Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-07-28
VIEWS OF THE SITUATION.
Opinions of Some of the Labor Leaders
Briefly Expressed

my district" he said. lis by DeArmitt S
men, and we hope to succeed in induc-
ing these men to lay down their tools.
We expect to put plan in operation
which will induce them to join the
strike movement. The injunction
places difficulties in our path, which we
hope to surmount."
Secretary T. l.. Lewis, Of the ONO
district, yesterday received letter from
President Farms. of the same district,
who is doing field work in Mcdowell
county. The letter states that the rail-
roads and other corporations Will not
allow meetings to be held on their
property, but meetings are being held
daily. He regards the situation as en-
couraging, and fixes August 4th as
date when nearly all the men in that
section of the State will have Joined
the strike. Meetings have been arrang-
ed for every mine in the Kanawha
district. Mr.. Lewis is also we'll pleased
with the action of the men in Mounds
vile and Glendale. 81 have not the
least doubt that we will ultimately
win" he said. "The strike is gaining
ground daily in West Virginia. Our
cause is just, and when. We can secure
a hearing we find no Difficulty in con-
vincing miners in this State that they
are standing in their own light, and
are gaining only temporary benefit.
We are going to win, and by peaceaDle
and lawful methods.
President Lennon, Of the Custom
Tailors' Union, was not thoroughly IA
miliar with the situation, but he re-
ferred to the scarcity of coal in Illinois,
as an indication that the strike is be-
ginning to tell. IF the striking min
ers need financial assistance, our or
ganization will help, as | believe every
organization affiliated with the Ameri-
can Federation Of Labor WILL.
President Ratchford stated that this
State is the battle ground upon which
the miners strike is being fought, and
that he was confident of success. He
disclaimed any intention to advocate
a general sympathetic strike, but adj
ded that he did not know what the
convention of leaders would decide up
on as the most effective course.
J. w. Mckinney, of Lafayette, Ind,
representing the national organization
of painters and decorators, said last
night: I'm my opinion this confer
ence has done more to cement and
amalgamate labor tina all the labor
events which have happened hereto
fore in a dozen years. Knights of La
Dor and American Federation stood
shoulder to shoulder, and that is the
sign of the coming victory. There
must be no more divisions In organized
labor. All labor must be organized,
and they must all stand together Here
tofore workingmen have been beaten
in detail. That day has gone past.
The motto, the injury Of one the con-
Germ of ALL was never better lived up
TO than when the national officers from
all over the country met here to-day.
/ think this conference has won the
miners fight. II it has not, there will
be another conference which will win
IT, But / believe 1t is won. believe
that American labor, standing In a
solid and compact mass. through the
national officers Of the organizations,
have made showing which will call a
halt in the ranks OF the opposition"
". D. Mahon, who has done such
good service in the Fairmont region.
endorsed all that Mr.. Mckinney said,
and added some enthusiastic comments