The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-07-08
HIS HOPES ARE HIGH
PRESIDENT RAT0HFoRD HURER
THAN EVER OF SUCCESS.


Favorable Reports Received -aWha
Other Labor Organizations arc Doing
In the Way of Substantial Sympathy
Soreness Over the Prospect of West Vir-
gInia Staying DISAGREEMENT Inter.
ference Observation-Disclosures From the
Pittsburg District.
Columbus, O., July I'm speaking OF
the strike today President -Ratchford
said:
There is no longer any doubt that an
ultimate victory for the miners Is as
Bured.'
Mr. Ratchford would not give figures
today, but the reports are favorable. The
Cincinnati Central Labor Council in
the matter of relief has recommended
that the entire membership OF the
American Federation Of Labor be assess
ed 10 cents per man per week. This will
abount TO $4,000. Assurances Of sup
port from Gompers, Of the American
Federation Of Labor, of sympathy Justl-
fies the belief, Mr.. Ratchford said, that
he will De glad TO carry out their wish
eS.
Indications point to the fact that rail-
road employees are taking deep inter
est in the trouble, and that may lead
to their refusal to handle non-union
coal The shipment Of coal from the
West Virginia field 10 the lake market
has never exceeded 6 per cent Of the
whole stock in any one season. We rec
ogn.ze that it is a difficult matter TO dis
place any coal TO which consumers be-
come accustomed. The remedy for this
lies in the hands of some of those VINO
complain most bitterly. Il is deplor-
able spectacle to witness coal from West
Virginia finding its way 10 the lake,
while the mines between it and the West
Virginia fields are idle. The managers
OF the railroads are giving a rate TO
West Virginia shippers which enables
them to enter the market at less price
than at their own mines.
I'VE have met many of the mine own
ers personally. We have visited the ma
tional capital and n a measure gone
down upon our knees 10 bring influence
10 bear that might avert this calamity
but il was all OF no use. Little attention
was given to our appeals and hence
resort TO the only means at our COM
mand-suspension.
II notice from the press that steps are
being taken to operate certain mining
properties in Ohio which are now in the
hands of receivers and under the pro-
lection Of United States marshals. This
is a sad commentary upon the freedom
of American citizens who are striving
for bread. independence day is hardly
over until cruel laws by which working
people are ground down are put in
force. When the former black slave re-
fused to obey he was whipped. When
the white slave of today refuses to obey,
under the sanction of law he is shot. 1t
is learned here that state officials close
ly identified with the mining industry
In West Virginia are giving themselves
undue concern by the publication of re-
ports intended to operate against the
miners. l would suggest to them that
II they attempt to enlighten the public 70
report the situation as they find ii, ralh-
er than give out vanished statements.
alton that there is not coal enough in
Chicago to bridge them over six days.
Notices from other great centers all In
dictate a coal famine is near at hand;
that railroad circles are being disturbed,
ell of which is most favorable toward
the securing OF living wages fer the mi
ners. All that is necessary now is for
the miners everywhere to avail them |
selves Of this grand opportunity.
w. P. Rend and President Ratchford
OF the Miners union. held a private con-
ference today. Mr.. Ratchford declined
TO give its purport.
IN THE PITTSBURG DISTRICT.
Pittsburg, Pa, July T.-Reports receiv- |
ed from the river mines in the Pittsburg
district indicate that there was almost |
a total suspension of work in the PIT to- |
day and that the strike, so far as the |
river miners were concerned. was gen.
eral.
A dispatch from Monongahela City |
Gays: 'The bitter feeling between the |
river and railroad miners has always |
interfered when a strike was Inaugural |
ted heretofore and prevented good re-
suits. has been lost sight of and orga-
nized, unorganized and imported miners |
have Joined in one faith and for one |
purpose. Today there are about fifty |
men at work and 1000 idle in the Monon- |
gahela valley.
The few men al work are in the Cha |
moni mine, operated by the Tide Coal |
company. and they are working out |