Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-05-06
THE MINERS, STRIKE.

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striking miners at Pocahontas yester'
day was almost fzzle. The crowd
fell short of what was expected. There
were about 5000 persons present. Law.
less was the principal speaker, and he
made an appeal to The employees OF the
Southwest Virginia Company to join
the United Mine Workers. The mill,
tary and authorities were denounced.
Two or three colored speakers attack:
ed the commissery system in the coal
fields. The Southwest Company had
representatives st the meeting and they
claim that only few of their men
gave their names to the United Mine
Workers. The labor leaders claim
that they got about one-third of the
company's men, and that they will come
out TO- day or tomorrow. The meeting
was held on the West Virginia side.
One will be held in Pocahontas to-
night. Adjt. Gen. Holly, of West Vir-
GINA, is at Bluefield, at the instance OF
Gov. McCorkle, to ascertain what the
situation is. While the meeting yes
terday developed nothing the danger Is
not over, as the Southwest Company is
determined to keep its plant running,
and there is talk of the Houston,
Grocer, Upland, and Pulaski mines be-
ing started. 1t is certain that the
strikers will not be allowed to inter-
fere with the non-union men who wish
to work.
A dispatch from Pocahontas says ::
CATER the address made ct the meet
ing an invitation was extended to the
Pocahontas miners present to unite
with the Order of the United Mine
Workers, and the five hundred en-
ployes of the companies here who were
present did so almost to the man. 1t
is believed that it will be only a ques-
ton of few days now when all the
miners will join in the strike with their
fellow craft of West Virginia, which
will mean the complete tying up of the
field. The Hungarian element here
stands in the way of the men at this
place being called out, and should en-
deavors, which are now on foot, to or
ganize this class succeed, the closing of
the mines would be certainty. 1t is
reported that Sheriff Danger6eld, of
Mercer county, West Virginia, has re-
quested Governor McCorkle to send
the State troops into the field. The
effect of the strike is felt far and near
along the line of the Norfolk and West
ern and business generally is at stand
still. Throughout the Elkhorn the
Norfolk and Western has posted no
tees warning the strikers not to inter-
fere with property and stating that in
reference of that character will be con-
tempt of court. This warning is issued
by the receivers by authority of Judge
Jackson, who granted the injunction.
This is considered the first step toward
the use of federal troops, if necessary.
United States marshals were on some
of the freight trains to-day, and if they
should be unable to enforce the order
OF the court, United States troops will.
it is said, be asked for"
The Virginia militia are in camp at
Graham, about twelve miles from Po-
cahontas. The troops number about
four hundred and are in command of
Major Simmons. In addition to the
eight companies of troops already sent
to Pocahontas, the captains of nearly
all the uniformed companies in the
State have been instructed to have
their commands move speedily should
their service be needed.
Judge John Paul on Saturday. on the
application of the receivers of the Nor
folk and Western Railroad, instructed
the United States marshal TO take
proper precautions for the protection of
the company's property in case it was
imperiled by the strike.
In an interview in regard to the sit
uation Governor O'Ferrall yesterday
said: "Our own miners are all right.
They are going ahead with their work,
and it is my intention to see that they
are permitted to continue at their ad
vocation without molestation if they
wish to continue at their labors. Ideny
to no man or set of men the right to
quit work if they want to. But l do
contend that man who has job and
wants to work has an equal right to
continue, and no man has the right TO
prevent him.
The joint conference of miners and
operators at Columbus, o., ended Sat
urday night without fixing the price of
mining. There was only nine cents
difference between the miners and
operators. but each side refused to make
any further concessions. About "a
600 miners in Ohio suspended work
May to await the fixing of the price.
They will probably remain out until
lime