The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-05-31
POCAHONTAS SITUATION.
MEN RETURNING TO WORK AT THE
ELK HORN MINES
Military RIGor Ut Pocahentas Relieved
More Troops Ordered Back Home.
Strikers Lack Org gsnizstiop,

POCAHONTAS, VA. May s0.--Special.-
The features OF interest to-day in the
strike situation were the continued de-
sertion of strikers from the ranks of
the union. and the increase OF forces at
the works on Eikhorn over yesterday.
and the large increase OF coal. most es-
pecially at the Southwest mines. here.
The military rigor has relaxed some
what. and West Virginia miners come and
20 as they please. There Is no excite
ment in Pocahontas. The streets are
remarkably free from idle people. The
military is being gradually Withdrawn.
The Nottoway Grays left to-day. and the
Portsmouth troops will be relieved to-
morrow. A few troops will be kept here
until all danger OF trouble is past.
STRIKERS LACK ORGANIZATION.
The strikers here lack oganization, and
a leader. The white men and a large
majority OF Hungarians are at work, and
the negroes are the only people who
seem TO have any special determination In
the matter. but II Is eveident that they
are painfully at loss to know what
course to pursue. Many OF them would
like to go TO work. and one who seems
In position to know made the state
ment that he thought matters would be
adjusted here in q day or two.
YESTERDAYS OUTPUT.
The output for to-day Is as follows
Southwest-96 coal, Is coke. Browning,
Il coal. Oh Elkhorn. 80 In all. making
total OF l56 cars. and an increase over
yesterday Of Ii cars.
LOYAL MEN TO BK PREFgRRrD.
The men who went 20 work and stood
by the operators through the strike viii
be given the preference as TO the best
positions I'm the mines
The peace and good order OF Pocahon-
tas has never been equallcd since the
strike set I'm. The business OF the
Mayors Court has decreased more than
half. Whether it is owing to the presence
OF troops Us hard 90 conjecture.
Lawless is evidently trying 10 defeat
the Norfolk and Western railroad I'm this
fight, "a he has declared his intention
of forcing II TO a sale, but his loss OF
temper and better speeches are sufficient
proof that he has practically failed in
his efforts 10 completely shut down the
mining operations here. and In that way
force the roads Go terms. Lawless be-
comes more bitter each day I'm his de-
Iunciation OF the railroad, and talks
pretty rough about the operators also.
The four Elkhorn operations are I'm a
good way TO MI their mines again with
out much trouble. \ majority OF Hous-
toms men went back TO work this morn
ing Upland will seucre sixty men from
the Rich Hill furnaces tomorrow. Sew
oral OF their old men went I'm this morn
ing. The white men generally are going
To work. Grocer got IN seven Union men.
This indicates that the strikers are weak
ening fast. Only one OF these operations
are guarded by marshals. and their force
was considerably decreased to-day. Pu-
laski is increasing right along.
MASY fxPEcTyD 10 RETURN TO-DAY.
II is understood that a grea, many OF
the old men will 90 I'm Saturday and
Monday. IL is the Intention OF Browning
and Southwest mines here 70 double their
forces, and in that way help to supply
the deficiency. caused by the idleness OF
the operations which are shut down
There seems to be no compromise on the
part Of these operators The miners must
accept the 20 per cent. reduction or re-
main idle so they say
Many OF the miners have left the fields
hoping that the difficulties would bee salts
factorily adjusted when they would re-
turn These men are not likely to come
back here TO 10 TO work for the reduc-
tion. and II looks very much like those
mines VIII remain idle for some time.
However. there is no doubt that the back
bone or the strike is broken.