The Mena weekly star., 1897-07-28
COAL MEN CONFER.
Operators Meet the Arbitration Com
 mission for Settling the Strike.
LABOR LEADERS ALSO MEET.
Efforts Being Made to Interest All Unions in the striIxe-uIinois Miners Forced toouit Work by a Large Body
 of Strikers.

PITTSBURGH, Pa, July 7-The con- ference of western Pennsylvania coal operators which the joint arbitration commission fully expects to adopt a plan which will settle the big miners strike was called for II o'clock this morning in the courthouse, but, owing to the slowness of the operators to gather, it was almost noon before 1t was called to order. It is the largest meeting of the kind ever held in this district. The convention being an open one, miners, officials and many interested citizens were present as spectators. The operators present represent practically the entire dis trict.
 As yet the true uniformity" plan, Which is being urged by the arbitra- tion commission, is the only one pre- sented for action. While the operators generally are apathetic and have little faith in the successful consummation of the commission's wish, they ore anxious to discuss and adopt some plan which will put the miners to work True uni tormity calls for cash payments for every 2,000 pounds of coal mined every two weeks, abolishment of company stores and a uniform screen. The diff ferential between the thick and thin vein coal and between Ohio and Penn sylvania coal may also come up for consideration. The ambition of the arbitrators and w. F. DeArmitt, the father of the uniformity agreement, is to have 95 per cent. of the S9 ope rators agree to adopt a system or standard of doing business.
 Miners Officials Dolan and Warner have assured the sheriff that the strik- CTS had no intention of marching on the mines of the New York & Cleve- land Gas Coal Go President Dolan said that it was not intended to lose the sympathy of the public by an ill., advised display of force.
 A body of LOGO miners, carrying heavy clubs, marched to the Castle Shannon mines at Oak station, where about 40 men were working and pre- vailed upon them to come out There was no disorder.
 Many Labor Leaders Confer.
 WHEELING, w. Va, July 27. The conference of national labor organiza- tion officers to be held here to-day will further efforts will be made to tie up the coal production of West Virginia The conference is secret, but efforts are being made to interest all unions in the coal strike. Conservative men say the utmost that can be accom- plished is to assess a tax on all of the various organizations to maintain the striking coal miners, but Debs and Mahon want all to come out.
 Illinois Miners Forced Out
 MowEAQUA, H., July 27.-Last night large body of Pana and Moweaqua miners, headed by drum and fife corps, marched on the Assumption shaft and forced the men who were loading coal for the local trade and thrashers to cease work. This morn ing when the whistle blew not miner went to work. The farmers are very bitter in their denunciation of the miners, inasmuch as the farming com munity has contributed to the miners cause very literally.
 Mines Under County Protection.
 FAIRMoNT, w. Va, July 27.-At Watson to-day locKs were put on all the gates and deputies called for, which puts every mine in the county under the countys protection. This is done by the operators so the county will be responsible if any of their property shall be burned. At Beech wood, Hites, Monongah, West Fair mont and New England, men were at work to-day and from all appearances 10 more men will join the strikers.