Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1897-07-16
THE GREAT COAL STRIKE

The conditions under which the coal
strike has begun are not favorable to It's sue
cess except in one respect. In saying that,
account is taken Of the junction which the
Pittsburg miners have formed with the men
In Ohio Indiana and Illinois. The strike
was declared TO be foredoomed TO failure IN
less the Pennsylvania miners shut down,
and work has stopped In most Of the local.
ties throughout the doubtful district But
the United Mine Workers did not pretend
10 say that the movement would be success
full II the Pitsburg men joined In. The re
suit OF such an immense strike as this could
hardly depend on the attitude or action OF
the miners Of one locality. II also follows
that the fact the West Virginia miners are
still working need not affect the success or
failure Of the shut down in other districts
Too many workmen are out of employment
10 make II possible for the West Virginia
miners to supply all the conditions essential
10 the conclusion or continuation of the
demonstration. II is the size Of this great
movement which promises II success.
Some Of the facts which threaten It's col
lapse may be readily perceived. In the first
place, the United Mine Workers have in.
auguratei new principle with this strike.
Heretofore they, together with about all the
dissatisfied members Of organized labor who
have ever gone on serious venture Of this
sort. have risen TO fight their employers with
an appeal for the sympathy of the public.
An effort has been made 10 all euch cases to
obtain arbitration. The United Mine Work
ers, while seeking friendly support in other
ways, are not now demanding settlement
on such basis. They do not wish to have
their differences arbitrated. On the other
hand, Senator Hanna, who may be called a
typical operator, is endeavoring TO compro.
mise on settlement secured 10 that fashion.
tits extremely doubtful, in the circumstances,
IL the miners as class will stand by the
program of no compromise except upon
their own terms through thick and thin.
Then there is the matter of organization, the
difficulty of feeding the hungry, the trouble
Of securing strike wages when all miners
are idle, the prevailing abundance OF coal
a, shipping points, and the slack demand for
II by manufacturers, In consequence of the
poor state OF business.
Yet, in spite of III and doubtful omens,
which the strikers must, from their point,
observe with more clearness than the disin-
terested public can, the leaders in this great
movement have worked up scheme Of pop
ular dissatisfaction in the mining regions
which should not be lightly discussed by the
coal operators in the country. Being the
greatest strike the coal operators Of this day
have had TO confront, 1t is an affair of tire
mendous possibilities. The very disorgan
ization Of the masses of men who are out of
work may serve TO restrict the operation OF
strike rules for maintaining order amongst
them. This is not deep and broad Debbs
scheme, be II remembered, involving an at
tack upon society and capital. II Is per u
more liable, consequently, to bring forth the
mob element 10 isolated sections, and to
carry more danger OF disaster TO private
which the miners can easily reach.