The record-union., 1897-07-14
Possibility That They May Lead to a
Termination of the Trouble.
Developments of a Definite Char
the West Virginia Coal Fields
Asserted by a Mine Workers
Union Official That the Miners
VIII Join the Strikers.

PITTSBURG, July 13.-There is a
lull in the miners strike in this district,
attributed to the fact that nearly
every mine in the district is idle. To
keep up the enthusiasm and prevent
the strikers from becoming lukewarm
in the cause, however the officials
arranged for a series of meetings in
different sections every day This
morning a large meeting was held at
Snowden, on the Wheeling division,
and the men We're unanimous to stand
firm for the 69-cent rate. The miners
of this division fear that the company
will soon begin evictions from their
houses and intimate that if this is at
tempted there will be trouble.
News reached the miners headquar-
ters this afternoon that the diggers in
the Canal, Warner and Morgan mines,
Beaver County, had thrown down their
picks and joined the general strike.
The strike has also spread to Mercer
County. Five mines are idle in that
region to-day.
National President Ratchford of the
United Mine Workers is expected in
Pittsburg tonight or tomorrow, and
viii meet the Arbitration Commission
ers.
There is a possibility that the joint
arbitration conference may yet lead to
the termination Of the miners strike on
the basis of "the true uniformity agree
ment'' proposed by President De Ar
mitt of the New York and Cleveland
Gas Coal Company, but which failed
for the reason that the necessary nine
ty per cent. of operators in this dis
trict could not be secured.
Two sessions Of the arbitration board
were held to-day, representatives from
the States of Pennsylvania, Ohio, West
Virginia and Illinois being present At
the afternoon session President De Ar
mitt appeared before the board and
told of the conditions which exist from
his point of View.
Mr. De Armitt points to the fact that
/ his men we're working to-day, when al
most every other mine in the district
was idle. He said that he fully in
tended to pay his men the district price
whenever the operators will meet his
terms. If thorough uniformity was
secured. however, it would involve the
| interest of the other bituminous States
He said that ultimately there would
have to be chain Of uniformity agree
| ments in all the States, which would
cost much money and require consid-
/ cradle time to accomplish. He prom
ised the board all assistance in his
power in securing a settlement upon the
! basis proposed, but said under no con-
sideration would he treat with the
United Mine Workers.
President Doian and Secretary War
ner Of the Mine Workers Association
were before the committee this evening
and recited their grievances. They dis
puted much that Mr.. De Armitt had
said and questioned his sincerity at
this time.
SITUATION VERY GRAVE.
CLEVELAND, July - - Within
definite character are expected to take
place in the West Virginia coal fields.
a leading operator received a long dis
tance telephone message at 10 O'Clock
this morning, stating that nine organ
izers had just left Pittsburg for the
West Virginia coal fields A person
who occupies a high official position in
the Mine Workers Union was at the
Pittsburg end of the telephone
You may look for some thing start
| forty-eight hours he said Reliable
advices which I have received this
morning convince me that the West
Virginia miners will come out All they
wait for is little urging from the
union. I am free to confess to you that
while ] expected many men would
come out, never hoped for such a
complete and overwhelming victory as
| this"
The foregoing message was repeated
to reporter who was standing at hand
by the operator who received it. When
that point is reached that the coal mine
| operators refuse TO talk for publica-
ton" the situation is grave, indeed The
operators now urge upon their inter-
| viewers that under no circumstance
must their names be used in connec-
ton with the information they have
supplied. A leading operator made a
plain statement, startling statement,
in fact, this morning, but insisted that
| his name must not be used
rs there not some part of your
! statement Which L may accredit to
you?" asked the reporter
mo. You see, if 1 talked for publi-
cation, l would have to say to you
| just bne Opposite OF Wndt L nave said.
| You appreciate that there are many
reasons why 1 would not want my
name to appear as admitting all these
| facts
Since Saturday the coal strike has
assumed very grave aspect, but a
full realization of the change did not
reach Cleveland operators and dealers
until to-day. Excepting a few opera
| tors who had some inside information.
they were disposed to speak lightly of
| the matter, and loudly declare that
| there was enough on hand-rnore than
enough coal to supply the country. re-
gardless of the outcome of the strike
/ To-day all this seeming or pretended
| confidence has disappeared. Several
operators Went to Pittsburg yesterday
to attend the voluntary conference of
the State Arbitrators. One of these,
whose knowledge of the premises is
above question, said to-day:
THE situation is very grave, and
anticipate some very startling develop
ments within the next forty-eight
| hours I believe the West Virginia