Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-09-08
UNRESTRICTED.
The Pittsburg District Delegates Go to
Columbus Untrameled.

a Remarkable Victory Won by
Patrick Dolan in the District
Meeting-In Spite ofOverwhelm-
Ing Sentiment for the SixtyNine
Cent Rate, No Instructions Were
Given, and the Delegates Are
Free to Act as They See Fit to
Settle the Strike Pittsburg Dis
trict May Secede on Account Of
Determinations
Pittsburg, Pa, September THE
convention of mine workers to-day to
select delegates to the Columbus con-
vention tomorrow was one of the
largest ever held and probably has not
been before equalled in excitement and
Importance. The future of thousands
of miners, their wives and children,
depended on the action Of the gather
ing.
=. Although the rank and file of the
delegates seemed inbued with the idea
that the operators were ready to throw
up their hands and pay the SO cent
rate demanded by the strikers, Presi-
dent Patrick Dolan, by excellent diplo-
macy, tact and perseverance, kept them
so well within bounds that the dele
gates from this district will go to Col
umbus with instructions to use their
discretion in the settlement of the
difficulty. President Dolan was well
aware of the fact that if the delegates
went to the Columbus convention in
structed to hold out for the So cent
rate, another struggle more bitter than
ever, with hunger and starvation for
many, was imminent. To him, almost
alone, belongs the credit Of having the
delegates go unhampered by resolutions
and free to act as they think best for
the good of the miners of the Pitts
burg district. Dolan's idea was to have
the delegates go to Columbus untram-
meled, where they could consult with
delegates from other States and with
the national officials. He intimated
that there would be many questions
and facts to be considered that have as
yet not appeared on the surface.
From another source it is learned
that Dolan will make big fight to-
morrow on behalf of the mining in
dustry of Western Pennsylvania 1t is
stated that at the conference with the
operators at Columbus last week, he
was apprised Of certain facts which led
him to believe that not only the oper-
ators, but the miners of his district
have been Disseminated against and a
fight will be made for justice and fair
hot o,. Of bn }frn hot
tie will be fought out, is an open ques-
ton, but it is known that the basis for
a permanent settlement in the Pitts
burg district, next December, will be
well defined and thoroughly understood
tomorrow.
If the issues are too finely drawn, it
is intended that there will be a seces-
sion from the national organization by
the Pittsburg district. To many this
move seems probable.
Dolan has the sympathy and support
Of the majority of the operators here
and if he succeeds in rallying the min
ers of other States to his cause as well
as he has succeeded at home, he will
have won a great battle.
Dolan will use every endeavor to bring
the convention into line for the accept
ance of the compromise rate and knows
he has a task confronting him. Many
delegates from other States. notably Ohio
and Illinois, will. go into the convention
tomorrow with determination TO hang
out for the 69-cent rate in spite of the wish
of the national officers. Dolan knows this
and in order to have his own district with
him, he to-day succeeded in choking off
a resolution embodying the rate question
by one of the most eloquent speeches ever
heard in City Hail. and gained the VIC
tory he fought for.
The following delegates at large were
elected:
Thomas Kenny, Thomas Chatway, Paul
Trimmer, Jacob Afolder, Frank McKen-
ma.
District delegates were elected as fol-
lows:
Patrick Dolan, Henry Walker VIM
Doods. J. w. Hindmarsh. VIM. Miller,
Charlie. Laird, jeremiah L. Vanche, JOS
eph Rea, VIM. George. VIM. Warner,
John O'Neal, Cameron Miller, John Dris-
coil, Peter Sample. and ID. c. Blue
The delegates left tonight over the Pan
Handle for Columbus in the best frame
of mind.
This morning was the time set for the
second presentation in court of the Pc
tition of the New York and Cleveland Gas
Coal Company praying for the court to is
sue an attachment for contempt against
Patrick Dclan and other miners officials
The attorneys for the prosecution failed
10 appear and the hearing was postponed
The attorneys say the proceedings have
not been dropped, but when the petition
will be presented they could not say
The striking miners who were encamped
a Irwin left for their homes to-day and
abandoned their camp.
The strikers said they were satisfied to
take 65 cents and will go to work
All the men of the Westmoreland and
Pennsylvania Gas Coal Company were at
work to-day.
At Herminie the miners are actually on
the point of starvation. They were re-
ceiving 60 cents and voted to remain at
work. The strikers from the river march
ed to Herninie and got the men out The
Berwind-White Company then closed
down their mine. fenced in the pits and
shipped their mules to Clarified. The
miners are now out of work and out of
money and their condition is serious
They have begged the COMPANY TO omen