The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-05-02
MINERS MEET AT KEYSTONE.
Fifteen Thousand Strikers Or
ganize.
a Dispatch Prom Blueheld Saws Not a
Mine Is IN Operation In the West
virginia Coal Fields-rhe Strikers
Perfect Measures to Coax or Force the
Pocahoutas miners to Join Them.

oLUhFIELD, w. Va, May THE
strike is on in the West Virginia coal
fields along tie line of the Norfolk and
Western Railroad. Not mine is in
operation. A meeting Of $4,000 miners
was held at Keystone to-day to organ
lee and perfect measures to induce or
force the Pocahontas, Va men to Join
the strike. delegation was appointed
for that purpose. No dissatisfaction
exists among these Virginia miners, as
they have not been out. The delepa-
ton is expected to arrive in Pocahon-
tas TO night. In the event of q refusal
to join the strike, force doubtless will
be attempted, and both sides arc de-
termined.
The citizens of Pocat ontas will aid
tho home miners, and thew have ample
arms and ammunition. The West Vir,
GINA miners are swarming into Viz
gtn1a on every train, and the situation
is alarming. No shipments of coal are
being made at Bluefield. The cut OF 20
per cent. in wages was never con-
templated by the Virginia com panies,
and there are only few union men
among their men. In the event OF
trouble at Pocahoptas, the Virginia
miners only number 900 against 1O, 600
In West Virginia. and resistance could
not long last.
Bloodshed will only be averted bv
caution and conciliation. The miners
understand that they have the support of
operators In all peacesble ways to adjust
their troubles The railroad at impor-
tans points Is being guarded and Super
infendent Maher, OF the Pocahonsas
division OF the Norfolk and Western.
and Captain McOlelland and General
Superintendent Hippey. Of Roanoke,
spent yesterday among the coal fields.
Business Is partially paralyzad and
many miners are leaving for their
homes. An outbreak may occur at nny
time. The strike is understood TO be
practically to adjust railroad rates on
shipments.
In an interview with Superintendent
Maher OF the Pocahontas and Clinch
Valley divisiens of the Norfolk and
western railroad, he says that the
strike, so far as 1t concerns the "a ilroad.
Is only question OF rates in which the
railroad has been perfectly fair to all
parties. The intimation that certain
| companies, the Browning Mines, the
| Southwest Virginia Improvement, Cro-
zier, Upland Houston and Empire com
panies were the especial favorites of
the railroad Is unjust, and that cars
were furnished them in preference TO
other companies is unjust Tho COM
pany will maintain Its line and await
she result Of the strike in 8 spirit of
impartiality.
10 his end bridges and important
points OF the railroad arc being cares
iully guarded and every pr.csution
used to preserve the com pany's property
with equal fairness to all parties COM
mensurate to output and business. and
that the position OF the railroad now Is
simply to preserve iva property. Gem
eral Superintendent Hippey, OF Roam
oke. is here and 1t is cer,ain that the
company Is doing all it can to avert
trou Bile in an impartial spirit III. Bride.
the president OF the United Miners, Of
Colu bus, Ohio, is among the miners OF
Elkhorn and says he has ccme to win.
The strike is expected to take on new
developments tomorrow.
Nicaraguan Affair Practically Settled.
LONDON, May LIN spite Of the
statement which al from, tha