The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-07-12
NEARLY EIGHT HUNDRED
nliners ,,srs Organized Near DlIIOnvAie
by Secretary Lewis.

by Secretary Lewis.
Saturday Was the regular pay day at
the Long Run and DillOnvaIe mines OF
the Wheeling & Lake Erie Coal Com
pany, and also the occasion of organs
zation with their eight or nine hundred
men. The interest throughout the
latter feature was keen and constant,
and on all sides the greatest confidence
Is expressed in the ultimate success of
the struggle. The fact that the for
eigners took the initiative from the
start and maintained their control
throughout, indicates a sudden deter
minatlon on their part, quite as surpris-
ing as It Is gratifying to the English
speaking men. Secreinry-Treasurer I.
L. Lewis. OF the United Mine Workers
came from Bridgeport on the $40 train
Saturday morning. accompanied by
Mine Inspector McGougher, and was
met at the depot by large and en-
thuslastic delegation of miners. The
party at once set out for the point OF
the proposed meeting, about two miles
and q half up the railroad toward
Long Run. From Dillonvale there were
probably three hundred and fifty men
present, while from Long Run the at
tendance was estimated at fully four
hundred.
The place OF meeting had been select
ed In advance, and was In cool ra-
vine q quarter OF mile from the rail-
road and upon the site ofan abandoned
sawmlll. With the Long Run delega-
ton had come brass band, and the
approach OF the Dlllonvale representa-
tiyes was the signal for selections OF
lively and inspiring order. Little time
was lost in getting down to business
and Secretary Lewis opened the meet
ihg with an address In which was out
lined the hopes Of the organization and
the best method for the miners to pur-
sue to gain their point, Special stress
was laid upon the necessity of remain
ing wholly law-abidlng, and an earnest
plea was offered that no violence be at
tempted toward the deputy United
States marshals already here, nor
against the property OF the company
either mlnlnu or railroad. The necessity
for absolute and permanent observance
Of the law was especially pointed out
and the speaker was not only offered
the most respectful and Interested at
tentloa, but frequently applauded with
vlgor
Interpreters explained the ideas as
advanced to those OF the foreigners who
could not really understand the speak
ers. The vote for organization carried
without a dissenting voice and the Sec
retary appointed Joint committee of
Ten, comprising two English-speaklng
miners, two Poles, two Slavs, one 30
hemian. one Hungarian, one Italian and
one negro to arrange the prellminaries
for a Anal organization under Official
lines and forms OF some later day, to be
decided upon by the committee In nri-
vnte session. The committee set Tues
day as the day for n meeting.
Superintendent ROhy when apprlsed
of Saturday afternoons step, was silent
several moments, then replied: 81 had
not expected this. The men OF Dillon
mine. almost without exception, had
led me to believe they were quite Will
ing TO 20 to work, but feared the pos
slble violence Of the Long Run miners.
When we secured them protection, /
supposed they would resume The
chance 80 suddenly Is ineNplalnablc. /
have nothing to say as to our inten-
tlong." ne continued In reply to queB-
tlon MS to whether the company consld-
cred the introduction OF outside men as
generally reported. "lTor the present,
however. we stlll hold both Dillon and
Long Run mines open TO any who care
10 70 TO work at the present rate OF
flfty-onc cents and guarantee their
protection. No coal Is being shipped
from our Yards now and what we have
on hand win be held TO await the re-
suit Of the possible prolongntlon OF the
struggle"
The mines both at Dlllonvale and
Long Ron arc deserted by all but the
day men, who have chnrgo Of the track
clearing. The mines have been cn'lng
badly the past few days aud these
forces have all they can do To keep out
the falling slate. The trouble n at
tritutcf to tho heat affecting The Peeu-
liar Limestone formation Of the top
rock.