The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-05-07
Special to The TINES.


critical now than at any time since tho
trouble began. A largo part Of the
Southwest Virginia improvement Cons
pany's men went out to-day. This h
the largest operation in the Flat Top
field and this with the Browning mine
here ara the only ones not suspended.
The output to-day was forty-two cars
OF coal and twelve of coke, about half
the usual product. Much Of this WAS
the work Of the night shift, and unless
the situation improves they will not do
so we'll tomorrow. The Browning
mines had fifteen men out of over one
hundred at work. The South west Com
pany Is determined to operate Its mines.
President Logan Bullitt who ia here
directing affairs, made long statement
to-day which was posted at the mines
and throughout the town, notifying the
men that all who refused to go to work
Tomorrow will be discharged. It is the
purpose of the company to replace any
who refuse. 1t Ia also claimed that to-
days strike was largely the result of in
timidation. The troops massed at Ora
ham, eight miles away, Saturday, were
brought here at o'clock this afternoon.
MIR. Bullttt says in his statement that
the troops are not here to coerce or to
intimidate any workmen but to prevent
trouble and not allow the minors of
west Virginia to interfere with the Cit
liens OF this State. This refers TO the
Elkhorn strikers who are Just across
the State line. The whole armed force
will ba asked,{ 81 necessary,to protect the
men who want to work. The seven
companies OF troops, including a battery
OF artillery, are CHARTERED in the public
buildings OF she town. While no dis
turbsnces have occurred the day has
been one OF excitement here. Crowds
have thronged the streets.
In the afternoon big crowd OF Elk
horn strikers came over. A band
paraded the streets, after which a big
meeting was held across the State line.
This was addressed by the usual api,a-
tors and some OF the local men who
went out to-day. The strikers claim
that 500 of the 500 miners have Joined
the union. while operators assert that
this Is not true and that the trouble
here is the result OF intimidation.
There Is no way to tell what will be-
the effect of MIR. Bullitt's statement
but the indications are not favorable to
the company. The strikers have gained
considerable advantage and the railroad
will be seriously embarrassed II tho
product here does not increase. The
rosd Is dependent almost entirely on the
Flat Top for it's coal and the supply "a
almost exhausted.
There have been few arrests on the
charge OF conspiracy to coerce and in.
timidate employees OF the Southwest
Company, and detectives ere keeping
sharp outlook. No serious disturb
ances have yet occurred, and there is no
probability OF trouble tonight. If the
men want to work to morrow there is
little reason to doubt that protec ton
will be needed. The following is the
statement which the Southwest
Company has had posted at the mines
and throughout the town:
10 the employees OF the South west
Virginia Improvement Company: Gem
tlemen: In view of the present condi-
tion OF affairs beg to submit the fol-
lowing statement Of facts for your i'm
partial and just consideration. First,
that you have no cause of complaint
against your com pany, as your wages
are fair and the same as have always
been paid in this field In spite Of great
reduction in the price of coal.
Second. You Gre being solicited to 90
On strike by outsiders; by men from,
and citizens Of, another State who are
acting not in your interests, but that of
their own. You should consult your
own interests, and let outsiders take
care of themselves. Yourselves and
families demand that you should do 80
ana not strike at the solici tai ton and for
benefit of others. Every man has
right to work for the support of HIM
sell and those dependent upon him and
no one has right to forbid him doing
80. Coercion and intimidation in
any form TO prevent a man from work
Ing is wrong and unlawful and is pun
ishable as misdemeanor.
Third. The State forces are no. here
for the purpose Of intimidating you, but
to preserve the peace and protect every
man who desires to work, and every
man who desires to work will be FULLY
and amply protected, and the entire
military rorce of the State will be asked
foe that purpose II necessary. The
militia is here for the further purpose
of preventing an invasion of this State
by citizens of another State. The gov.
ernor Of this Sts.e has declared his
purpose to maintain the peace, protect
life and property and the right OF every
man to work for living, and that he
will do 80 at all hazards.
As good law abiding citizAns you are
appealed to to uphold the law, order
and right. All employees are expected
to go to work tomorrow morning at the
usual time; and all who do not 20 to
work can consider themselves dis
charged. Those who do go to work will
be fully protected. The Southwest Vir-
ginia improvement Company does not
contemplate reduction in wages and
is ready and willing to give employ