Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-07-10

gamated Association; J. NJ. Hughes, nrst
vice-president OF the Federation OF Metai
Trades; NJ. J. Counahan. national secre-
tary OF the Journeymen PlumDe,s asSo, ,se
brotherhood of Painters and Decorators
ID. X. Thomas, president OF the Nauona'
Pattern-Makers' League; w. b. Manon'
president OF the Amalgamated Associa-
ton of Street Railway Employees; fa-
trick Doian. district president OF the
United Mine-Workers OF America, anu
w NJ. Warner, district secretary OF the
United Workers.
Conscious of the great interest whicn
the public has I'm a contest so widespread
as the miners strik. Ii gives us great
satisfaction to know hat the mipers are
not opposed 10 arbitrs ion. We, therefore,
urge and advise that conference be nelu
by representatives of the miners ana
operators with view to arriving at a
settlement OF the present suspension
Notwithstanding the positive announce
ment BY the committee that the statement
furnished the press covered all the pro-
ceedings Of the conference. Il is known
that an organized effort 10 secure gene
raj suspension of mining in West Virginia
was decided upon. After thorough can
yass Of the situation. II was UNANIMOUSLY
agreed that the West Virginia mines heid
the key TO the situation, and without
their united support the success OF me
general movement would be greaty
jeopardized.
WEST VIRGINIA CAMPAIGN.
In furtherance of this determination,
the officials present pledged themselves
TO send into this field full quota Oh ,he
best organizers in their several associa-
tions
question whether a per cent. assessment
on all organized labor. as contemplateu,
would be made President Doan, or the
Pittsburg District, said he thought such
action would eventually be taken re
would not admit however that tre mat
ter of assessment had been considered az
to-night's conference. or that the iues-
ton of a general sympathetic strike had
been discussed.
The session was secret, and IL was al
most midnight before il was over. Inc
Press ommittee-Messrs. Gompers.
Ratchford. and Counahan-then gave out
the following statement, I'm when was
Incorporated they said, all that was
done at the conference. The MANIFESTO
follows: ,,,, ~oor,
sentatIons were made by 'Messrs. Ratch-
ford. Dolan and Warner in regard 10
the situation OF the movement anu ~
was demonstrated that the suspension was
practically general In the competitive bi-
luminous coal district. extending also
to Kentucky and Tennessee, and ex-
cepting a few points in West Virginia
WEST VIRGINIA NECESSARY.
1t was realized that the situation In
West Virginia required attention, III
order that the suspension should become
absolutely general. and success be as
sured. With that object in view. action
was recommended by President Gompers.
of the American Federation OF Labor,
and II was determined TO overcome this
feature of the contest 1t was also de-
termined that every effort be made on
the part of those present TO secure the
cooperation and practical aid OF or
ganized labor for the struggling miners.
All the circumstances warrant the hrm
conviction that the miners will ultimate
ly achieve victory. and TO this end the
is invoked.