The record-union., 1897-08-20
A Collision Likely at Any Moment
to Take Place.
Deputies Compel the Strikers to Cease
Their Marching.
Coal Operators Hold a Meeting
and Organize for the Special
Purpose of Breaking the Strike
The Situation in West Vir-
ginia Not Favorable to Strikers.

ginia Not Favorable to Strikers.
PITTSBURG, Aug. 19.-The striking
campers at Plum Creek and Turtle
Creek marched again to-day, arranged
in couples Of 100 feet apart. The depu-
ties formed a line across the road, and
warned them back as fast as each palr
came up. Each side wanted the other
to take the aggressive, but both factions
We're wary, and neither advanced be-
yond a certain point. The strikers then
returned to camp, but few of them
later managed to escape the deputies
and get among some of the miners IN
the company houses, doing some mis-
sionary work.
It was decided to march again to-
morrow, but it is doubtful if they Will
have any better success than they had
to-day The deputies have been grad
ually closing in on the camps, and Will
continue to do so, it is said, until the
men win not be allowed TO leave the
camps. This would virtually place
them under arrest The women are
doing good missinoary work, although
they did not march, as was anticipated
i
able for the working miners and depu-
ties as they know how
The number of men now in the two
camps is 175 Many of the men who
We're discharged from active service are
still in the neighborhood of the camp
Some have started across the country
to their homes, and others are endeav-
oring to secure work in the Irwin dis
trict
The officials of the New York and
Cleveland Gas Coal Company are jubi-
liant to-day, and say if their men are
left alone their mines will soon be IN
full operation. Superintendent De
Armitt would not say how much the
output was increased, but said it was
substantial
As result of Cameron Miller's ef-
forts. the Pardee mines in the Mercer
field were shut down to-day. They en-
pIoy 100 men. and have a daily capacity
of 250 tons.
The coal operators followed up their
meeting of last night by a conference
this afternoon, which was kept secreF
until this evening. The meeting was
we'll attended, and a permanent organi-
zation was effected. The fact was
brought out that the coal operators of
the Pittsburg district have not had an
organizat ton for more than a. year, and
1t was decided to form an organization
for the special purpose Of breaking up
the strike. Peter Hitchcock was made
President, c. NJ. Baine was chosen Sec
retary and J. c. Dysart Treasurer.
The aggregate coal output represented
sat the meeting to-day was five million
tons a year An agreement was drawn
up which provides that the signers shall
pay assessments based on the produc-
ing capacity of their mines to a fund
TO be raised for the purpose Of paying
the expenses of the strike.
The meeting of the coal operators to-
day and tonight viii bring about one of
two results. Either arbitration Will set
1le the strike or the mines will be started
with imported men. Tomorrow will de-
eide which course shall be pursued. The
DperatOrs are evidently in favor of arbi-
4ration in preference to a forcible open
inc Of their mines. This was evidenced
to-day. when Messrs. Murray and Os-
borne. representing the meeting, wired
National President RatchfOrd at Column
7pus. asking if Saturday next would be
suitable for a conference at Pittsburg
Of both sides. Should the arbitration
meeting not be arranged, it was decided
by the operators at their meeting to-
night that immediate preparations for
starting their mines with nOn-union
men shall be begun. The meeting ad-
tourned until tomorrow morning to
give Ratchford time to answer officially.
MARCHING CONTINUES.
PITTSBURG Pa.), Aug. 10. - The
campers at Plum Creek marched at
O'Clock this morning, according to their
announcement, but We're stopped by the
deputies and turned back to their
camps. No strikers were allowed to be
on the road, even though they were in
pairs and 100 yards apart. The strik-
ers obeyed the officers without a muir
mur.
1t is reported that about 200 farmers
from Plum Greek and wilkins Town
ships viii make q sympathy demon
stration. They viii form at New
Texas and march to the strikers camp
at Plum Creek and Turtle Creek. A
number of wagons containing food and
provisions viii accompany them on the
march, and speeches viii be made by
the leading farmers. The arrange
ments for the march were completed
last week, and every thing is in readi-
ness for the farmers TO so ahead.
At a meeting of about 1000 miners
and laborers at Big Soldiers. Sprague
HaiIston and Peole mines it was de-
cided to demand an advance in wages
from - cents to 32 cents per ton foI
machine mining; other wages in proper
tion and satisfaction in regard to check
weight-men's pay. A committee was
appointed to call on General Manager
Robinson and present the demands
Meanwhile arrangements Will be adopt
ed TO call meetings at all the other
mines of the jefferson and Clearfield
Coal and Iron Company, with view
of having the men demand a similar
advance, and all possible influence vii
be used to extend the strike into the
Clearfield County collieries. There are
now 100 strikers here. Organizer Har-
ris is confident the men Will win. A
six-foot fence is being built around
the Jefferson and Clearfield Coal and
Iron Company's big Soldier works. and
it is reported that new men viii be
started to work.
A rumor that certain Pittsburg oper-
ators have made the statement that