Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-08-28
CoAL-opERATORs NOT ASLEEP.
Nine-WorIx TO BE started-Lnbor
from the south.

PITTSBURG. PA, August 2T.-The coal
operators Of the Pittsburg District nave
not been asleep during the past few days.
The impression in certain circles that
there would be no attempt made 10 start
the mines seems 10 have been established
for a purpose, and that purpose was TO
divert the attention Of the miners OIL
Gals. 1t has been definitely decided TO
start several mines along the wheeling
Division of the Baltimore and Ohio. The
preliminaries were all completed tonight
and a decisive move can be expected at
almost any time. IL was given out thdI
the Cleveland operators had gone TO their
homes for the ostensible purpose OF await
ing the result Of the St. Louis convention
Some of them went, but DINERS ulu ~. 81;
Those remaining behind were members Oh
the newly appointed committee, Whose
duty it is TO perfect arrangements IoI
starting some OF the mines, ana III 'he
end break the strike. J..
one OF the first moves was TO get IN
touch with the railroad companies. Inc
ofticials OF the railroads at once agreed 10
cooperate with the operators In bringing
about, if possible, an era OF dCtINlny az
the coal-producing industry or the RUS
burg District II was made very dppd-
rent that the railroads were ioslhS iaIse
amount of business. and that they were
Sellow-sufferers with the coal operators.
The question OF the expense OF gettihs
imported labor into the district was uls,
cussed and the railroad companies az Ecu ecu
to share their portion Of the outlay. After
this agreement was made, the "oth Vi
| hiring imported labor was taken charge
| of bv a special subcommittee. just wnsh
these labOrers viii be DFoushl mo 'h'
district could not be learned
one of the PRINCIPAL reasons for selec, =
ing the Wheeling Division OF the Balti-
more and Ohio is the tact thal me Iheii
can be brought in and unloaded IN close
proximity to the pit mouths. tney GU ~
! also be brought to the district from tns
south by way OF the Wheeling road, ana
| would rot have to be transported through
very much of the Pittsburg Distrlct. r..
Another reason advanced Is the iac'
| that the mines along TINS roau nav ~. 49,
| supplying coal for the locomotives OF lh'
| railroad and IL the coal were not turilsh-
| the United States mail trains Woulu ~,
| he nm and the wheels OF the Natiohal
| Government would be interfereu WIN
| Protection would be forthcoming III ease
of opposition on the part OF tne go Tro'
| tect its property. Such plans nave Az
| been completed and the work Is well uh
| der wsy. ~, 10, ,,ber
| president Dolan SHOOK his head wnen
! the question OF the starting OF inc NIT
| hv The onerators was preached yesterday
| II don't believe they will make such 1n
| atternpt." he said. at will be big un
| dertaking to start the mines IN thls uis'
| trict with imported men Yet they may
| be sincere in their intentions.
RATCHFORD REPLIES.
| COLUMBUS. o.. August presioe IN
| Rstchford. of the United Mine-W orhe ~
| to-day issued statement repylns ~ ~ ~
| operators OF the Pittsburg Dlstic.. n'
| denies that the miners are opposed 70 ar,
bitration. He says they favor 1t, but nc
on the basis proposed by the opera'o or
| He declares that II the operators WI
| meet them or fair terms there ga" ~
| no trouble I'm reaching settlement