The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1897-09-22
LABOR'S VICTORY
President RatchfOrd Gives Out
an Official Statement of the
Strike.
The Outcome One for Which All
Organized Labor Is Entitled
to Credit.
Condition of Affairs in West
Virginia and Illinois
Outlined.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 22.-M. 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 to the
Associated Press:
To-day will see about $4,000 miners
resume work in the bituminous coal
fields of the Central states. The strike
generally ends today. This is the mid.
die of the 18th week of of its duration.
It was brought to close at our con.
vention held at Columbus, o., on the
9Th to the l1th of the presenth month,
the 10 days time being given to allow
miners and operators to come together
in Illinois and West Virginia, to meet
the prices fixed-65 cents q ton in
Pittsburg, IS cents in Ohio and Indiana
the same to continue till the end OF
December. The mining situation is
not likely to become disturbed again
until the beginning of next year, at
which time we hope to be able to
Settle Wage Differences Am:cably
1t is we'll understood that the fight will
continue from the present time in all
6elds, and against all operators who re-
fuse to meet the rates. The greatest
trouble will be found in West Virginia
and portion of Illinois. am still
!, hopeful, however, that the producers OF
those fields will conform to the change
and put their mines in operation. Fail
ing to do this, we will fight them as we
have done until the beginning of next
year, at which time it is said their pres.
ent contracts will expire.
A Victory for All Union Labor.
II am we'll satisfied with the agree.
ment reached, and feel that it is the
greatest victory gained by trades unions
for years. OF course the victory is not
altogether one of the miners. While
they have done the striking, trades
unions and organized bodies have sup
piled the necessaries without which the
miners could not possibly succeed. It
is great 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. feel very grateful for the
assistance given us by the American
Federation Of Labor, and the kindly
disposition shown us at ell times by
MI. Gompers and the members OF the
executive committee"
Mr.. Ratchtord was asked as to the
situation in West Virginia and Illinois.
He said:
"My advices from West Virginia are
to the effect that our miners are stand
ing firm; are we'll pleased with the
agreement reached, and evince de-
termination to fight their battle to the
end. Our purpose is to bring the min.
ers and operators Of that state together
in q joint convention, that a uniform
mining price may be fixed and paid fol
, the same vein OF coal, and fair rela.
tive price for other veins within the
state. In short fix mining rate that
will give to West Virginia fair compet'
ing opportunities and nothing more.
LAS to Illinois, convention of the
4 Illinois miners is being held now.
\ have not had any advices from there
but can safely predict what their actor
II will be. They will continue the struggl,
until the relative prices are established
The greatest difficulty in the way O
advance in the Illinois district is TIN
fact that contracts were taken las
spring, based upon a low mining rate
as they were in Pittsburg and else
where. But this is matter that W,
cannot be responsible for; is a matte
Of business to the operator himself; n,
man has right to sell another man
labor one year In advance, without con
sulting tho laborer.. While we have ii
ways deferred to the claims Of mel
along those lines, the time has com
whed no further confederation can b