The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-07-03

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Tomorrow NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Day-the $4,000 coal miners OF the
country, under the United Mine Work
ers of America, will go out on strike for
the scale rates of wages. Very few
miners In the Pan Handle of West Vlr-
glnla are affected-the membership OF
two local unions-but In Belmont conn-
ty, across the river, the 5000 miners In
that field are to go out, at least all VINO
belong to the labor organization. For
several days 1t has been doubted that
the strike would be ordered, but ali
doubt was dispeled when the following
circular was received by local coal
miners from the officials of the United
Mine Workers of America;
10 the Mine Workers OF the Country
AT the last annual convention OF the
United Mine Workers OF America, held
In the city OF Columbus, Ohio January
l2-l9 1897, after a full and careful re-
view of the distressing condition of our
craftsmen, brought ON by the continued
reductions In our wages; In order 70
prevent any further reduction from tax
ing place, and to secure for us Il living
rate of wages that will enable us to live
as Americans ought TO, 80 as to real
he from our labor at least a suillclency
to provide the necessities OF life, 1t was
determined that the scale OF prices
should be advanced to the following
rates:
Pennsylvania pittsburgh dlstrIct)
pick ming, SO cents per ton; Ohio, pick
mining, 60 cents per ton; Indiana, Obi
tuminous) 60 cents per ton; Illinois
Grape Creek, IS cents per ton. The
balance OF the state Qlllnols) the min
ing rate OF 1894. Machine mining to be
paid three-hfths of the price per ton
paid for pick mining, except in Indiana
(bitumlnous), where the price shall be
four-iifths per ton OF the price paid for
pick mining, other mining sections a
corresponding increase In price that VIII
place them on n relative basis.
1t was further agreed that the time
for enforcement OF the scale be LETT win
the national executive board and the
district presidents. to determine when II
would be most opportune. Therefore,
pursuant to the instructions Of the ma
tlonal convention the national board
and district presidents met In Columbus
on June 24-26 and decided that In their
judgment the time was opportune TO
suspend on July T. 1884, for the enforce
meht of the before mentioned scale
rates Therefore, mine workers every
where will take notice and govern
themselves accordingly:
The success and effectiveness Of this
movement win depend upon the una
nimity and fidelity with which you OBJ
serve the action OF your national con-
yention. The signs OF the times, MS
pointed out by the press and by testi-
mony OF men versed In public AFFAIRS,
are, that business Is revlving, that an
upward tendency In PRICES OF all COM
modItles is apparent, In the general
business revival and Industrial I'M
provement which IS earnestly proclaim
ed, we ought to share. and II we do not
attempt to share we shall be false TO
ourselves and those dependent upon us,
for remember that 1t has ever been
that they who would be free must
strike the first blow themselves" and
that eternal vigilance Is the price OF
liberty" Therefore, let our watch
word be, "1'hat labor IL worthy of It's
hire, and mine workers are entitled TO
fair days pay for fair days WORK"
In conclusion, we would urge upon
the mine workers everywhere the ne
cesslty OF constituting themselves into
local committees, for the purpose Of
seeing that action is at once tak9n, to
give effect and maintain the objects
sought to be accomplished. The field
of operations Is large, and 1t VIII be an
impossiblllty for the national and DIS
trict officers to attend TO all points, con-
sequently local leaders are urged to as
sumo the responsibility and authority
If mi n
desires.
To insure success great care should
be exercised by all that no breach OF
the peace occurs at any time or place,
or under any circumstances. Bulletins
will be Issued from time to time TO
keep you informed OF the progress OF
affairs.
Tho circular is signed by President
Ratchford, Vice President Kane, Sec
rotary Pearce. District Presidents Do
Ian, Carson, knight and Farms, and
the members of the national executive
board.
The officers say $4,000 men are In
volved us proposed strikers. So far as
anything can be learned here from oiil-
clals the call for the Pittsburgh meet
ing OF miners to-day is to decide how
the strike Ia TO be conducted In that
district. They have to consider plans
TO take care OF the women and children
during the strike. President Ratch-
ford says this Is the best time TO settle
the question OF wages, as during the
summer the men can make use of their
little garden plots In obtaining subslst-
ence, The needs Of clothing are not 80
great as In winter.
The proposed scale Is Intended to
make work for miners profitable 10
them In the Pittsburgh district and
elsewhere. Pittsburgh, as claimed, Us
paying "a cents per ton and Ohio 81. To
make the dlfferentlal what the Ohio OPP
orators claim II ought to be they threat
en- To reduce the Ohio miners to 10 cents
per ton, or nine cents below Pittsburgh.
The miners propose. II possible, to raise
Pittsburgh prices. so as to prevent n
reduction I'm Ohio to 10 cents, and the
possibility of even a farther reduction
in eastern Ohio IN case Pittsburgh
should keep on lowering rs Ohio lowered
to maintain tho dlfferential OF nine
cents.
President Dninn Commits Himself
PITTSBURGH July 2,-Dlstrlct Pres.
ldcnt Patrick Dolnn, Of the miners Or
Ranizatlon, IN commenting ON tho clrcu-
lar, said:
III win remain with the convention OF
miners tomorrow 10 decide whether a
strike shall he nat,rut'Dted In this dis
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