The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-08-20
OPERATORS COMBINE
Pittsburg District Mine Owners Ef.
feet Permanent Organization
IN ORDER TO BREAK THE STRIKE.

IN ORDER TO BREAK THE STRIKE.
But They WIN First Try to Arbitrate.
Meantime the Strikers Remain in the
Camps, Having Been Prevented from
Marching by the Deputies.
Pittsburg. Aug. 20--The coal oper.
ators followed up their meeting Of We'd
nesday night by a conference yester-
day afternoon. which was kept secret
until evening. The meeting was well
attended. and a permanent organiza-
ton was effected. The fact that the
coal operators of the Pittsburg district
have not had an organization for more
than a year was talked over, and It
was decided to form an organization
for the special purpose of breaking the
strike. Peter M. Hitchcock, president
Of the Moon Run Coal company, was
made president: G. M. Balm, Of Nor
gan, Moore & Balm, was chosen Sec
rotary. and J. c. Dysart, of the Char
tiers Block Coal company, treasurer.
The aggregating output represented at
the meeting was 100000 tons year.
An agreement was drawn up which
provides that the signers shall pay as
sessments, based on the producing ca
pacity of their mines, to a fund to be
raised for the purpose Of paying the
expenses Of the strike. The telephone
was kept busy all afternoon, and many
Pittsburg operators sent word that
they would sign, even though not pres
ent at the meeting. A committee Of
seven was appointed to carry on the
campaign.
Colonel W. P. Rend said after the
meeting: I'VE propose to operate our
mines, and II our own men will not
work then others will take their places.
I would much rather that confer
ence be held and the troubles adjusted
before we take the step we intend to,
which, Just as sure as the sun rises,
will be the means Of operating the
mines at our pleasure"
The operators are evidently in favor
Of arbitration in preference to an OPEN
ing of their mines. This was evidenced
yesterday when Messrs. Murray and
Osborne. representing the meeting,
wired National President Ratchford,
at Columbus, asking If Saturday next
would be suitable for conference at
Pittsburg of both sides.
The Rend and Robbins interests on
Wednesday night telegraphed Ratch-
ford, asking him to come to Pittsburg
to try and settle the strike. District
President Dolan followed the telegram
to Columbus, and has been endeavor-
ing by personal persuasion to bring
about such meeting. Dolan yesterday
telegraphed that Ratchford was will
Ing to confer, but preferred not to
meet with the Pittsburg operators only,
but an interstate representation.
The telegram sent by the meeting
yesterday insisted that Indiana AMI
Illinois would not consent to a con-
ference, and 1t now remains with Presi-
dent Ratchford to say whether or not
he will meet with the Pittsburg oper-
ators and trust to the others to fol-
low the decision there made.
1t is believed that a conference will
be held here on Saturday, because just
after the session of the operators had
adjourned Colonel Rend received
telegram from his son, Joseph, who Is
in Columbus, saying: "Dolan says
Saturday will be selected for confer
ence, and executive board will. be in
session tomorrow"
1t is inferred from this that Ratch-
ford has concluded to attend the con-
ference.
Should the arbitration meeting not
be arranged for it was decided by the
operators at last nights meeting that
immediate preparations for starting
their mines with non-union men shall
be begun. In that event the mines will
be started In a few days. Machine
mines will be selected for the initial
movement, as none of the pick mine
operators care for hostilities to begin
at their mines.
The striking campers at Plum Creek
and Turtle Creek marched again yes
terday. after the program arranged.
in couples 100 feet apart. The deputies
formed line across the road and
warned them back as fast as each pair
came up. Each side wanted the other
to take the aggressive. but both fac
tons were wary. and neither advanced
then returned to camp. but a few of
them later managed to escape the depu-
ties and got among the miners, doing
considerable missionary work. 1t was
decided to march again today.
The deputies have been gradually
closing in on the camps. and will con-
tinue doing SO until "the men will not
be able to leave the camp" This would
virtually place them under arrest.
Women are doing good missionary
work. although they did not march as
anticipated. They are still making it
as uncomfortable as possible for the
deputies and working miners. If the
attempt to pass the deputies is sue
cessful, the women will join the ranks
tomorrow.
The farmers from the surrounding
country contributed large donations of
provisions and garden truck to the
campers yesterday. The number of
men now In the two camps Is It's. Many
of the men who were discharged from
active service are still in the neighbour
hood of the camp, while some have
started across the country to their
homes and others are endeavoring to
secure work in the Irwin district. An
other mass meeting at Plum Creek is
talked Of and may be held at the
camp either tonight or Monday night.
The officials of the New York and
Cleveland Gas Coal company are jubi-
liant, and say If their men are left
alone the mines soon will be in full
operation. Superintendent DeArmitt
would not say how much the output
was increased yesterday, but said 1t
was substantial. Eight cars Of lump
and slack was mined at Plum Creek,
md about u cars at Turtle Creek.
As result of Cameron Miller's eff
forts the Pardee mines In the Mercer
field were shut down yesterday. They
employ over 100 men. and have daily
IN nil nf