The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-08-28
WILL TAKE ACTION.
Operators Arc Preparing to Import
Norkmea for the Mines.
RAILROADS SHARING THE EXPENSE.
Dolan Believes They Mil Matt Until
After the St. Louis Meeting.
RATCHFORD HAS A STATEMENT
He Replies 10 the Operators and
Recalls the Threats to Use
Calling GUNS.
RAILROADS SHARING THE EXPENSE.
RATcHf0RD HAS STATEMENT

Pittsburg. August 27.--The coal oper-
ators OF the Pittsburg district have not
been asleep during the past few days. The
impression in certain circles that there
would be no attempt made to start the
mines seems to have been established for
a purpose and that purpose was to divert
the attention OF the miners officials. 1t
has been definitely decided to start several
mines along the Wheeling division OF the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad. The pre-
liminaries were all completed tonight and
decisive move can be expected almost
any time.
It was given out that the Cleveland OPP
orators had gone to their homes for the
ostensible purpose OF awaiting the result
OF the St Louis convention. Some OF them
went but others did not, those remaining
behind being members Of the newly APP
pointed committee, whose duty It is TO per-
feet arrangements for starting some Of
the mines with the object in view OF break
ing the strike.
One of the first moves was TO get In
touch with the railroad companies. Tho
officials OF the railroads at once agreed to
co operate with the operators in bringing
about II possible. an era OF activity in the
coal producing industry of the Pittsburg
district 1t was made very apparent that
the railroads were losing a large amount
Of business and they were the fellow suf-
ferers with the coal operators. The ques-
ton of expense OF getting imported labor
into the district was discussed. and the
railroad companies agreed to share their
portion OF the outlay.
After this agreement was made the work
of hiring imported labor was taken charge
OF by special subcommittee. Just when
they will be brought into the distric. could
not be learned. ore OF the principal rea-
sons for selecting the Wheeling division
of the Baltimore and Ohio is the fact that
men can be brought in and unloaded In
close proximity to the pit mouths. An
other reason advanced is the fact that the
mines along this road have been supply
ing coal for the locomotives OF the railroad,
and II coal is not furnished United States
mail trains could not be moved and tho
machinery of the National government will
be interfered with. Protection would be
forthcoming from the government. with
no cost imposed on the operators. as the
former would be in duty bound to protect
ana maintain its property at Its own ex-
pense. These plans have all been COM
pleted and The work is well under way.
President Dolan shook bis head doubt
fully when the question OF starting mp
tho mines with imported men was broached
Yesterday Il don't believe they VIII
make such an attempt" Re said. II am
OF the opinion they win wait until after
the convention at st. Louis. Just now It
would he big undertaking TO start the
mines in this district with imported men.
Yet they may be sincere in their inten-
TONS
Operator Floresheim is trying to get his
miners TO 20 to work at the Os-eent rate,
and says they would do so. but that they
fear personal violence. Other operators
are willing to pay 50 cents. but are not
going TO make an effort TO start until the
eff ri ia