The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1897-07-28
TIE LABoR LEADERs.
In Session at WheelIng-Men and OPP
orators Waiting the Result.

In Session at Whceling-Men and OPP
orators Waiting the Result.
Wheeling, W. Va, July 28-What is
declared to be the most important and
largest gathering of the heads of labor
organizations Of America ever held is
row in session Ia this citv 1t is this
conference Of labor leaders called last
week by President M. d. Ratchford
of the United Mine Workers, and ap-
proved by Samuel Gompers, Of the
American Federation of Labor, of
which the miners organization IS
part. The purpose OF the conference
Is to aid in a speedy and successful
termination of the great coal strike
Sessions Of the conference were held
during yesterday and last night.
Samuel Gompers, president of the
American Federation of Labor; Frank
Morrison, secretary of the Federation;
NJ. d, Ratchford, president of the Uni
ted Mine Workers of America; W, o,
Pearse, secretary of the miners or
ganizatiou; p. II. Morrissey, grand
master OF the Brotherhood of Railway
Trainmen and representatives from
about 25 other organizations were pres
ent.
side, and Secretary Morrison. also of
the Federation. was made secretary
Chairman Gompers called upon the
miners representatives to detail the
situation. They were also asked to
suggest in what manner the other la
boring organizations could give their
aid, President Ratchford, of the min
ers, addressed the conference at some
length, stating fully the causes that
had led to the suspension of work in
the bituminous regions, and presented
the conditions of the miners who are
taking part in the strike. He did not
propose anything in the way of rec
concentrations as to what the organized
labor of the country should do in aid
Of the strike. preferring that important
subject to be left to the consideration
of the conference. An appeal for aid
was made in a general way In the
course Of the remarks It was brought
out that the miners believe that the
hardest fight should be made at the
works OF the Cleveland and Plttsburg
Coal company (DeArmitts mine), in
the Pittsburg district. This was con-
sldered fully as important a point as
the West Virginia district.
kilograms pledging financial aid for
the miners were received from nearly all
the heads of organizations that had not
been able to attend on account of the
short notice. Mr.. Morrison says that
the chief aim Of the conference will be
to affect a suspension Of work in West
Virginia and at the DeArmitt mines
The conference has not yet come to
the point Of believing 1t necessary to
ask the hremen, conductors and brake
men 10 refuse to haul West Virginia
coal.
The conference adjourned at mid
night 1t was decided that President
Gompers should act as a committee Of
one in arranging for sympathetic mass
meetings all over the country on Aug
! 8. officers Of the American Federation
of Labor We're requested to communi-
cate with union organizations as to
what shall be done TO further the plan
outlined in last nights appeal. officers
Of the United Workers are to arrange
the systematic work of 100 labor or
ganizations in West Virginia, in which
state and I'm Pennsylvania renewed
efforts TO make the strike general Will
/ be made.
Men and operators in the Fairmont
region await a report OF the Wheeling
/ conference with anxiety. No new de-
velopments are reported In the region.
Miners Ont at the Governors Mine.
Altoona, Pa, July 2S.-Tive hundred
or more miners at Hastings have gone