Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-07-11
C0AL-MINE STRIKE.
FORCES ENGAGED AS DETERMINED
AS EVER.
EFFECT ON The PRICE OF COAL
An Increase of so Cents a Ton mt
Pittsburg-Operntors Seeking to
buy In West virginia-No ViO-
Icnce.
Ience.

| PITTSBURG, PA, July 10--The week
closes with the forces engaged In the
miners strike as determined as ever.
and on the alert to secure the slight
est advantage. No openly aggressive
work was done to-day by either side.
but the miners officials held a secret
meeting, as a result OF which 1t is be-
lieved vigorous campaign against the
various non-strikers miners will be in
augurated.
The operators are apparently doing no
thing. and saying less. However, their
confidence in defeating the miners has
not abated In the least.
The expected trouble in the Wheeling
Division OF the Baltimore and Ohio did
not come 10 the surface to-day. The
miners were paid off as announced, but
no trouble whatever followed.
The effect of the strike is being mani
tested in the price Of coal. An increase
OF 80 cents ton was shown to-day when
application was made for contracts. and
a number of Pittsburg operators. not be-
ing able to work their own mines, are
seeking to buy coal in the West Virginia
field IN order TO reap the advantage.
There has been no open violence In
this district as yet, but 500 deputies have
been sworn in, and are in readiness for
the field at a moments notice. At this
time such precaution seems like over
zealousness. The miners say there viii
be no overt acts committed during the
war. and that all proceedings will be
strictly within the law.
President Ratchford left the city quiet
~ tonight. but will return in time to
accompany the men in their demonstra-
ton against the New York and Cleve-
land Company's miners. Before leaving
Mr.. Ratchford prepared a statement for
the press. giving a history Of the strike
as viewed from the miners standpoint.
INCREASE OF WAGES.
TERRE HAUTE, IND. July 10.-The
Pawnee. Kelley. and Westville compa-
MES Of the Danville District. to-day
posted notices Of an increase of 10 cents
ton I'm the wages for mining coal. The
object OF this is to keep their men at
work. and thus break the backbone OF
the strike. These three companies are tho
largest in the Illinois territory, and upon
the success of their move depends much
of the success Of the strike. Secretary
Kennedy has received advices which In
sure him that the men generally Will 90
out. President knight says he believes
that there will not be a mine in the
Hymera region working by this time
next week.
ATTEMPT AT ARBITRATION
COLUMBUS, o., July 10-There will be
n conference in Pittsburg Monday OF the
arbitration boards of Ohio, Indiana, and
Illinois, TO discuss measures TO bring
about n settlement of the miners strike
by arbitration. Governor Bushnell, of
Ohio, is the leader of the movement.
Governor Hastings, Of Pennsylvania, was
asked TO cooperate. and he wired that
he was willing, but that he had not been
invited TO do so by the representatives Of
the strikers Governor Bushnell replied
that peither he nor the other Governors
had been invited to net in the matter,
but that they intended TO do what they
could to bring about arbitration.
WEST VIRGINIA PROSPECT.
PITTSBURG, PA, July 10.-President
Ratchford left for his home, at Massillon,
this evening. In a statement issued be-
fore his departure. he said in relation to
the prospect of bringing out the miners of
the West Virginia district, where coal is
being supplied, that they would first ex-
haust all honorable means they as miners
have at hand, and which have been so
graciously offered to them by the repre-
sentatives Of other trades unions. 81
expect" said he, ''to go into the West
Virginia field within the next few days,
and, with the organizers we have been
promised, 1 have every reason to believe
we will be successful"
NO COAL FAMINE FOR CHICAGO.
CHICAGO, July 10-Late this afternoon
several large coal dealers called upon
Mayor Harrison, and informed him that
they were prepared TO furnish sufficient
coal to keep the city running for three
months at least This disposes of the
famine fear. as far as this city is con-
cerned.