New-York tribune., 1897-07-04
RELUCTANT TO STRIKE IN ILLINOIS.
MINERS MAY NOT OBEY THE ORDERS OF THEIR
NATIONAL LEADERS.

RELUCTANT TO STRIKE IN ILLINOIS.
MINERS MAY NOT OBEY THE ORDERS OF THEIR
NATIONAL LEADERS
ST. Louis, July 3.-St. Louis coal operators
most Of whom own mines in Illinois, are pre-
pairing for the threatened strike. and so are the
consumers of this city. Orders enough have been
received during the last FIVE or six days to put
In operation all the mines in Southern and Cen
trail Illinois. The st. Louis coal market was
never in more demoralized condition 1t draws
most Of its btuminous coal from the Central
and Southern Illinois districts. and despite the
announcement that the strike will go into effect
tomorrow, the operators do not think their
fields will be affected for two weeks. and per-
I haps three.
1t Is doubtful If the miners of the Belleville
QI) district will quit work in body. They
are poorly organized and there is a lack Of con-
| cert among them They working only about
halctime. and many Of them not making
enough to live on. They are bitterly dscon-
tented, and their faith in the strike is weak.
They fear that if they strike the stores will re-
fuse them credit. and they reason that small
wages and credit are better than no wages and
no credit.
mass-meeting has been called for Tuesday
at 10 O'Clock in the morning in Belleville to
| of the strike on fall business.
In Macon County. Mo, in which are situated
the large Bevier and Ardmore mines the miners
have made no expression Of grievances, and the
most trustworthy information obtainable from
there to-day is that they will not join the
strike.
AS far as be judged from present indi-
cations. ii does not appear probable that the
coal miners in Sangamon County, H., will join
the general strike that the mining companies
! will be affected in any way. The only places IN
that section where the miners are out are at
Norden and Audbon, where the men struck sew
eral weeks ago for more money. The trouble
Will probably be adjusted by the State Board
| Of Arbitration
Peoria, Ill., July 3-It is said by Of the
! operators that the miners in this locality have
decided to wait and see what others DO before
going out strike.
Pana. H.. July 3.-Secretary w. d. Ryan. Of
| the United Mine Workers Of Illinois, has IN
formed the Pana miners that general strike
of the Illinois miners has been demanded by
| the officers Of that organization. An interview
with the employees Of the four mines mere JUST
fes the statement that there will be no strike in
| Pana While they favorable 10 labor or
ganizations. they consider that this action Will
injure the cause Of the United Mine Workers.
RATCHFORD TALKS OF THE STRIKE.
A STATEMENT FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE
MINERS ORGANIzAT1ON.
Columbus Ohio July S.-Presdent Ratchford. Of
the United Mine Workers OF America, says or the
strike Of July 4:
The exact date Of the miners national suspen-
sion has been a matter Of speculation with the
newspapers Of the country for weeks past. We are
very thankful TO the press for the friendly men
| ton which this great movement has received from
every quarter. With the press and the public It Is
not question of should or should it not take place.
| but rather a question Of when shall the movement
for living wages be inaugurated.
''Independence Day chosen a day well be-
fitting our demand. 1t is the anniversary OF our
political independence Let 1t also mark the begin
ming of an era Of Industrial freedom and. as our
| Revolutionary fathers freed themselves from
| foreign rule let the miners Of the country free
themselves from the domination OF their oppressors
and wrest forever from their limbs the fetters and
shackles Of slavery Independence Day cannot be
celebrated by American slaves in more patriotic
| manner than to make proclamation to the world
that they shall longer submit to Industrial servi-
| tude.
"Our present suspension is not Of our choice; 1t IS
| forced upon us by continuous reductions In wages
until the point Is reached where living by our IN
dusry is no longer possible ,,o oo,,,.- -,
| are ready for il a last resort, and there Is no
doubt that It Will be the greatest movement lt 0i
| its kind this has ever seen Reports from
every mining section indicate the temper and deter
! mination OF the miners and show conclusively
| wages are established.
The convention neld IN PltlsDure to-ua! wiz pe
unanimous in their support. Those miners who
have been forced by poverty and the cruelty OF un-
scrupulous employers Of that district TO sign iron,
clad contracts will throw them up. as they should
do and join the suspension.
II am not fearful that the miners VIII in any case
violate law or order this will be a peaceful con-
test. Violence must not enter into 1t In any degree
Public opinion l. with us, kilograms and letters
from men in all walks Of life are pouring in In
dorsing our actions. The great body of the people
are on our side and 70 retain their sup
port by strict adherence TO law and order.
THE independence proclamation Of the United
Mine Workers Of America is that industrial despots
and dospotism must forever be suppressed With
| this inscribed upon banner and with 1900
| men imbued with a purely American spirit TO carry
! IL aloft success will crown our efforts"