The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-07-02
A MONSTER.
Independence Day Will See the
Beginning
Of the Biggest Coal Miners
Strike in America.
An Army of $4,000 Men Or
dered to Quit Work.
WAGES BEING PAID
The Lowest in the History of
the Industry.
The Men Are Receiving But 81
Cents.
FAMILIES STARVING
In One Mining District ar At
tempt Was Made
To Force the Wages Down to
81 Cents.
CIRCULAR is ISSUED
CIRCULAR is ISSUED
BY the Mine Workers Officers
Demanding That
The Coal Miners Participate in
''the Wave of Prosperity"

Columbus, O., July "A general strike
of miners of the United Mine Workers of
America has been ordered for July by
the national executive board, whose head
quarters is in this city and also by the
district presidents, as the result of~a
meeting held here June "a. 25 and &c.
The official document says:
'"To the Mine Workers of the Country.
Greeting.
Fellow Miners:-At the last annual
convention of the United Mine Workers
of America held in the city of Columbus.
O., January u, it was determined that the
scale of prices should be advanced to the
following rates:
Pennsylvania, Pittsburg district (pick
mining) SO cents per ton; Ohio 60 cents per
ton; Indiana Cbituminous) so cents per
ton; Illinois Grape CreelO So cents per
ton. Machine mining to be paid three
fifths per ton of the price for pick min
ing, except in Indiana (bituminOus) where
the price shall be four-ffths per ton of
the price for pick mining; other mining
sections, a corresponding increase in price
that will place them on a relative basis.
1T was further agreed that the time
lot enforcement OF the scale De l0IL WIFI
the national executive board and the dis
trict presidents to determine when it
would be most opportune to put this scale
into effect. The document then urged I'M
animity and fidelity among the members.
The signs of the times the paper says
as pointed out by the press and by the
testimony of men versed in public affairs,
that business is reviving and that an
upward tendency in the price of all COM
i-
ness revival and industrial improvement,
which is earnestly proclaimed, we ought
to share and if we do not attempt to
share, we shall be false to ourselves and
those dependent upon us
" Let the watch word be- says the cir
cular, Mine workers entitled to
fair days pay for a fair days work.
Local committees are directed to be
formed and to see that action is taken at
once. The field is large and it will be an
impossibility for the national and district
officers to attend to all points, conse-
quently local leaders are urged to assume
the responsibility and authority for the
successful consummation of our desires.
ITO insure success great care should be
exercised by all that breach of the
peace occurs at any time, place, or
under any circumstances.
Bulletins will be issued from time to
time to keep you informed of the progress
of affairs The national executive board
is composed of Fred Dilcher, r. L. Davis,
]. H. Kennedy, Harry Stephenson, James
NJ. Varson and Patrick Dolan.
The district presidents are w. E.
Farmer. w. G. Knight, James NJ. Carson
and Patrick Dolan.
M D. Ratchford is president of the
national executive board; John Kane vice
president and w. c. Pearce. secretary.
All these names are signed to the cir
cular"
Pittsburg, July 2.-The official circular
ordering a national strike of coal miners
in five states July was received at
the district headquarters from Columbus,
O., at 10 a. M and copies were at once
sent out to the different mines. Action
this circular will be taken at the dis
trict convention of miners in this city to-
morrow. There seems to be no doubt but
that the delegates will come instructed
to declare a strike.
Terre Haute, Ind, July 2.-The Express
says:
Next Sunday, prior to that day, cir
culars will be placed in the hands of all
the bituminous miners in the United
States calling them out on strike 1t is
estimated that 2GO. 900 men will be involved
Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana Illinois and
parts of West Virginia and Kentucky will
contribute to the movement. The strike
Is to enforce the Columbus scale of 50
cents per ton for Pennsylvania, 60 cents
for Ohio, so cents for Indiana and So cents
for Illinois. When the Columbus scale
was adopted it was not though advisa BILE
to attempt its enforcement. 4 committee
was then appointed TO take in hand the
matter of a strike and to order one as