Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-08-20
FORKS OF THE ROADS
Seem Tc-Be Reached in the Stu.
alton in the Great Strike
Of Coal Miners.
OPERATORS PROPOSE ARBITRATION

And Will Confer Tomorrow, Probably,
with the Strike Leaders, Including
Observation-Disclosures Executive Said to
Have Called q Meeting Of All the FEEDER
Grated Unions to Consider . General
Tfe-Up IL the Strike Is Not Settled-Op-
orators Preparing on the Other Hand to
Start Non-Union If Settlement Fails.
Columbus, O., Aug. 2O.-The officials
Of the United Mine Workers have
awakened to a full realization OF the
fact that a crisis is at hand in the
great strike, and are preparing for a
final effort. The proceedings OF the
meeting of the national executive board
have been guarded with the greatest
secrecy. but enough has been learned
to indicate that plans are being laid
for a grand coup. 1t is learned from an
official source that a resolution was
adopted by the national board provid-
ing for the calling Of conference OF
all federated unions at St. Louis on
Aug. 30. The purpose is to secure the
cooperation of all these organizations.
They will be asked not merely for SYM
pathy, but to join in the great strike.
The plan is to tie up traffic on the
railroads and in other channels of busi-
ness, so that the supply of coal may be
effectually cut off and thus force the
operators to negotiate for general set
Element Of the wage question. Failing
in this the miners officials do not init
mate what course will be taken.
What the Operators Are Doing,
Pittsburg, Aug. 20-The meeting OF
| the coal operators yesterday and last
night will bring about one of two re-
suits: either arbitration will settle the
strike or the mines will be started with
| imported men. Today will decide which
course shall be pursued. The operators
are evidently in favor Of arbitration in
preference to a forcible opening of their
| mines. This was evidenced yesterday
when Messrs. Murray and Osborne. rep
\ resenting the meeting, wired National
President Ratchford at Columbus ask
| ing If tomorrow would be suitable for
| a conference at Pittsburg of both sides.
| The Rend and Robbins interests
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 endeavoring
by personal persuasion to bring about
| such a meeting. Dolan yesterday tele-
! graphed that Ratchford was willing to
| confer, but preferred not to meet the
| Pittsburg operators only, but an inter-
state representation.
Conference VIII Probably BE Held.
The telegram sent by the meeting yes.
terday insisted that Indiana and Hi.
nois would not consent to q conference
and it now remains with President
Ratchford to say whether or not he will
meet with the Pittsburg operators ant
trust to the others to follow the de.
cision there made. 1t is believed that G
conference will be held here tomorrow
because just after the session of the op
orators had adjourned Colonel Rend re
ceived a telegram from his son Joseph
who is in Columbus. saying: Dollar
says Saturday will be selected for con
ference. Executive board will be in ses
sion tomorrow"
| Arbitration Offered the Miners.
It is inferred from this that Ratch
ford has now concluded to attend tn
conference. When Dean went to Co
lumbus Wednesday night he was givel
absolute authority by Rend. Robin
and others to arrange for unqualifie,
arbitration, and he has been working t
this end all day. Should the arbitration
meeting not be arranged for 1t was de
cided by the operators at their meet
ing last night that immediate prepare
tions for starting their mines non-unio
shall be begun. The meeting adjourne
, until this morning to give time 70
Ratchford to answer officially. Shout
. Ratchford's reply be adverse the mine
win be started in few days.
, DEPUTIES STOP THE MARCHERS