Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1897-09-28
A VICTORY CLAIMED.
President Ratohford Talks Il Sue
N h.. cess olSthe Strike. z ~
While 1t Is Ended in Pennsylvania,
and Ohio, There Is Still Trouble
in Other States-MOre Men
Return to Work.

Washington, Sept. 20. - NJ. D. Ratch-
ford, president of the United Mine
Workers of America, who is here to at
tend special meeting of the officers of
the Federation of Labor, gave the fol-
lowing authorized statement Tuesday:
To-day will see about $4,000 miners re-
sumo work in the bituminous coal fields of
the central states. The strike generally
ends Tuesday. This is the middle Of the
twelfth week OF Its Duration. twas
brought to g. close at our convention, held
at Columbus. O.. September to II, the ten
days time being given to allow miners and
operators to come togethern. in Illinois and
West Virginia to meet the prices fixed-65
cents ton In Pennsylvania, Sc cents in
Ohio and Indiana. the same to continue
till the end of December The mining situa-
ton Is not likely to become disturbed again
until the beginning Of next year, at which
time we hope to be able to settle wage diff
ferences amicablyE and without the neces-
sity Of strike. 1t is well understood that
the fight will continue from the present
time in all fields and against all operators
who refuse to meet the rates. The greatest
trouble will be found in West Virginia and
portion Of Illinois. I am still hopeful,
however. that the producers in those fields
will conform to the change and put their
mines in operation. Failing to do this, we
will fight them as we have done until the
beginning of next year, at which time it
Is said their present contracts will expire
Organized LabOr's Victory.
II am we'll satisfied with the agreement
reached. and feel that 1t is the greatest vic
course the victory Is not altogether one Of
the miners. While they have done the
striking, trades unions and ORGANIZED
bodies have supplied the necessaries, with
out which the miners could not possibly
succeed. It is victory for organized la
a ~ 1or fpo1
we want our friends who have helped us
to feel that it is their victory IS well as
ours. feel very grateful for the assistance
given us by the American Federation of
Labor and the kindly disposition shown US
at all times by Mr.. Gompers and members
of his executive committee"
MY advices from West Virginia are to
the effect that our miners are standing
firm. are well pleased with the agreement
reached, and evince a determination to
fight their battle to the end. Our purpose is
to bring the miners and operators Of that
state together in a joint convention, that
uniform mining price may be fixed and
paid for the same vein of coal and a fail
relative price for other veins within the
state. In short to fix mining rate that
will give to West Virginia fair competing
opportunities and nothing more.
THE, fixing Of mining rate that will
give fair competing opportunities Is the
object of the miners organization every
where. we nave been working to bring the
operators of the several states together
with this end in view. Though our efforts
have been futile, we will continue to ad-
vocate that policy. believing there is but
one sure way to keep down strikes and dis
putes. which are advantage to either
side. and that that is for the miners and
operators interested from the various
states to meet annually, mutually fix prices
for each district that are fair and just, and
each party to the agreement to observe It
faithfully until q subsequent agreement
takes its place. During the eight years
that this system was In vogue strikes and
| disturbances Of a general character were
unknown. and the causes which gave rise
to them can again be removed as soon as
the operators interested will see their In
terests In this light"
More Men Return to Work.
Hazleton, Pa, Sept. 22.--Peace has
been restored in the anthracite region
and nearly every colliery therein
worked Monday. Included in these
were the Lehigh and Wilkesbarre com.
pany's Audenried mines, employing
$500 men. The strike was practically
inaugurated by them and their return