The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-07-06
'EhE STRIKING MINERS.
The Toilers Implored Not to Falter
in Their Struggle. ..4...
THE OUTCOME. pRoBLEMAT1oAL

Operators Assert That the Suspension
/. win Not be General, While Mino
Leaders Assert the Contrary-De-
piorabic Condition OF tho strikers.
Pittsburg, July 6.-The great strug-
bic Of the coal miners was inaugurated
throughout Pittsburg district yestcr-
day, but 1t Is as yet impossible to tell
anything about the true situation, as
yesterday was general holiday, and
work was suspended In all the mines
OF the district. Yesterday was q day
of mass meetings. BY a preconcerted
arrangement of the district executive
board Of the United Mine Workers
meetings were held In nearly every
mining settlement that was represent
ed at Saturdays convention In this
city, and the miners were implored not
TO faiter. In the great struggle that has
begun. What effect the meetings will
have cannot yet be determined. When
Il Is learned Just how many men refuse
TO 60 TO work, then the magnitude Of
the strike will manifest itself.
Much doubt Is expressed as to the
action of the miners on the Wheeling
division Of the Baltimore & Ohio, the
N. A. Hanna G Co.'s miners on the
Panhandle. who are working at the co
cent rate under an ironclad contract,
and the New York e Cleveland miners
at Turtle Greek, Plum Creek and Sandy
Creek. The miners officials claim these
men will strike, and the operators say
they will not. In speaking of the
strike. President Dolan said: ~
II have every reason to believe that,
with the exception of very few mines.
the suspension will be general. Our
men realize that this Is tho fight Of
their lives. and from the expressions
Of determination I hear on all sides
have every reason to believe the strike
will be successful
How long will 1t last, you ask. That
Is a pretty difficult question to answer.
But Of one thing you can be assured.
We. are, In good shape to stay out all
summer by good shape mean that
we have warm weather and a prospec-
tive big demand for lake trade coal in
sight. which makes the time much
"There is an erroneous impression
that by reason Of so many industries
being shut down. there will be little
demand for coal. 1t is not generally
known. but the supply of coal for the
manufactures in the Pittsburs district
ls hut drop in the bucket when com
pared with the lake trade. which sup
piles the markets where coal mines are
practically unknown"
The general suspension, to those in a
condition to know, presents some very
discouraging features. The past VIM
Ter has been severe on the mining
craft. Business has been very dull,
and In addition the lowest rate ever
paid in the district prevailed for the
little work that was done. Women
and children have been sufferers nigh
unto starvation, ana many OF them
have been wards of the county. With
spring the conditions were little I'M
proved. and during the past month
many mines have been running con-
tnuously. What little has been earned
Will be used in paying debts contract
ed during the reign Of semi starvation.
After the struggles through which they
have so recently passed. 1t is doubt
ful whether many will have the cour-
16dE0 renew them, On the other hand,
in6ny assert, with a. determination
born of despair. that at the prices Of
Tered they cannot earn enough to fur
hisif tken with the strength necessary
for their labors. ~ y
The leaders hope to convince the
mi haf Nv &c la
sion being general victory is likely to
follow 1t has been argued that the
public 1s in favor of the miners being
paid higher price. and that general
support will be forthcoming.
AT NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS.
President Ratchrord Says Air De-
ponds on the Ptttsburg District.
Columbus. O., July 6, - President
Ratchford, of the United Mine Work
+, lers spent yesterday at headquarters,
but not many reports were received
from the various mining districts
throughout the country as to the prog
TESS Of the strike. President Ratchford
said it would REQUIRE several days to
receive full information on this point,
rs the district presidents would neces-
earily have to have time to communl-
cate with the numerous locals before
reporting definitely to national head
quarters as to the completeness of the
suspension. Yesterday being observed
In many places as a national holiday
will naturally retard the reports to
some extent. Before the end of the
present week. however, the national
pfncers will have the information at
hand as to the exact situation at all the
mines In the country. If there should
be any mines in operation, the officials
will know the location, number OF men
employed, and whether or not they arc
members of the miners organizations.
The information which the national
officers have at hand is of q general
nature. and Is 10 the effect that the
miners have generally suspended work
and the strike promises to be q sue
cess.
The success Of the whole movement
seems to devolve upon the men In the
flttsburg district. and judging from
the latest advices received from that
neld the miners there propose to do
their part So far as can be learned
the operators In both the pittsburg
and Ohio districts do not intend to
put forth any effort to start their
mines. but have concluded TO quietly
close down and await developments.
At least II will require several days for
the operators to determine upon what
course TO pursue.
President Ratchford said: 1.-THE Sue
cess Of tho movement naturally de-
pends upon the unanimity with which
the miners respond. We are ready and
willing to lead the movement, but the
efforts Of the miners themselves is the
real force ard we cannot fail to sue
coed II they play their part
President Ratchford said he had been
astonished at the great number Of
kilograms received from operators re-
Questing permission to operate their
mines by paying the price demanded
by the miners. These requests could