New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-07-13
A COAL FAMINE PREDICTED.
NOT MORE THAN TWO WEEKS SUPPLY
SAID TO BE IN SIGHT.

STRIKERS WIN A VICTORY IN THE MoNoNGAHELA
vALr.Ey-AN EFFORT AT ARBITRATION OF
THE WAGES DISPUTE TO BE MADE.
Pittsburg. July 12.-There are strong ndca-
tions Of a coal famine within the next ten days.
1t Is said by conservative operators that the
marketable supply at present. which Is placed
at 100000 bushels. would only meet the de-
mands Of the market for about month under
ordinary conditions. With the scarcity OF coal
already prevailing al the lake ports. 1t Ia said
that the supply viii not last over two weeks at
the longest. In anticipation OF such condition
the coal opera tors are not anxious to fill orders
and are holding out for the advance in price
that is expected to result. The only source OF
supply is from the river mines, as the railroads
are conflscatipg for their own use all the coal
ready for shipment along their lines.
This order issued last week and with the
exception OF permitting the railroad operators
10 fill orders for coaling vessels at the lake ports
no coal Is allowed to leave the district With
the supply limited to the Monongahela district
the prospect Of famine Is declared to be GER
tainty There has been a marked increase In
the price Of coal within the last few days. and
Il Is said that 1O-cent rate per bushel In boat
load lots will be reached within the present
week. The retail dealers as well as the opera
tors In general concede that a famine is immi-
nent and look for prices 20 advance beyond the
limit reached in the general strike Of the miners
in 1894
Beyond the strengthening OF the miners lines
along the river there little change In the
strike situation to-day. The ironclad contracts
which were in force at several mines In the
Monongahela Valley were swept out OF ex-
istence and the strike was made general in
the fourth pool. The miners along the river are
rejoicing over this victory. The only mine re-
ported In operation in the region is the Equita-
ble at Webster. 1t is a stock company, COM
prising about seventy-ivc stockholders and they
are mining their coal. The men In the
Stc,tel Hollow mines Of the Washington Coal
Company also came out to-day making the
suspension complete in this district except at
the mines OF the New-York and Cleveland Gas
Coal Company. where about twelve hundred
men are working.
The hotheads advising drastic measures
They have been kept in check far, but there
is no telling when the fever will break out, and
a concerted move on Sandy and Plum Creek
be made.
The greatest interest is now manifested in the
scheme 70 arbtrate the Strike question. Labor
Commissioners and official arbitrators of the
States affected are modifying in this city. All
the States, with the exception of Kentucky and
Tennessee, where the strike is on will be rep
resented in the conferences which are to he
held here in the next few days. Peace ennis
saries called at President De Armitts office to-
day, and it is said that he told them it would
be at least day or two before he could give
definite answer to the course of action he
proposed to follow. If the operators can be
brought into line on the conference idea no OBJ
stacles will be interposed by The miners. Presi-
dent Ra.chford informed the operators a few
days ago that he was ready for conference at
any time. This afternoon he tdegraphed to the
arbitrators that the miners officials would meet
with them tomorrow.