The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-07-08
GoMPERs IN SYMPATHY.
Tax of 10 Cents a Week on Members
of the Federation Proposed to
Aid Miners

Columbus, o., July Sin speaking of
the strike President Ratchford says:
There is no longer any doubt that
an ultimate victory for the miners is
assured" Mr.. Ratchford would not
give figures, but the reports are favor
able. The Cincinnati Central Labor
council, in the matter of relief, has rec
commended that the entire mem berShip
of the American Federation of Labor
be assessed 10 cents per man per week
This will amount to $50, 600. Assurances
of support from Mr. Gompers of the
American Federation of Labor justif1es
the belief. Mr.. Ratchford said that he
would be glad to carry out their wishes.
indications point to the fact that rail
road employees are taking a deep inter-
est in the trouble" said he, "and that
may lead to their refusal to handle non
union coal The shipment of coal
from the West Virginia field to the lake
market has never exceeded per cent
of the whole stock in any one season.
We recognize that it is a difficult mat
ter to displace any coal to which con-
sumers have been accustomed. The
remedy for this lies in the hands of
some of those who complain most bit
terly. 1t is a deplorable spectacle to
witness coal from West Virginia finding
it's way to the lake, while the mines
between it and the West Virginia fields
are idle. The managers of the rail-
roads are giving a rate to West Vir-
ginia shippers which enables them to
market at a less price than their own
mines.
They preferred to continue it. We
have met many of the mine owners
personally. We have called them to-
the national capital and have gone
down on our knees to bring influence
to bear that might avert this calamity,
but it was all eff no use.
Little attention was given to our ap
peals, and hence we resort to the only
means at our command-SuSpensiO
Il notice from the press that steps
are being taken to operate certain min
ing properties in Ohio which are now in
the hands of receivers and under the
protection of United States marshals.
This is a sad commentary upon the
freedom of American citizens who are
is hardly over until cruel laws by which
working people are ground down are
put in force. When the former black
slave refused to obey he was whipped.
When the white slave of today refuses
to obey, under the protection of law he
is shot. 1t is learned here that state
officials closely identified with the min
ing industry in West Virginia are CIV
ing themselves undue concern by the
publication of reports intended to oper-
ate againS the miners. 1 would sug
geSt to them that if they attempt to en-
tighten the public, they report the sit
uation as they find it, rather than give
out vanished statements I am in
possession of reliable information that
the Morpngahela Coal and Coke COM
pany at Flemington, w. Va, is tied UP
and has advertised for 8, 500 miners.
am also assured on information equally
as reliable that there is not coal enough
in Chicago to bridge them over six days.
Notices from other great coal centers
all indicate that a coal famine is near
at hand, that railroad circles are being
disturbed all of which is most favora-
BILE toward the securing of living wages
for the miners. All that is necessary
now is for the miners everywhere to
avail themselves of this grand oppor-
tupitV.'