The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-07-05

PITTSBURGH, Pa. July 4.-The coal
miners strike VIII be on tomorrow. The
success OF the struggle for higher wages
in Ave states depends on the miners in
the Pittsburgh district. II they fail to
refrain from working, the movement
will be u failure.
Fully one hundred mines were repre-
sented at the miners convention on Sat-
urday, by seventy-hve delegates. This
is larger attendance than at any con-
vention since the great strike OF 1894.
Many more miners came, but having no
credentials, could not gain admittance
to the convention. The resolution
adopted was strong enough for the
emergency.
A resolution was also adopted, re-
questing Governor Hastings to sign the
weighing and coal commission bills by
the legislature and now before him.
One of the significant points about the
convention Saturday was the fact that
no representatives were present from
the mines where ironclad contracts and
signed agreements exist, These mines
Include the first pool OF p. L. Robbins &
Co.; Borland mine OF the Pan Handle
Coal Company, snowden & GastonyIlle
mines OF the Pittsburgh & Chicago Coal
Company. and tho Oak Hill, Plum
Greek and Sandy Creek mines of the
New York & Cleveland Gas Coal Com
pany. These employ almost 5000 men
and the indications are that II the men
at one OF these mines refuse to quit, all
the dlEgers at the others will act ac-
cordingly.
A strong effort Is being made to get
the cooperation OF the river miners In
the coming fight. II they work they
can cut quite a figure In supplying coal
as the fuel for local points can oil be
supplied BY water routes.
The operators are making no effort to
conclllate the miners, Not an operator
can be found who VIII not say that the
miners are entitled to what they de-
mand, sixty-nine cents ton. No ef-
fort will be made TO operate the mines
unless It should be the river mines,
hence no trouble Is anticipated.
Great apprehension Is felt as to what
course the vast number OF foreigners
will take In the strike. Many OF these
sneak no English. and care less for the
land OF their adoption. They do not con-
form to the customs OF the American
speaking miner and the latter has very
little influence over him.
one of the points made by the opera
tors Is that more mining companies
have gone into the hands OF the sheriff
this year than during any year In the
history OF the trnde. '"TNhere are TOO
many mines" said Patrick Dolan, mot
too many miners. II IS the surplus OF
operators that causes such suffering
and low wages"
The officials Of the United Mine Wor-
kers, OF the Pittsburgh district, held
meeting to-day and heard reports from
various parts OF the district. Each OF
these indicated that tho men would
quit work. The question of securing
sustenanee for the vast army OF idle
men Is the most serious question con-
fronting the officials. The organization
has no money In Its treasury. The
miners have been unable 10 save any
thing, and only those who have little
garden patches will be able TO live in:
dependenily during the cessation of
work.
West Virginia has begun. The West
Virginia operators are hiring miners as
fast aS they apply for work. Those
who wish immunity from trouble seek
safety by flight into West Virginia,
where the miners Will work unmofested.
scores of small mines In Beaver. Mer-
Ger, Lawrence, Cambria and other
counties which have been practically
idle, will resume operations In full to
supply coal to factories and shops in
their districts. Taking the Cannelton
coal field IN Beaver county, into con-
slderahon, the Tompson's Run, in Law
renee county, and the numerous mines
In Mercer county, there will be no shut
down OF industries in these counties.
During the strike OF ls9i,all these mines
closed down.