The herald., 1897-08-23
OBDURATE
RATCHFORD
May Greatly Prolong the
Coal Strike
HE DECLINES TO ARBITRATE
UNLESS ALL STATES INVOLVED
|! COME IN
The Strikers Are Laying Plans to
Mine Coal in Competition With
the Operators
HE DECLINES TO ARBITRATE
UNLESS ALL STATES INVOLVED
/! COME IN
Associated Press Special Wire.

Associated Press Special Wire.
PITTSBURG, Aug. 22.-Developments
in the coal mining situation in the Pitts
usual interest this week. Both sides
were apparently at rest today, but it was
developed that at the conference tomor-
row there will probably be disruption.
By many it is believed that M D. Ratch-
ford, the national president Of the miners
organization, will not be present. 1t is
claimed he will stick to his original as
sertion that he will not agree to arbitrate
unless all the states involved are repre-
sented. 1t is a we'll known fact that the
operators of other states will not join
local operators in movement for arbi-
ira ton. If Ratchford is obdurate the
conference WILDE useless. This, in brief,
Is the situation land it is apparent that
both sides are making preparations for
movements that will be to their benefit.
From a reliable source it was learned that
If the operators start mines on the lines
laid down, other mines will also be
started by the miners. 1t is proposed to
select operators who are not represented
at the conference and who are friendly
tc the miners They will be given per-
mission to mine coal at the rate demand
ed and the coal stored. By this means
it is expected to get fund from the union
miners that happen to be working, and
with this fund pay the expenses Of
fight against imported labor The
miners officials are making arrange
ments to have fund on hand to send
foreign labor home just as fast as it ar
rives. With mines operated under the
jurisdiction of the labor leaders, and with
operators more friendly who reap a
profit, they hope to have an available
and large fund. This plan has been out
lined and will be submitted to the ma
tional officials If the conference proves
failure
Religious services were held in the
several camps today and all were largely
attended. but Notwithstanding the relg-
ious air pervading the camps, conflict
between workers and strikers took place
in the afternoon, during which three
strikers were badly hurt, but none are
in a serious condition. Five of the men
who are working for the New York and
Cleveland Gas Coal company this after
noon went to William Seamon's boarding
fouse, about half mile from Oak Hill
tipple, where number of strikers are
ouartered, for the purpose of persuading
the strikers to go to work. The meeting
was a stormy one, and resulted in An
tonic Podowsky being shot near the
heart, the bullet going nearly through his
body. Gonronng Pimold was shot in the
eye and Baptiste Dalmesie was cut with
razor. The injured men are all strik-
ers. This was the only disturbance re-
corded at the camps today. The agrees
sive workmen escaped before the men
in the Oak Hill camp were aware of the
fight.
The report that Sandy Creek camp
will be abandoned is denied by the Strik-
ers today, and they say that the men Will
| be sent there from Plum Creek and Tur-
tie Creek
In addition to the general missionary
work for the week the leaders have de-
cided to direct especial work to the pre-
vention Of operations at the Sandy
Creek mine. The strikers say they will
resume their marching tactics in the
morning, claiming that under the ruling
of Judge Goff in the West Virginia
cases they are given this right.
Samuel Dearmitt says tonight that
$50 to 175 men will be at work in the
Plum Creek mine tomorrow.
1t is announced that the New York
and Cleveland Gas Coal company will
make eight more convictions tomorrow
from eight different company houses 1t
is not probable there will be any trouble.
The sheriff does not say tonight what
course he will pursue in the morning.
should marching begin, but thinks he Is
ready to meet every emergency.
Sympathy for the strikers by the
farmers and citizens Is not diminishing
in. the least Today there were about
700 visitors to the camp from Sandy
Creek, many farmers who came bringing
-wagonloads of provisions. Citizens of
New Texas sent word that they had
plenty of food for the men, and wanted
them to call on them when they needed.
FINANCIAL AID
PHILADELPHIA. Aug. 22.-The
United Labor league, by vote Of I'll to
! S. today passed resolution voting finan-
cial and moral support to the coal mine
strikers.
SOME MORAL SUPPORT
DENVER, Col. Aug. 22.-The Denver
Trade and Labor assembly today adopted
sensational resolutions regarding the
great coal miners strike. After cnustic
reference to the growing tendency to-
ward government by injunction" and
the "usurpation of the public highways
by the hirelngs Of capital" the resolu-
tions say:
Resolved, That we believe the time
is near at hand when peaceful methods
on the part of outraged labor must give
place to forcible resistance of armed
capital, even though badged with the
venal and corrupt authority of pluto
cratic Judges.
Resolved, That we herewith place
ourselves on record as being to the last
extreme against tolerating the present
or any other aHsmpt to abridge any of
the rights. privileges and liberties of
free men,"
The resolutions then pledge the as