Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-05-26
AMONG THE MINERS.
Pen Sketch Of Scenes and Incidents In
the Flat-TOp Regions.
THE PoCAHoNTAs TROUBLES
The Questions ut Issue Between the
Companies and Their Operatives
Cost of Sending Troops-Situation
Mt Present.
mt Present.


POCAHONrAS. VA, May S.-(Speclal)
The turbulence among the miners in the
F'lat-Top. coal region has disturbed the
restful quiet which usually characterized
the people OF that section. A state Of
trepldatIon and uncertainty is not con-
ditlon specially relished by the Virginia
operatives. and when II Is remembered
that but for the attitude OF their fellow
laborers Just across the border-line In
West Virginia they would still have been
peacefully pursuing their natural yoca-
tions. it appears that they are indeed to
be sympathized with.
The Virginia operators did not cut the
wages OF their men. They had agreed at
conference held in Philadelphia some
time beforehand that they would pay the
increased freight-rates asked by the Nor
folk and Western railway without re-
ducing wages. And so had the West Nir-
ginia operators, but nearly all the latter
changed their minds quite soon after
ward, and instead Of cutting the pay OF
the workingnen 10 per cent, as had
been the increase in freight. they cut It
- per cent, II IS alleged, with the purpose
Of forcing the railroad company TO come
TO their terms, or be able TO effect com
promise with the operatives which would
make the transaction rebound 10 the adj
vantage OF the companies any way.
LIFE AMONG THE MINERS.
The details Of the strike constitute
many-times-told tale, but there are stu
some features OF II which are worth re-
lating The miners Of Virginia and West
Virginia, a rule, are a happy-go-lucky
set Of fellows. They are largely negroes.
with native whites next in numbers; Hun
garians next. Poles next, Italians, and
so on. IN fact, these operatives have
come from almost all points OF the globe
and they have settled quite thickly those
border counties that they might earn
living within the great coal-felds OF these
two States Their shacks, which are
plain, twO-story, frame structures, or TWO
rooms above and two below, dot nearly
all the hilisides, byways, and streams OF
that section. In each of these "shacks
two families live. IN some Instances cook
ing, eating. and sleeping all in the same
room. For these tenements, which are
always owned by the companies. the
operators receive. as a rule, s. per family.
The shacks Of the negroes are generally
remote from those of the white opera
tives, but there is but little social differ
ence between the races. The cOlored
people have their own churches. but are
thrown into contact with the whites
| nearly all the time. However, the races
have gotten along quite harmoniously to-
gether. and when matters involving their
interests have arisen they have acted IN
concert
l. ,ha the
panies have charged the miners eXorbi-
fant prices for supplies from their com
missaries, and that the fact that the
miners were not paid off. as a rule,
more than once a month, made IL neces-
sary for them 70 do their trading at these
Commissaries. The operators say that II
: Is not a fact that the operatives are COM
PEELED TO DO their purchasing Of the COM
Tanies' stores. and claim that they are
free TO buy their supplies from whomso-
ever they choose on the other hand,
when the miners have not the money
with which to buy, as is frequently the
case, they do have TO procure their pro-
visions and clothing from these COM
missaries. IT is alleged. however, that
thes, high prices are charged on the
Wn4t Virginia side. and that our miners
have no complaint on this score.
THEY WERE SATISFIED.
Notwithstanding these facts, all the
! operatives were apparently satisfied,
/ though there was much delay because Of
the inability 10 get sufficient cars to
keep them steadily at work. They had
no regular hours Ia devote 20 their en-
ployment. and frequently many Of them
would not put IN more than half days
work. The more thrifty could make $3.50
I 90 $50. and skilled men made even $3.50
I 20 500 a day, and this afforded them d
comfortable lvins. They were warmly
clad, their clothing being good quality
iu nearly all cases
The strike along the line Of the Chesa-
peake and Ohio Railway Company last
year had driven many additional opera
! tiyes to the Flat Top region, but this
/ had not materially affected the incomes
OF the miners who were willing 10 work
and be prudent in their manner OF
living. Their shacks were blessed with
/ peace and comfort and children.
AN OPERATORS STRIKE.
II was while this condition OF affairs
/ prevailed that the present cut took place
in the West Virginia mines. All the union
operatives We're ordered 10 quit work.
and eventually nearly all Of them did,
even those ia the Virginia mines, where
there was not the slightest grievance.
laying down their picks and walking out
| Of the mines. The operatives on this side
claim that they were afraid 10 continue
10 labor in their vocation with thousands
Of men right across the border line DEFY
ing them. Threats We're made against
! some OF them, and they held life dearer
| than employment and retired. IL is said
that In West Virginia the strikers appear
happy and secure. and intimate strongly
| that they have the cOua-anies sustaining
them in order TO get their aid in forcing
! the railroad company to the terms OF
the operatives. There IS every evidence
10 show that the striking miners IN most
or the West Virginia mines have the
sympathy Of their employers. and are
being helped by them. The leaders are
not discreet enough 10 keep their secrets
hidden, and they too It Is strongly init
mated are assisting In the work Of maxi
ing the strikers the cats-paws Of the
operators in their stand against the rail-
road.
WHAT WILL BE THE RESULT.
Just what is 10 be the outcome OF the
great strike cannot now be foretold Ger
tam II Is that miners and EMPLOYEES OF
all kinds are being transported from
different parts Of the globe 10 the coal
ing regions, and many Of them are going
/ 10 Work-they are taking the places of
those who went out because their union
ordered them TO do so, and they are Coa
Nirginia's side being fully protected in
their right 10 work. IL, therefore ap-
pears but reasonable 10 suppose that
When the trouble is all settled a great
many OF the strikers Will be out OF money,
out OF employment. and beyond shelter.
The strike. OF course, has been ex-
pensiye. 1t has cost the companies, the
miners the railroad company, and the
state OF Virginia large sums OF money.
But, Notwithstanding this. as Governor
OFerrall says. II by the sending OF
troops to Pocahontas the life OF one
good honest citizen OF this Common
wealth has been saved (and there seems
TO be little doubt that there would have
been bloodshed had the soldiers not been
placed at Pocahontas) the amount OF the
cost would appear as a bagatelle. 10 say
nothing OF the loss which might have oc-
Cured TO property.
The Virginia miners were anxious 10
work; their wages had not been cut down.
and have not, as yet, and they had no
grievances against the companies. and
many OF them declare that they would
have remained az their employment but
Tor the fear OF riot and blOodshed. They
apprehended trouble from the thousands
or idle strikers In West Virginia, and. not
knowing the extent OF the protection
the military would afford them. they went
Ia. -.