The record-union., 1897-08-26

PITTSBURG Pa), Aug. 25.-The
pOwer-house of the Federal Coal Com
pany, operated by E. w. Powers, at
Federal, Pa, on the Pittsburg, Char
tiers and YoughiOgheny Railroad, was
burned shortly after midnight. The
flames spread rapidly, and great diff
Guilty was experienced in saving the
tipple. There seems to be no doubt
that the fire was the work of incendi-
aries, as three men were seen running
down the railroad a few minutes before
the flames were discovered.
Since the strike was started Mr.. Pow
ers has made himself unpopular by
threatening to import colored men and
start his mines.
The Federal mines were operated by
machinery. The loss was $1,000.
Striking miners are accused of poi
soning the mules in Sterling mine No.
5, at Hastings, Pa. One mule has died
and another is missing, and four more
are extremely sick. The company is re-
ported to have had the carcass of the
dead examined, with the result of prov
ing its death was due to poison. 1t is
understood the mine will be closed down
and the tracks removed. 1t is one of
the largest mines in Hastings, and is
the one at which the men and Superin-
tendent Nicholson have had so much
trouble.
Representatives of all the coal opera
tors in the Pittsburg district met at the
Monongahela House at 10 o'clock this
morning to devise ways and means for
opening the mines Immediately at all
/ hazards. The meeting was held behind
closed doors and adjourned at 1870
o'clock this afternoon. After the meet
ing the operators said the entire session
had been taken up with discussion of
the following resolution, which was
adopted:
'Inasmuch as the efforts we have
made to bring this strike to an end have
| failed, and that now there is no pos
sibility of a settlement on the lines of
Cancellation and arbitration, therefore,
be it
Resolved, That we have no course
/ left open but to continue the struggle
along the lines that may appear to be
most productive of the results desired
in the interests of miner and operator
alike
Resolved, That we discharge all
committees and adjourn sine die"
It is said that the operators will now
prepare to open their mines. Notices
will be posted at once in conspicuous
! places about the various pits of the dis
/ trict notifying the strikers That they
can return to work if they care to.
| After sufficient time has elapsed and
| the men do not return. the operators
will engage employees from other places
and start their mines.
The camp of negro 1aborers at Unity,
near the striking miners camp at Plum
! Greek. which has a record for law
! Iessness unequaled in this State. is to
be broken UP. During the past month
| there have been several murders and a
score or more of shooting scrapes at
the camp. in which many of the ne
groes were injured Last night three
men were shot. and on SUNDAY one man
was killed and four dangerously wound
| ed
Yesterday was pay day at the tun-
mel, and it also marked the arrival of
| 100 colored women of the worst char
acter ut the negro camp. With the ad-
vent of these women and lots of bad
/ liquor all records for lawlessness and
disorder at the camp were broken, and
! the widest excitement ensued.
! So bad has the situation now become
! that even the railroad superintendent
on the work are afraid to enter camp.
Tomorrow the company will march a
strong guard of heavily armed men
| into the camps and drive out all the
women and gamblers at the muzzles of
! Winchesters This done, a. dead line
will be drawn about the camp, and
they viii ont be permitted to return.
The whole neighborhood at Unity is in
a state of terrorism. The farmers dare
not walk the roads unless heavily arm
ed. and then only by twos and threes.
! No marching was done by the min
ers in the De Armitt region in the early
morning. The roads are in bad shape
| from the recent heavy rains. The men
sauntered out in small groups, and con-
| tinued their missionary work among
the miners.
| This was pay day at Oak Hill, and
the campers believe that since the men
have received their money they will
Join the strikers.
| At Plum Creek the strikers seem to
be losing ground every day. To-day
the company decided that every man
who did not go to work at once could
not go at all hereafter. It is said that
the De Armitt Company has held back
| in wages at the three mines about 500
/ 600 The company claims that the rea-
/ son the output Of coal has been so
small with so many men at work was
| because many of the men simply went
| into the mines to keep their jobs. not
working any more than they had to.
Now, the company says, they are all
working hard.
There were no evictions. Superin-
tendent De Armitt said that he had
no reason for hurrying the men out
of their homes, and would give them
| a few days more of grace
PREMATURE REPORT.