Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-05-07
NO DISTURBANCE YET
The Military Moved from Graham 10
POcah0ntaS.
SUNDAYS MEETING.
Most Of the Virginia Miners Quit
Work.
STATEMENT OF THE OPERATORS.
The situation Grows More Critical
Martial LAW Virtually In Force
Disposition Of the Troops 10 Guard
Against Surprisc-sccues and Incl
dents.
STATEMENT OF THE OPERATOR


POCAHONTAS. VA. May 6-(spe-
cial)-The swarms Of soldiers on the
streets Of Pocahontas this afternoon ana
the martial music Of the brass band OF
the strikers which paraded the streets
"a secure a crowd for meeting gave
the place the appearance Of mii'ary
garrison. rather than that OF mining
town. The seven companies or state
troops masscd at Graham Saturday were
transferred 20 the scene Of the latest
developments in the great coal strike nj
2 O'Clock this afternoon. An hour or so
before the long train pulled into the
station IL became known through the
town that the troops were coming, and
in a short time the platforms and the rail-
road were lined for some distance with
curious spectators clger 70 catch view
OF the martial array.
Sheriff Crockett, Adju;ant-General An
dcrsou. and a number of the prominent
citizens OF the town were at the depot
70 meet Major Smons. who. with his
san. was escorted TO Pocahontas Inn.
Guards were put out 10 patrol the space
about the cars. and not until the curious
crowd were in measure satisfied did
many Of the boys leave their cars. Then
they went out ia see the town.
SERIOUSLY CRIPPLED.
The Elkhorn strikers put IN a big days
work al this place yesterday. The OPP
orations here. the only ones in the field
not affected last week. are seriously
crippled to-day. Early this morning the
Southwest Company said that 50 per
cent Of their men were out by noon
Il was apparent that less than one third
were at work a. that time only six
cars had been loaded. Last week the
output was about eighty cars daily. In
the Browning mine only fifteen men. out
OF over one hundred, were working to-
DAY. The Southwest Company have their
day laborers at work feeding the coke
ovens. none Of which are yet affected
by the strike.
The big demonstration was the only
thing Of interest Ia the coal region yes
teIday. and "a very quiet Sunday passed
The acitatOrs spoke for several hours and
then invited the Pocahouics men 10 Join
the union. a ring WAS formed ana q
way parted through tie crowd. When
their side the Elkhorn strikers who
were 2Oo1 strong. set no a MIGHTY "liur-
rah for Pockyt Then the workers went
through the crowd. and every time a
convert was announced there was cheer
ing
The leaders claim TO have organized S5
men. but the Southwest people claim that
only fOrty-three real miners were IN th'
crowd For this reason they think thai
IT, 1T NJ
IN getting their men out. No matter II
what way 10 has been accomplished II Is
now plain that the Sun lay meeting do
the work which IL desired
The Huncarians were the element that
gave the agitators the most trouble. They
are all out today, and nearly all the
negroes also. The majority of the few
men at work to-day are white. The
near approach 10 the practical suspen-
sion Of the last OF the mines I'm the entire
field greatly complexities the situation.
The trouble Is much farther from settle
ment than II has ever been. and the
danger OF an outbreak is believed to be
much greater.
WILL WORK THEIR MINES
The Southwest Company are deter
mined 10 operate their mines, and have
posted the following at the mines through
out the town.
To the Employees Of the Southwest
Virginia Improvement Company:
Gentlemen.-in view of the present con
diion OF affairs. | beg to submit the fol-
loving statement Of facts for your i'm
partial and just consideration:
l. That you have no cause of com
plalnt against your company, as your
wages are fair and the same as have
always been paid in this field. in spite Of
q great reduction in The selling price of
coal.
You are being solicited to 20 on a
strike by outsiders; by men from ana
citizens Of another state. who are acting
not In your interests, but that Of their
own. You should consult your own inter
esis and let outsiders take care OF them
selves Duty 10 yourselves and families
demand that YOU should do so, and not
cease work at the solicitation OF ana Tor
the benefit OF others. Every man has a
right 10 work for the support OF hlmseii
and those dependent upon him, ana no
man has right To forbid ms DONG So
Coercion and intimidation in any form
{, prevent any man from working Is
wrong and unlawful. and Is punishable
a. q mlsdemeanOr.
The State forces are not here for
the purpose Of in'imidating YOU. but to
preserve the public peace and protect
every man who desires 20 work, ana
every man who desires 10 work VIII be
fully and amply protected. ana the enuie
military force Of the State VIII be asked
flr that purpose. The militia Is here for the
further purpose OF preventing any INVASION
~ this state by citizens OF another state.
Tho Governor OF this State has declared
his purpose 10 maintain the public peace,
reaol invasion, protect lie and property
ANA the right Of every man 10 work iof
a living. and that he will do at all
hazards As good and law-ab!ding clu-
IONS. Won are appealed 10 uphold the
law. order. ana right All employees are
expected 70 20 70 work tomorrow morn
iag at their usual time, and all VINO 90
not DO so may consider themselves uis,
charged Those who DO 90 10 work VIII
be- fully protected
The Southwest Virginia Improvement
Comrany does not contemplate reduc-
ton IN wages. and Is ready and willing
% give employment 30 all who desire
work
Hoping YOU will act consciously and
Justly In your own interest. ! am, yours
truly. LOGAN NJ. BuLliII'
President.
THE SITUATION CRITICAL.
No such threat as the above relative 10
discharglng men has been made any
where else In the District and the de-
cis!on OF the company undoubtedly makes
me situation more critical.
Several OF the strikers have been ar
rested charged with conspiracy 70 coerce
the employees Of the Southwest Com
pany. Three negroes were before the
Mayor this morning on this charge They
were ell discharged on their own state
rnents. no evidence being presented
against them. They were warned, how
ever. that the law on this subject wout;
be strictly enforced and every man found
guilty OF breaking II would be punished.
The Southwest Company people said that
they had sufficient evidence against TWO
Of the men 10 convict, but thought IL
better 20 give them warning.
ELEMENTS OF DANGER.
A large force OF officers and detectives
ave al work and are keeping SHARP
LOOKOUT for intimidation. While on the
surface everything Is quiet and orderly
there IL reason 20 believe that the danger
~ by no means over. 1t r. claimed that
Efforts at coercion and intimidation are
being made. and just little start OF
violence would result In serious trouble
IL looks now as IL the mining OF ecal
viii be absolutely suspended IN the en-
tire region by tomorrow night The
Ssuthwe.t Company Will probably en-