Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-07-15

PITTSBURGH, Pa. July 12.-Yesterday
marked the beginning Of the second
week Of the coal miners strike, and al
ready it gives promise Of being one Of
the greatest wage struggles in the his
tory of this country. Eight days ago
the coal operators in this district and
the miners themselves little dreamed
that within one short week such an era
of general suspension could be
wrought as now exists in the bitumi-
nous mining industry. Then the
many coal tipples that dot the Monon-
gahela, Youghiogheny, Allegheny and
Peters Creek valleys and the valleys Of
Toms and Millers run were open and
turning out thousands on thousands Of
tons of the best coal that enters into
the competitive markets of the world
Now, all is changed The vast caverns
are like so many grave yards. On the
hillsides, basking in the shade, there
is an army Of $4,000 unemployed who
are anxiously awaiting for more to join
the troops Of idlers. On nearly every
railroad track leading to the
mine there stand empty cars, appar-
emily anxious to be loaded that their
burdens may be carried to the ports
along the lakes. The success that has
attended the movement has greatly
elated the miners and during the next
few days every effort will be made to
bring out the men in the few mines
that are still working. This will be
difficult task, but they express conf
dence in their ability to make the sus-
pension complete before the week is 4S
hours old. This morning 1000 miners
who have been working in the Spring
field district refused to return to work.
This action was decided upon yester-
day afternoon at delegate meeting,
held three miles from the city,
attended by over 100 delegates and 500
other mine workers.
From the best information Obtaina-
BILE, the Pittsburgh operators are in no
hurry to have the difficulty adjusted.
So many of them had stocks on rail
road sidings which they held for an
advance. Much of this was disposed
Of Saturday at good profit One
prominent operator said that 1t would
take another week to determine the
exact state of the market, and by that
time a general cleaning up will have
taken place. All interested will be
ready to begin business on new basis
and probably much higher price.
The new features of the situation
yesterday were the arrival of the Ohio
and Indiana state boards of arbitra-
tion, the meeting last night of the
United Labor league of western Penn
,ylvania and the report that move
nent was on foot to import new men
10 take the places Of the strikers at
the Pittsburgh & Chicago companys
mines. At the United Labor league
meeting So out of r. labor organiza-
lions We're represented. Resolutions
we're unanimously adopted pledging
financial and moral support to the
miners and calling upon all the trades
inions in western Pennsylvania to aid
md assist in every possible manner in
the interests of the strikers.
Ihe league also decided to send out
circular to all trades unions request
ng an immediate assessment for the
benefit of the miners. Previous to ad-
ournment telegram was received
rom President Simon Burns, who is
n Washington, pledging the financial
md moral support OF the Window
lass Workers association.
TENNESSEE MINERS DESTITUTE.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn, July IA
pecial to the Times from Jellico, Tenn,
avs that there is great restitution
.mong the miners in that region many
# them having large families and not
moving where the next meal is COM
ng from. Some of the miners have
,ardens and they have been able to
make the truck raised on these do them
or the absolute necessities The relief
committee recently sent abroad to get
lelp has returned and reported that
hey had met with poor success Com
nttees are to be sent to the east Ten
lessee districts in the hope that aid
nay be had while it is sorely needed.
The miners and operators have had no
since May and there does not
'eem to be the slightest prospect for
IN amicable adjustment of the wage
question. The men at these mines I
nave had little work for nearly two I
Years, and as consequence they have
laid up for rainy day.
H. Tall, M, |