Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1897-07-24
PRESIDENT RATCHFORD'S
BULLETIN TO MINERS
Announces Positively That No Local
Settlement viii Be Author
lied by Him.
SURE OF AN ULTIMATE VICTORY
Operators In West virginia TO itaiso
the Rate and Try TO Hoiu
Their Men---Foreign
Coal a Factor.

Columbus. O., July 17.-President
potrhford and Secretary Pearse have
issued an official bulletin, No. i, to the
miners, it being a review OF the sltua-
ton. The bulletin says:
"Our fight for living wages now COW
ers. i'm whole or in part, eight states OF
the union. 1t is a general suspension,
and no local settlements Will be an
thorized or recognized.
'"Ihe second week and the elghth
day of our suspension brings with III
greater assurance of ultimate victory
than any previous day. Our forces are
increasing every hour, u determine
lion is unfinching and our actions are
law abiding in every particular.
THE states and number OF miners
involved are as follows:
Western Pennsylvania-Fully 10000
miners have joined us for living wages,
which makes the suspension mo
unanimous in every mine in the dis
trict. Work still continues in the CEN
trail field, but steps will be taken in a
few days looking TO a suspension which
it is believed will be successful.
"Ohio-rwenty-eight thousand min
prs have laid down their tools in their
demand for living wages, making the
suspension general, excepting a Few
local mines.
"Indiana-Advices received report
every mine in this state suspended.
Eight thousand joined the march for
living wages.
"Illinois-Reports from this state are
80 the effect that suspension is prac-
tically general and that miners are de.
tcrmincd to continue the march until
living wages are secured.
West Nirginia-About 5000 miners
have Joined the movement. Reports
from various sections of the state con-
firm the belief that miners will sus-
pend. Eight organizers nave left this
city for West Virginia. Supply of coal
from that field will be cut off in a very,
few days.
"Kentucky and Tennessee - Four
thousand miners have suspended.
"Kansas-Miners all at work, but
will hold a convention on Saturday. 1t
is expected hat they will also sus-
pend.
"Alabama-Reports indicate that
1000 miners or more have suspended.
"Thc supply of coal is fast becoming
exhausted at the various distributing
points, and in fact a coal famine is on
hand"
In a letter received by President
Ratchford from L. +. Sargent, grand
master of the brotherhood of Locomo-
tive Firemen, Mr.. Sargent offers his
personal assistance in any
deemed best by Mr.. Ratchford, and
also suggests a plan for the member
ship of the organization, numbering
3d. 900, to assist the strikers financially.
West Virginia Operators Action.
Cincinnati, July 1j.-An important
counter movement against the organ
izers of the United Mine Workers now
in West Virginia was begun here by u
conference of five operators in that
state. They determined to give their
miners an advance of II cents n ton
above the present rates and to make
a corresponding increase in the price
of coal at the mines. They have re-
turned TO ask all other operators in
the state Ia do the same. 1t is the
opinion of coal men here that their ac-
ton will he approved and followed by
the other operators in the state. The
price of coal at the mines is raised to
$1.25 per ton. .
Foreign Coal Becomes "a Factor.
Foreign coal is beginning TO cut
quite a figure in the Pittsburg market
and the miners officials recognize it's
importance. They are, for the time
being satisfied with the small amount
IF coal that is being dug in the Pitts
burg district and from now on will
look after what they call outside en-
croachments.
Much coal is being sold in the Pitts
burg market from the Clearfield and
Cambria districts. 1t is true that it
does not come to Pittsburg, but goes
TO fiji the contracts made at the great
lakes. The miners are working ut
good wages, and it is claimed are will
ing to come ont if the matter is prop
arly brought before them. President
Ratchford says that so far as the Pitts
burg district proper is concerned, he
has every reason to be satisfied with
the situation. The local officers are
manifesting much interest in the sit
nation in West Virginia.
The pittShurg operators claim that
they We're offered coal from all sec
tions of the country, and had TO refuse
a number Of propositions. The pre-
vailing price was $50 Il ton, no change
being noted from the quotations of
the day previous. The miners Off
cials succeeded in keeping the men en-
ployed at the Keeling, Eureka and
Waverly mines from going to work
yesterday.
According to the miners officials The,
store operators have closed the ON
PAM stores all over the district, and
supplies to the men have been cut off.
This leaves the miners dependent up
on the fruits of forage and charity.
In one or two agricultural commune
ties where the miners are on strike
the farmers have invited the strikers
20 organize committees and send them
with a wagon into the surrounding
country to solicit than coniscate
supplies. The strikers are taking full
advantage of the invitations.
Quiet reigned yesterday throughout
the Pittsburg district, a truce seeming
to 'prevail pending the outcome of the
peace negotiations.
WIN Take Time.
Pittsburg, July TO- True Uniform
ity may win eventually in the Pitts
burg district but it will take time. 1t
is expected it will require several
weeks to secure the signatures of the
operators to the proposition. In the
meantime the miners officials will
make efforts to force the strike to a
successful issue.
A Big Advance.
Cleveland, July 16.-The Baltimore
and Ohio railroad has advanced freight
rates on West Virginia coal to As cents
a ton. The effect of this will be to eX-
clude West Virginia coal from compe-
tition, and it is openly admitted that
such was the purpose of the advance
in order to further the settlement OF
he strike.
Hanna Will Help.
Washington, July 16.-In reply to
the request of the state arbitration
commissioners for his assistance in
settling the coal strike. Mark Hanna
has sent word hat he would be glad to
cooperate and that his representative
is on the ground ready to act.
Situation i'm West Virginia.
Wheeling, w. Va, July 16.-No min
ers have returned TO work. The num-
Der of idle miners is comparatively