The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-08-13
IAUGHlIN MEN REFUSE

To Join the strike, Though 100 Men
Tried TO Bring Them Out Yesterday,
About two hundred miners from Bar
ton, Wheeling Creek and Gaylord
marched to the Laughlln mills In Mar
tins Ferry yesterday and failed to ac-
complish anything. The miners from
Wheeling Creek and Barton marched
from Bridgeport through Martins Fer
ry to the tin mill, These miners num-
bered about one hundred and seventy,
and were Joined by thirty miners from
up the river and the entire number
then marched to an orchard on the farm
OF william Green. Laughlln miner,
near the Laughlin coal bank. which Is
high up on the hill. The striking min
ers arrived at point near the bank
about noon without anything to eat,
and they sent out soliciting committees
and these committees secured two wag-
on loads OF food and there was plen-
ty TO make one good meal. Most of the
men had done much marching and We're
tired and many OF them slept during the
afternoon.
No violence was offered and every
thing passed off quietly, the strikers
simply wanting to induce the Laughlln
mill miners to Join them. The Laughln
officials conferred with the miners and
explained the situation fully and the
miners who were seen declined to quit
work giving their reasons In the
evening q committee of three from tho
Laughlin held a conference with COM
mittee Of three from the striking min
eri, the last named committee consist
Ing OF one miner each from Maple Hill,
Barton and Wheeling Creek. The strlk-
ers stated that II the Laughln and 9TH
er mill miners would come out this
would have much influence and help to
win the strike. The mill committee
gave It's reasons for declining 10 strike
and offered to assist the striking min.
ers In several ways. The principal OBJ
lection offered By the LauEhlin"rhncrs
Is that they have o. contract with the
company for one year and In this agree
to forfeit a certain percentage OF their
earnings II they strike within one year
md to strike now would mean the for
fixture Of about $50 by each Of the
Laughln miners.
They said they were willing to strike
September /, when their contract for
the year viii expire. but rather than 20
out now and surrender no much money
they would gladly give 10 per cent OF
their earnings to aid the strikers In
their battle for hiuhor wages and the
management to do az much for the
strikers, and besides this the mill pco-
pie offered To send an official along
with q committee Of the strikers ana
assist this committee IN taking sub
BcrlptlOn among the employees, II was
also stated that the Conl mined here was
uot for general consumption, whs not
sold and every piece Of coal mined was
used In the mill and that they did not
wiRh to shut down the mill, which Is
rubbed with business.
The Mill miners positively declined to
come out at present under the circum-
stances named, aud the striking miners
Withdrew with the understanding that
the matter would bp laid before Socro-
tary ThomnH H. Lowis and thnt they
VIII await His decision before making
another effort 10 Induce the LnughlIn
miners 10 lay down their tools faqt
nlgit several Of the Airltora stated that
should Mr. Lewis refuse to accent tho
terms proposed they viii orVnnIEo "a
crowd NJ 5000 0r I 900 mon with one mr.
two brass bands aud march 10 ,he bnnlt
ANA Try 10 pgrRIndo the miners IN como
out. When two miners Wero nakod
when they would do this they roplicd
ION Saturday" meaning tomorrow.