Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-07-13


president United Mine Workers)
Plumbers association; M. P. Carrick, pres
1dent of the Brotherhood of Painters and
Decorators; L. r. Thomas, president of
the National Patternmakers' league; w. B.
Mahon, president of the Amalgamated As
ISOLATION of Street Railway Employees: Pat
rick Dolan, district president of the United
Mine Workers of America, and W. NJ. War
,ner, district secretary Of the United Mine
Workers.
The session was secret and it was al
most midnight before it was over. The
press committee, Messrs. Gompers,
Ratchford and Counahan, then gave out
the following statement, in which was
incorporated, they said, all that was
done at the conference. The manifesto
follows:
What Was Done.
After an informal discussion reports
were made by Messrs. Ratchford, Dolan
and Warner in regard to the situation Of
the movement and it was demonstrated
that the suspension was practically gen.
eral In the competitive bituminous coal
district, extending also to Kentucky and
Tennessee, excepting a few points in West
Virginia. 1t was realized that the situa-
ton IN West Virginia required attention
IN order that the suspension should become
absolutely general and success assured.
With that object in view. action was rec
commended by President Gompers of the
American Federation of Labor, and it was
determined upon to overcome this feature
OF the contest. 1t was also determined tina t
every effort be made on the part of those
present to secure the cooperation and prac-
teal aid OF organized labor for the strug-
Cling miners. All the circumstances war
ranted the firm conviction that the miners
Will ultimately achieve victory, and to this
END the aid of labor and the sympathetic
public is invoked. Conscious of the great
interest which the public has in contest
so widespread as that of the miners gives
US great satisfaction to know that the
miners have not been and are not now on
posed to arbitration. We therefore urge
and advise that a conference be held by
representatives of the miners and opera
tors with the view of arriving at a settle
ment OF the present suspension.
Notwithstanding the positive an
nouncement by the committee that the
statement furnished the press covered
all the proceedings of the conference,
1t is known that an organized effort to
secure general suspension of mining
In West Virginia was decided upon.
After thorough canvass of the situa-
ton, it was unanimously agreed that
the West Virginia miners held the kew
to the situation and without their
united support the success of the gen
eral movement would be greatly ieop-
ardized.
Lines Tightening.
The best information puts the pres
ent state of the strike in this district
as about complete, with the exception
OF the pits of the New York & Cleveland
Er,o :,
several others in the fourth pool. It
seems that the officials are having more
trouble in getting. the miners Of the
upper river section out than in any
other portion of the territory. u is,
too, WITH that of the De Armitt mine.
the vital point of the district. Strong
efforts will be made this week by Presi-
dent Dolan to get all the river diggers
into the movement.
Some of the reports from the Monon-
gahela river district indicate that MANY
OF the miners of that section are weak.
ening, and that some have already re-.
turned to work, with prospects of more
following the same example before
long.
This condition of affairs is causing
much excitement in the valley. A spe-
cial from Fayette City says: Crowds
pf Idle miners are gathering, and unless
the miners of those places in operation
lay down their tools, at once, it is said
march OF miners beginning at Fayette
City, with brass band leading, will be
made, and every man persuaded to quit
work. The miners, when spoken to,
were In deadly earnest, and will not rest
until every digger comes out and Joins
IL the general strike.
A Critical Time.
/ The officials of the United Mine Work.
ers, both local and national, realize
that this is crucial time in the strike
movement, with the greatest interest
centered In the Pittsburgh district.
Efforts will be made to get out all the
working river miners and the DeArmitt
men, such as were never made before in
The history of coal strike. Much de-
ponds upon their success, and, in fact,
1t will likely be the turning point in the
Trouble is expected on the Wheel
Ing division to-day, as it will be pay
day. 1t is estimated that fully $4,000
will be paid out in cash. An effort will
be made by some of the operators and
railroad officials to have the licensed
'aloons at Finleyville closed, claiming
hat there will be rioting if the men
Who have money patronize these places.
There are many foreigners employed
s the mines. and they are considered