The record-union., 1897-07-11
THE GREAT STRIKE
OF COAL MINERS
Union Officials Meet and Decide
Upon a Plan Of Action.
A Vigorous War to be Waged Against
the New York ana Cleveland Companies.
Price of Coal More Than Doubled
in Value as Result OF the
Strike-Pittsburg Dealers Seek
ing to Buy West Virginia Coal,
in Order to Reap the Benefit OF
the Advance.


the Advance.
PITTSBURG, July 10-The week
closes with the forces engaged IN the
miners strike as determined as ever,
and on the alert to secure the slightest
advantage No openly aggressive work
was done to-day by either SIDE, put
the miners officials had a secret meet
ing, at which it is believed a Vlgourous
campaign against the New YORK ana
Cleveland Gas Coal miners, to be IN
augurated tomorrow, was decided
upon. The operators apparently are
doing little and are saying less. How
ever, their confidence in defeating the
miners has not abated in the least.
The effect of the strike is being man
ifested in the price of coal An in
crease of 80 cents a ton was SHOWN
to-day when application was made for
contracts, and a number OF Plttsburg
operators, not being able to work their
mines, are seeking to buy coal in the
ever, their confidence in defeating the
the advantage of the advance. There
has been no intimation of laWlesSnesS
as yet in this region, but Sheriff Low
rey of Allegheny County has antici-
pated the trouble by swearing in oOO
deputies, who are in readiness for the
field at a moments notice. At this
West Virginia field, in order to reap
zealousness. The miners say there will
be no overt acts committed during the
war, and all proceedings Will be strictly
within the law.
1off hn nj txr
quietly tonight, and will return IN
time to accompany the men IN thelr
demonstration against the New YORK
and Cleveland Company's miners. Inc
miners on the Wheeling division were
paid to-day for the two weeks endlhg
July 1st, and, contrary to eXpecta-
tions, there was not disorder at any OF
the companys offices. Nearly S40,OO0
is said to have been paid at the various
mines in Mononghela River and Vene-
tia. The men made their visit to the
cashier in a quiet and undemonstrative
manner.
Finelyville, which is practically the
center of the mines on that division,
was as quiet as a country village on
Sunday The practice of deducting rent
and store bills was followed to a large
extent at the company's offices.
At the majority of mines it is said
the men will be requored to pay their
months rent in advance, and Wher-
ever this is imposed, they will be re-
quired to vacate the company's houses.
There was furry in the coal mar
ket to-day. Before the strike coal was
quoted at 20 cents per ton. This after
noon it was difficult to buy at 81 o0
ton A few of the operators who were
on the inside made considerable money.
Some of the operators have gone into
the brokerage business on West Vir-
ginia coal The Port Royal Coal Com
pany has bought 800 cars of West Vir-
ginia coal, and was selling it from
81 80 to 81 10.
PLANS OF THE STRIKERS.
fITTSBURG, July 10.-The decision
of the labor leaders at last nights con-
ference in this city, to send organizers
into West Virginia and furnish funds to
bring out the miners in that State,
practically narrows down the strike to
a contest between the coal operators in
West Virginia and the labor unions of
the country.
The cry of the strikers will be that
with West Virginia in line the strike
will ultimately be successful.
No money or effort will be spared, it
is said, to accomplish the suspension of
every mine in the State.
The miners leaders will leave moth
ing undone to aid them in any way in
bringing the great struggle to sue
cessful termination.
AS a last resort, the railroad en-
ployes will be brought into the fight,
if possible The heads of the various
railway organizations have been ap-
pealed to for assistance if needed and it
is said that they will render all the
aid possible Grand Master Arthur.
Chief of the Brotherhood of Locomotive
Engineers, will be asked to issue or
ders to the engineers not to haul coal
until the miners differences are ad-
3usted This would effectually tie up
all the coal ready for shipment, and
what might be loaded in the event of
the failure to bring all of the miners
out.
When President Ratchford was asked
as to the truth of the report, he said:
I'VE have been keeping the features
of the strike from the newspapers for
several days. I will say. however, that
we have communicated with the heads
of all the railway organizations in the
country, and 1 believe we will have
their support in this struggle.
AS to asking them to call on the
railways to refuse to haul coal until
this trouble is settled, I will say this
will only be done after we have ex-
hausted all other means.
TT would hardly be fair to ask this
until we have used every effort to close
down every mine in the bituminous coal
fields. 1 do not care to discuss this
subject any further. We are certain
of success, and the situation to-day is
more encouraging than at any time
since the strike was inaugurated
Organizers will be sent into West
Virginia, but how many will go will
not be known for a few days The
National officers OF the trades unions
with whom we met last night. have
agreed to send organizers, but they will
have to consult with the Executive
Board in order@to determine how MANI
men each organization can send into
the field
The district officers will make a de-
termined effort tomorrow to bring out
the New York and Cleveland Gas and
Coal Companys miners. Arrangements
have been made for a march on these