The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-19
IS THE BIG STRIKE TO END?
coal OPERATORS ASK FOR a CON-
FERENCE WITH MINERS.

Thsy Again Decide 70 Open the Wines by
Force. ir Necessary. and Appoint n Come
mittce to Wake n BeEipninE-Hope or Finni
settlement Injunction Made Permanent.
P1TTsBuRG, Aug. 1s.-A largo number Of the
coal operators Of this district met tonight and
rcaflrmod the action agreed upon in Cleveland
yesterday. Tho vote, as given out by John
Dysart of the Press Committee, was unanimous.
This action makes 1t look as II the operators
intended to start their mines at all
hazards, even to the extent Of importing now
men and employing Pinkertons, but a telegram
sent by several operators to Ratchford at Co
lumbus shows that some mino owners arc not
roRdy to go the whole length implied by the
action of the Cleveland and to-night's conven-
tion.
Tho telegram was sent by w. p. Rend, f. l.
Robbins & Co., and other operators. and con-
tanned n request for a conference to DO held by
the operators and the miners. Ratchford is said
to DO opposed to a conference, but Patrick Dolan
is said by tho operators to be in favor of ono.
and he went to Columbus tonight. 1t is be-
licved he may be able TO persuade Ratchford to
consent.
Tho request for n conference was dictated by
the wish OF some operators disguised with the
"Pinkerton " talk that went out from Cleveland
last night. They believe they would have an
uphill light against public sentiment were they
to start their mines with imported men without
giving tho United Mine Workers an opportunity
to discuss the situation with them.
"0f course" said Col. w. p. Rend. 1--WE who
have asked for a conference do not represent the
official sense of tho operators meeting held to.
night. 1t il n movement of our own. The meet
ing has decided that the mines must be started,
but some of us believe that n conference may re-
suit in making unnecessary the execution OF tho
resolution adopted here to. night and last night
"Wiill you start your own mines with i'm
ported men T. was asked of the Colonel:
may help somebody else's mines to run"
Three years ago the Colonel and other opera.
operators then formed an association and con.
tribntcd money to a common fund, which was
used to, start certain selected mines. Starting
mines during a strike. hiring deputies and pay.
ing the railroad fare OF imported men was ex.
pensiye, and it was thought that all ought to
to beput on one company. This method may
be adopted again. and for that reason the Chair
man OF to.night's meeting, Peter NJ. Hitchcock.
was instructed to appointa committee TO select
the mines to be started and to arrange for the
collection of the necessary funds.
The men who teleRraphed to Ratchford and
Dolan believe that II conference with the miners
may effect a settlement OF the strike. Thomas
r. Young, Senator Hanna's representative, did
in the city; Arbitration COMMISSIONER Lit.
ever the operators may do With reference
TO the strike, it will not interfere with
sccreiary j. b. johnston Of the Tniformity
Committee said tonight that the signatures Of
mine owners, producing IS per cent. OF the ton
mage OF the district had already been signed TO
the uniformity agreement. James Jones, a
large river and coal operator, has promised to
sign the agreement. He has three mines and
employs 200 men.
Judges Stowe and Collier handed down their
decision to-day IN the injunction proceedings
Coal Company VS.. the United Mine Workers.
Many miners were in the audience. but the
court Il decision WAS rUIpl ypi in silence
The injunction was made permanent. without
modification. Briefly. 1t ~cnioins the defendants
from. assembling, marching or encamping in
proximity of the mines aud the houses OF the
miners of the plaintiff company for the
purpose. BY intimidation, menaccs. threats
and opprobrious words. OF preventing the
miners OF. the company from working
in the mines. 1t further restraints and
%enJoins each one Of them from inducing or
plaintiff, now employed or who may hereafter
be employed. TO quit their, work or to leave the
P pf mt $ service by any threats, menace. show
": J. fireman.. attorney for the strikers.
when asked about the order. said:
The court distinctly stated on Monday that
it does not restrain men from marching and en-.
camping if they do no; violate the Law. II the
Sheriff puts a different construction upon it and
tries to break up the camps he will be prose-
Cuted for malfeasance."
Patrick Dolnn said:
We violate the law he will have to arrest us.
" will not do anything which we believe 5 a
violation Of the law. II wc do. then the sheriff
has a right TO arrest us ana the court has n right
to !mprison us. They must do their duty. We
don intend ogive up an inch OF what we have
gained
do you mean that the miners will march to-
March Why. of course they will march.
And If they disobcy the law then the Sheriff
will have to arrest them. The Sheriff has his
DUTY TO perform as an officer, Of the court. II
we are arrested we will 90 and submit to what
ever punishment is dealt out TO us. II we break
the law We should be punished