The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-07-30
STRIKE SITUATION.
NO AGREEMENT YET REACHED BE
TWEEN OPERATORS AND MINERS.

MANY Union ChiefB Present at the
Wheeling Neeting-R atchford States the
Miners Case.
Wheeling. w. Va, July 2S.-The con-
ference of labor leaders called last week
by President M. ID. Ratchford, Of the
United Mine Workers and approved by
President Gompers, Of the American
Federation of Labor, Of which the min
ers organization is part. met here yes
terday. The purpose of the conference
was to aid in speedy and successful
termination Of the great coal strike. Ses-
sions of the conference were held during
the day and last night. but until the
night session was held little had been
accomplished.
Labor Leaders Who Were Present.
The following labor leaders were pres
emit: Samuel Gompers, or the American
Federation of Labor; Frank Morrison,
secretary Of the federation; M. d. Ratch-
ford, president of the United Mine Work
ers of America; w. G. Pears, secretary
of the miners orgnization; p. II. Nor
rissey, grand master Of the Brotherhood
of Railway Trainmen; w. d. Mahon,
president of the Street Railway union;
James r. Sovereign, president OF the
Knights of Labor; James II. Sullivan,
president of the International Associa-
ton Of Decorators and Painters; j. d.
Lennon, president of the Custom Tail
ers' union; j. +. Mulholland, president
Of the International Union of Bicycle
Workers; Jesse Johnson, president of
the International Printing Pressmen's
union; Robert Askew, secretary of the
Northern Mineral Mine Workers; Will
lam Mckinney, president of the Paint
ers' union; j. w. Rea, president Of the
Painters ard Decorators union; G.. W.
Perkins, president Of the International
Tobacco Workers union; Patrick Dolan,
president Of the Pittsburg district min
ers; Nj. M. Garland president of the
Amalgamated Association of Iron and
Steel Workers; G. II. wilkins, assistant
grand chief Of the Order Of Railway
Conductors; +. p. Sargent, grand mas
ter Of the Brotherhood of Railroad Fire
men; Val Fitzpatrick, third vice presi-
dent of the Brotherhood of Railway
Trainmen; T. l.. Lewis, secretary Of the
Ohio Miners organizations e. V. Debs
former head of the American Railway
union; J. Kunzeler, secretary of the
American Flint Glass Workers union;
w. II. Riley, president of the National
Stogie Workers league; M +. Carrick
secretary of the painters organization;
p. j. Counaghan, secretary and treasur-
er of the National Plumbers and Gas
Filters union.
Ratchford States the Situation.
At the first session of the conference
Samuel Gompers was chosen to preside
and Secretary Morrison, also Of the fed
Grafton, was made secretary. Gompers
then called upon the miners representa-
tives to detail the situation. They were
also asked to suggest in what manner
the other labor organizations could give
their aid. Ratchford addressed the con-
ference at some length, stating fully the
causes that had led to the suspension of
work in the bituminous regions and
presenting the condition of the miners
who are taking part in the strike. He
did not propose anything in the way of
recommendations as to what the organ
lied labor of the country should do in
aid Of the strike. preferring that impor-
tant subject to be left to the considera-
ton Of the conference.
To Devise "a Plan of Campaign.
In the course of remarks it was
brought out that the miners believe
that the hardest fight should be made
at the works of the Cleveland and Pitts
burg Coal company Ode Armitt's mines)
in the Pittsburg district This was con-
sidered fully as important a point as
the West Virginia district. At this point
q recess was taken. Upon reassembling
the conference again took up the strike
question, and there were more speeches.
The conference was held behind closed
doors. At it's close it was given out
that a committee of five had been ap-
pointed to devise plan for aiding the
miners. kilograms pledging financial
aid for the miners were received from
nearly all of the, heads of organiza-
lions who had been unable to attend on
account of the short notice. The con-
ference has not yet come to the point of
believing 1t necessary to ask firemen,
conductors and brakemen to refuse to
haul West Virginia coal.
At the night session of the conference
the report of the special committee to de-
wise ways and means to aid the miners
was made. The report is an appeal
to the country to assist the miners.