The news & observer., 1897-08-13
PAT D0LAN SAYS MARCH
MINERS WILL HOLD THE FORT
BUT NOT RESIST ARREST.
A TRICK TO GET MILITIA CALLED OUT
Sheriff Will Claim insufficient Number of De.
put niners For Con-.
tempt--Entire Camp Will Follow
Jails Will be 0yercrowded, ,

JaS Will be 0vercrowded.
Pittsburg, Pa, Aug. 12.-Sweepingsan
far-reaching injunctions now figure ia the
coal miners strike in the PittsburS dis
trict. The developments of to-day tend
to make the situation strained one, and
it appears that a crisis is near att hand.
The strikers have demonstrated that
their assemblages, marches and I1issiOn-
airy work have materially affected the
output of the New York and Cleve-
land Gas Coal Company, whilg at the
same time public sympathy has peen en-
listed in their cause. The sher.ff's pro-
clamatiOn, issued two weeks sagO re-
straining the men from assembling and
marching, has been dead letter and
the marches have been continued daily.
No disturbance of any kind haF occurred,
the officials of the miners cOntriving
through the whole time to keep their
men within peaceful bounds. A pre-
liminary injunction was issued to-day
by Judges Collier and StOEe, which
now brings the matter to sthe county
courts for settlement. The order in
cludes President Ratchford and Secre-
tary Pierce, of the United milne Work
ers, of America, and President DOlan
and Secretary Warner, of the Pittsburg
district mine workers. The case will
be heard on Monday mOtning, and the
decision is looked forward to with much
interest. The miners ansl their officials
claim that they are keeping within the
law and have the right to assemble in
peace and demonstrate t5 the world that
they are being wroIged by a rate of
wages that, keep them constantly at the
point of starvation; also that they have
right to use their presence and influ-
ence among men whog are initiating
against their interests by continuing at
work.
Coal Company, on the other hand, as
sert that the marches and assemblage
are unlawful and menace to their em-
ployees, many of whom, they say, are
willing to work provided the strikers
remain away. Locking at the matter
from this standpoing, the company made
its radical move to-day in the courts to
bring about condition under which the
company can operate it's mines.
The much talked of bill for an in
junction against the United Mine Work
ers that was to shave been filed in the
United States courts, was filed in the
county courts about noon by counsel for
the New York end Cleveland Gas Coal
Company. The defendants named are
the United MiEe Workers of America,
Patrick DGlan, president: Edward Nc
Kay, vice president; VIM. Warner, sec
retary and treasurer, and others.
The plaintiff scompany sets forth that
it is a GorpoEltion under the laws of
Pennsylvania, Ewith a capital Of mil
lion dollars Invested in coal lands Of
Pennsylvania Three of their mines,
employing 1920 men, are at Plum Greek,
Turtle Greek and Sandy Greek. The
bill thea recites the conditions prevailing
at theif MINDS since the strike begun, and
argues that the strikers have paid no at
tention to tie sheriff's proclamation, and
that the livhs of miners and the property
of tn" cons,any are in In 1gCr.
Judge Collier granted preliminary in
junction restraining order and enjoining
the defendants from assembling, march
ing 3Or enhamping in proximity to the
mines anq houses of the miners for the
purpose t& intimidation, menaces, threats
and OpprabriOus words of preventing the
mihers OF the plaintiff from working.
It further restrains the defendants
from in1ucing or compelling any en-
psOyee oe miner to quit work.
"A heafing was fixed for August 16.
gThe injunction is regarded as the most
sweeping yet issued.
3. President Dolan expressed surprise
when SlfOrmed that it had been granted
and aQded:
1T will make no difference to us. We
will Aot break camp and will go right
along as usual until the matter is tested |
in THE courts. We will stay there regard |
less 5f every judge in Allegheny county, |
andSif they try to enforce the injunc-
tiOns they will have to build more jails to
accommodate the men,"
1 Il the strikers march in the morning, |
as shey now say they will, in defiance of |
thes injunction, capiases will be issued for |
the offenders on the charge of contempt |
of court. Should the injunction be en-
fofced the strikers camps around the
De Armit mines will soon be extinct The
strikers, though excited over the turn of
events, are in no wise disheartened.
Developments at Canonsburg are being
watched closely. The avowed intention |
of. the strikers to march tomorrow morn
iIdg despite Judge McIlvaine's injunction
is expected to result in bloodshed, or the
filling of the county prison with the ar
rested miners.
The long talked of demonstration
against the Westmoreland county mines
Gas been abandoned by the strikers after
one days trial because of lack of food.
The attempt, it is said, will be repeated
soon, when ample provisions will be car