New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-07-06
MINERS HOLD MEETINGS.
OUTLOOK FOR THE BIG STRIKE OF COAL.
WORKERS.
NOT SO ROSY OR so HOPEFUL AS THE MEN
MIGHT wIsH-TALKs WITH OFFICIALS.

NOT SO ROSY OR so HOPEFUL As THE MEN
MIGHT w1sH-rALKs WITH OFFICIALS
Pttsburg July 5.-The great struggle Of the coal
miners was begun throughout the Pittsburg DIS
trct to-day. but 1t will be impossible to tell any
thing abort the true situation before tomorrow, ds
this Is genera, holiday. and work "a suspended IN
ali the mines OF the district. This was Day OF
mass meetings. BY preconcerted arrangement OF
the District Executive Board OF the United Mine
Workers. meetings held In nearly every mln-
Ing settlement that represented at Saturday )
convention in this city. and the miners were I'M
plored not TO fater in the great struggle that mas
begun What effect the meetings will have cannot
be determined until Tuesday morning. When II Is
learned just how many men refuse 10 go to work
then the magnitude OF the strike will manifest Itself
Much doubt rs expressed 10 the action or the
Pittsburg and Chicago miners on the wheeling d.
vision OF the Baltimore and Ohio NJ. A. Hanna &
Co.'S miners the Pan Handle. who are working
al the 60-cent rate under an ironcad contract and
tho New-York and Cleveland miners at Turtle
Creek, Plum Creek and Sandy Creek The miners
officials say these men will strike. and the opera
tors say they will not. In speaking OF the strike.
President Dolan said
The coming week will be busy one. have
every reason TO believe that. with the exception Of
few mines, the suspension VIII be general. Our
men realize that this is the fight of their lives. and
from the expressions of determination hear on all
sides have every reason to believe the strike will
be successful.
How long will It last you ask That is a dif
hcult question 10 answer But OF thing you
can rest assured. We In good shape TO stay
out all summer. BY good shape I mean that we
nave warm weather ana prospective big demand
Iol axe trade coal In sight which makes the time
mmTh eTh NOR opportune than In winter
or so many industries being shut down there will
be little demand for coal. Ii IL generally known,
but the supply OF coal for the manufactures In the
fttsDurg district Is but drop In the bucket when
compared with the lake trade, which supplies the
markets where coal mines are practically un-
known
The general suspension. to those in n position to
know. presents some dis 'ouragng features. The
Iast winter mas been severe the mining craft.
business has been dull, and In addition the lowest
rate ever paid In the district prevailed for the
little work that done. Women and children
have been sufferers nigh unto starvation and many
OF them nave been wards of the county With spring
the conditions were a little improved, and during
the last month many mines have been running con-
tinuously What little has been earned will be used
In paying debts contracted during the reign semi
stdVdtion
Columbus. Ohio. July 5.-National officers Of the
mines are at headquarters to catch stray bulletins
whlch may come in. President Ratchford Is conf
dent west Virginia miners Will fall into line in a
DAY or two. They are demoralized and disorgan-
ized continued Mr. Ratchford. "and when they
see the magnitude OF the strike they will catch the
contagion and quit As to the general situation
Mr.. Ratchford said: THE miners of the different
localities meet to-day not TO decide whether TO
striKe or not but 10 arrange for the management OF
the strike In their respective localities We the
National oficers. must wait on the district presi-
dents. and the latter must wait on the meetings
Yesterday and to-day not being working days the
strike really begins tomorrow. IL will be several
days before reports will come in