Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-09-22
TIE MINERS GREAT VICTORY.
President Ratchford's View Of the
Strike Settlement.
Some Miners Still Out-The Fight
to Be Kept Up in West Virginia
and Illinois Until the Operators
Concede the Convention Scale.
A Hope That Differences Hereaf-
ter May Be Settled Without Re-
sort to Strikes.


M. D. Ratchford, president of the Uni
ted Mine Workers of America, who is
here to attend a special meeting of the
officers Of the Federation of Labor, gave
the following authorized statement to
the Associated Press to-day:
To-day will see about $4,000 miners
resume work in the bituminous coal
fields of the Central States. The strike
generally ends to-day. This is the mid
die of the twelfth week of its duration.
1t was brought to a close at our con-
vention held at Columbus, Ohio, on the
9Th to the 18th of the present month,
the ten days time being given to allow
miners and operatives to come together
in Illinois and West Virginia to meet
the prices fixed-65 cents a ton in
Pittsburg, Sc in Ohio and Indiana, the
same to continue till the end of Deem
Der. The mining situation is not like
ly to become disturbed again until the
we hope to be able to settle wage diff
gferences amicably and without the ne
cessity Of a strike. 1t is well under
stood 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
in, toio nd
Illinois. l am still hopeful, how
ever, that the producers in those fields
Twill 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
Dtracts will expire.
II am we'll satisfied with the agree
lent reached, and feel that it is the
Ceatest victory gained by trades
ons for years past. Of course, the
Dry is not altogether one of miners.
e they have done the striking,
unions and organized bodies
itch the miners could not possibly
succeed. 1t is victory for organized
labor, and not for any particular trade,
and we want our friends who have
helped us to feel that it is their victory
as we'll as ours. l 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 the mem
bers of his executive committee"
Mr. Ratchford was asked as to the
situation in West Virginia and Hi
nois, and he said: "My advices from
West Virginia are to the effect that
our miners are standing firm; are we'll
\ pleased with the agreement reached,
tand evince determination to fight
their battle to the end. Our purpose is
tQ bring the miners and operators of
that State together in a joint Gonven-
ton that uniform mining price may
be fixed and paid for the same vein of
coal and fair relative price for other
veins within the State. In short, fix a
mining rate that will give to West
Virginia fair competing opportunities
and nothing more.
"As to Illinois, convention of Illi
nois miners is being held now. | have
not had any advices from there. but can
safely predict what their action will
De. They will continue the struggle
until relative prices are established
The greatest difficulty in the wav Of
advance in the Illinois district is the
fact that contracts were taken last
spring based upon mining rate. as
they were in Pittsburg and elsewhere.
But this is matter that we cannot
De responsible for; it is a matter of
business to the operator himself No
man has right to sell another mans
labor one year in advance without con-
sulting the laborer. While we have al
ways deferred to the claims of men
along those lines, the time has come
when no further consideration can be
given them, because the wages paid
to the miner are below the living point.
and the preservation of life takes pre-
cedence over business affairs.
''The fixing of mining rate that will
i've fair competing opportunities is
\e object Of the miners organization
erywhere. We have been working to
e the operators of the several States
ther with this end in view. Though
efforts have been futile, we will
tinue to advocate that policy, be-
wing that there is but one sure way
keep down strikes and disputes,
Which are of no advantage to either
side, and 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 agree
8ment to observe it faithfully until
subsequent agreement takes its place.
During the eight years that this system
was in vogue strikes and disturbances
: of general character were unknown.