fair
show they were not entirely blameless
for the present condition OF traffic along
the river. They should be held respons-
ible for the continuance OF the strike
for the way it had been conducted.
OPERATORS CRITICISM.
The blame was laid at the doors Of
those operators, who handled both river
and railroad coal and supplied the
trade. It was charged that the railroad
part Of the mine was run while the river
was shut of. This arrangement en-
abled the miners to change off, and ono
each could earn enough to live. The
local retail river trade was supplied with
coal mined in the fourth pool at the 81
cent rate. This arrangement simply
played into the hands of the miners, as
they could never BIO forced to the wall
while such u condition ruled. Tho
operators were scored thus, and 1t was
urged that they be induced to stop work
in all the mines and close off tho coal
supply entirely.
Resolutions were adopted protesting
against "this hopeless aud senseless
STRIKE" and urging the miners to re-
turn. They went on to state that they
were in the wrong and unjustly dis
criminated against the river operators.
They wanted the strike settled because
1t would thus enable them to live and
support their families. Their means
were scanty and their associations sui
fering from tho effects Of tho strike.
They went on to say that they were OPP
posed to strikes in general and this
strike in particular, because 1t directly
concerned their interests,
A copy OF these resolutions will be
laid before the coal exchange, and that
body asked to- declare all work in the
mines along the Monongahcla stopped.
A copy will also be sent to Local Assem-.
bly, No. 1856, Knights Of Labor, as Its
members are considered as being in the
heart OF the river coal district. The
steamboat mon were emphatic in their
demands and showed that they were
badly in need OF work and that II the
present strike continued so much pres.
sure would be brought to bear that one
side would be forced to give in.