New-York tribune., 1897-08-26
OPERATORS NOT UNITED.
SOME OF THEM LESS ANXIOUS TO
RESUME WORK IN THE MINES.
OTHERS INSIST on GOING AHEAD-A sre"ri
COMMITTEE IN CHARGIs-THE CAMP
ORDERLY

COMMITTEE IN CHARGIt-THE CAMP
ING STRIKERS ORDERLY
Pittsburg Aug. 2J.-The coal operators OF the
Pittsburg district have made change OF 'front.'
since Yesterday Internal dissensons. mixed
with fear the part Of some. caused spit III
their forces and change of base. on its face
the move looked to many like temporary sur
render to the United Mine Workers of America
This however is denied In most emphatic terms
by the most prominent lake shippers, who say
they are going to start their mines and supply
the demand from the Northwest, and not stand
idly by and let a large volume or puslhess 30
10 operators Of other states.
They publicly say that they are willing TO
walt for a week or ten days before decided
move is made They assert that this will give
them ample time to get the lake trade Some or
the operators in the meeting were frank enough
to state that the situation at the present time
in all branches Of labor Is critical and that they
have no desire to make any move that would
cast odium on the operators OF the Pittsburg
district
II was under these conditions that the oper-
ators went into session this morning There
were many who had not signed the agreement
TO contribute their share toward the expense
that might accrue in the effort to start the mines.
and they the loudest in the appeals TO hold
aloof and await developments.
1t was proposed that notices should be printed
in various languages stating briefly the position
Of the operators. and also final notice TO the
miners that the mines ready to be operated
as soon as the men expressed desire TO go
to work This proposal was barely entertained
and voted down. showing that many Of the oper-
ators had receded from the stand they had
taken A motion to discharge all committees
and adjourn sine die was made and prevailed.
In the afternoon another meeting Of the most
prominent and largest lake shippers was held
The session short. and as result the fo-
lowing was issued by the Press Committee:
The organization composed of all the coal
operators which has been in session at the
Monongahela House adjourned this morning
sine die This action puts affairs into the
hands Of committee appointed under an agree
ment which was entered into at Cleveland. and
which has since been ratified and strengthened
by the signatures of a large majority OF the
railroad producers of this district. This COM
mittee is vested with discretionary powers TO
act"
All efforts to find out who composed this spe-
cal committee futile. The Press Commit
tee after repeated entreaties. refused 70 divulge
the names. J. Is. Zerbe who presided at the
meeting. was emphatic in asserting that the
operators who had originally gone into the COM
nact at Cleveland to break the strike had not
changed their intentions.
saw II in all sincerity. that the operators VINO
originally made the move toward starting their
mines have not changed their intentions; II Is
true that the organization that mas peen IN ses-
sion for the last few days has been virtually
abandoned The old organization. the one that
was originally formed with Peter NJ Hitchcock
as chairman c. NJ. Baihe secretary, ana j. 1:
Dysart treasurer, hds not been abandoned ana
will continue the work on lines originaiIy
mapped out. Just when this resumption IS 10
take place / am not prepared nor am AT Io-
erty TO state - =
The Cleveland operators started for their
homes tonight, and it Is probable that another
meeting will he held In Cleveland IN a tew aass,
No marching was done by the striking miners
in the De Armitt mine region during th
night or early morning. The roads were IN pad
shane from the heavy rains. and the men re-
moined inside the lines Of the camps. During
the day they quietly sauntered out IN smail
gpoups and continued their missionar! WORK
among the miners The campers are much en-
couraged with their attempts AT proseN''ns
and will continue the work during the afternoon
and early evening OF each day. They say they
induced ten men to quit work d, oah @ ~ mn 49, ~
dav and that many more Will he out to-mor-
row This is PAYDAY at oak Hill and the camp,
ers believe that after the men have received
their money they will join the strikers.
Al Plum Creek the strikers seem 10 De iosing
ornund every day To-day the company declned
that every man who did not go to work at once orc,
could not 20 ct all hereafter. They say this VIII
no enforced A few men who have been promi-
nort In irving 10 induce miners 10 strike applied
for work but were turned away.
Tho colored railroad laborers' camp at Unity
across the 70 al from the strikers camp at Plum
Crao,t has been in a turmoil for twenty-four
hou,s II was payday yesterday. and trouple
started. as soon as the men got their lhoney'
During the night three more co'ored men were
shot but none will die. Thomas C2sN, VIC
murdered John Kelly on Sunday. has not Yet
been captured An armed force is still securing
the woods for him.