The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1897-07-03
THE STRIKE
OF MINERS
A General Suspension Of Work Ordered
For July 4th.
A DEMAND FOR LIVING WAGES
In Some Places seventy-hve Cents a Day
is Above the Average Of Wages.
Strike Leaders Declare That
$40, 1000 Men Are In
volved.

Columbus, July IA general strike OF
miners of the United Mine Workers Of
America has been ordered for July a
by the national executive board, whose
headquarters is in this city. and also by
the district presidents, as the result Of
a meeting held here June a. 25 and &C.
The officers here say 375, 900 men are
involved as proposed strikers SO far
as anything can be learned here from
officials, the call for the Pittsburg
meeting OF miners today Is to decide
how the strike is to be conducted in
that direction. They have to consider
plans to take care of the women and
children during the strike. President
Ratchford says this is the best time to
settle the question of wages, as during
the summer the men can make use Of
their little garden plots in obtaining
subsistence The needs of clothing are
not as great as in winter.
The proposed scale is intended by the
miners to make work for miners prof
liable to them in the Pittsburg district
and elsewhere. Pittsburg, as claimed.
is paying 81 cents per ton and Ohio 81.
To make the differential what the Ohio
operators claim it ought to be they
threaten to reduce Ohio miners to As
cents per ton, or nine cents below
Pittsburg. The miners propose, If pos
sible to raise Pittsburg prices so as to
prevent a reduction in Ohio to 45 cents
and the possibility of even a further
reduction here in case Pittsburg should
keep on lowering as Ohio lowered to
maintain the differential of nine cents
District President Patrick Dolan, of
the miners association, in an interview
at Pittsburg regarding the strike cir
cular, said: TT will remain with the
convention of miners today to decide
whether a strike shall be inaugurated
In this district or not. The circular
contains only a recommendation Of the
officials Of the United Mine Workers.
e 1t is decided to strike l will do all
In my power to make it general"
A number Of Pittsburg operators
were seen, but none appeared to be
worrying over the y liability of a
strike. They are of the opinion that
a strike at this time can not be made
general. Some say they viii pay the
advance, and can do so and make
money, provided the majority of the
mines are closed. The miners leaders
believe. however, that If the conven-
tion orders a strike they will be able
to bring out all the miners, whether
they are working under contract or not
The miners Of Spring Valley, Ills.
have voted unanimously to obey the
order of the national executive board
Of the United Mine Workers of Amer
lea to mine no more coal after July 4
of ha
wages rise and decline when the wages
Of the miners are affected, have also
been asked to come out. This means
that all the trappers and even the
cagers, who have charge of the hoist
ing of cars, viii also come out. This
puts a serious aspect upon the situa-
tion, for if the mines are allowed tc
remain idle without the constant at
tention of the trappers 1t would not
take long for them to cave. The miner.
Of that city are very determined. They
have had their wages reduced nearlN
so per cent in the past four years. am
20 cents a day is above the average
The men went into the mines this
morning. fixed up their rooms and tool
out their tools. and say they viii re-
main out until the operators conceGt
their demands, All kinds of business
In the city viii be more or less de-
moralized.
The calling of a general strike has
caused much agitation among the
miners at Brazil, Ind. There is nc
organization there. and official infor-
nation cannot be secured. The leading
miners believe the workmen there will
join in the strike, Notwithstanding they
are In q destitute condition and un.
prepared to stand a strike A mas.
meeting is called for todav, and tn,
state president of the United Mine
Workers is expected to be present.
At Terre Haute. Ind, President
Knight, of District No. II, United Mine
| Workers Of America. officially con.
firms the news of a miners strike. His
estimate, however, of the number OF
men who will be involved is about 100,
/ 600. Mr. Knight says the object of the
| strike is to clear out the markets and
enable the operators TO pay living
/ wages to their men. He declares it is
not war on operators, and the miners
do not regard IT, They admit, accord
| Ing to Mr. Knight, that the operators
are not responsible for the present ag-
gravated condition OF affairs. but are
/ like the men they employ, the victims
| Of overproduction and under cOnsump-
| ton. Mr.. Knight says that while the
mners may not be especially hopeful as
/ to the outcome Of the strkike, they
| feel sure they have nothing to lose and
trust they may gain something II IS
/ believed the block coal miners will
also join the strike.
A special from Birmingham, Ala
states that the miners at Brookside
Brazil Cardiff, Blossburg. Blocton
Adger Johns and Sumter coal mines
are Idle, having refused to accept a re-
duction. Three hundred coke ovens at
Johns have been shut down and notice
given that work is indefinitely post
poned. In Birmingham and Gate CITY
two rolling mills have closed awaitina
the signing Of the scale of the Anal.
gamated Association Of Iron and stee
! Workers
California Fruit