The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-28
WAR BEGUN BY ANGRY WOMEN
TWO CARLOADS OF FOREIGNERS
STONED AND CLUBBED AWAY.
President RatchfOrd's Reply to the
Statement of OperatOrs-March-
ing Resumed by strikers.

PITTSBURG, Aug. 27.--Coal operators of
the Pittsburg district have not been asleep
during the past few days. The impression
in certain circles that there would be no at
tempt made to start the mines seems 10
have been established for purpose, and
that purpose was to divert the attention or
the miners officials. 1t has been definitely
decided to start several mines along the
Wheeling division of the Baltimore & Ohio
Railroad The preliminaries were all COM
pleted tonight and decisive move can be
expected at most any time. 1t was given
out that the Cleveland operators had gone
to their homes for the ostensible purpose OF
awaiting the result of the st. Louis con-
vention. Some of them went but others did
not. Those remaining behind were MEM
bers of the newly appointed committee
whose duty it is to perfect the arrange
ments for starting some of the mines and
in the end break the strike.
One of the first moves was to get in touch
with the railroad companies. The officials
of the railroads at once agreed to CO.
operate with the operators in bringing
about if possible an era of activity in the
coal-producing industry of the Pittsburg
district. 1t was made very apparent that
the railroads were losing large amount
of business and that they were fellow
sufferers with the coal operators. The
question Of expense of getting imported la
Dor into the district was discussed and the
railroad companies agreed to share their
portion of the outlay. After this agree
ment was made the work of hiring imported
labor was taken in charge by special sub
committee. Just when they will be brought
into the district could not be learned.
One of the principal reasons for selecting
IA. .1n4 4I. o ~ TO
fact that men can be brought in and un-
loaded in close proximity to the pit mouths.
They can also be brought into the district
from the south by way of Wheeling, and
would not have to be transported through
very much of the Pittsburg district. An
other reason advanced Is the fact that the
mines along this road have been supplying
coal for the locomotives of the railroads,
and if coal is not furnished United States
mail trains could not be run and The wheels
of the national government would be in
terfered with. Protection would be forth
coming with no cost imposed on the opera
tors as the government would be bound to
protect and maintain its property at its
own expense. These plans have all been
completed and the work is well under way.
President Patrick Dolan shook his head
when the question of the starting of mines
by the operators was broached. II don't
believe they will make such an attempt"
he said. 'I am Of the opinion that they
will wait until after the convention at st.
Louis. Just now it would be a big under
taking to start mines in this district with
imported men. Yet, they may be sincere in
their intentions"
District Secretary Warner does not an
tcipate that a general strike will be de-
clared at st. Louis. He says 1t is not
needed, as the miners officials are satisfied
with the progress which the strike Is maxi
ing.
Henry F1oersheim is trying to get his
miners to agree to go to work at the g.
cent rate and says they would do so, but
that they fear personal violence. To these
he has made the proposition that he will
care for their families in case they are
killed Other operators who are willing to
pay 50 cents do not think Mr.. Floersheim
can get his men to work and not go
strike is over
Barring and McSweeney's, detective
agency, on Fourth Avenue has been hir-
ing men for the last day or two to go ana
guard miners and is said to have secured
over one hundred. 1t was reported that
they were to be sent 10 mines on the Pam
ance Of the agreement made In Cleveland.
This was denied by the superintendent OF
the agency, who said they were for mine
in central Pennsylvania, though he would
not disclose where it is.
James Jones & Sons posted notices at
their Catsburg and Ivil mines this morn
ing to the effect that the mines would be
started up at the 69-cent rate whenever the
miners are affected and a meeting Will
likely be held TO consider the proposition.