The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-08-14
A SWEEPING
INJUNCTION.
Trouble Seems to be at Hand in the
Big Strike.
MORE sTARTLING DEVELOP
MENTS-THE MINERS DENY
THAT THEY ARE VIOLATING THE
LAW BY THEIR MARCHES.
BLOODSHED MAY BE IMMINENT.
IF THE COURTS DECIDE AGAINST
THE STRIKERS THE MILITIA
MAY BE CALLED OUT.

MAY BE CALLED OUT.
Pittsburg, Aug. 13.-Sweeping and
far-reaching injunctions now figure in
the coal miners strike in the pittsburg
district. The developments of to day tend
to make the situation IL strange one and
it appears the crisis is now at hand The
strikers have demonstrated that their rs.
semblages, marches and missionary work
have materially affected the output of the
New York and Cleveland Gas Coal Com
pany, while Mt the same time public SYM
pathy has been enlisted in their cause
The sheriff's proclamation issued two
weeks ago restraining the men from as
sembling and marching has been dead
letter and the marches have been contin-
ued daily. No disturbances. of any kind
have occurred, the officials of the miners
contriving through the whole time to
keep their men within peaceful bounds.
The preliminary injunction issued to-
day by Judges Collier and Stowe now
brings the matter to the county courts
for settlement. The case will be heard
on Monday n;orning and the decision is
looked forward to with much interest.
The miners and their officials claim
that they are keeping within the law and
have the right to assemble in peace and
demonstrate to the world that they are
being wroDged by II rate of wages that
keep them constantly at the point of
starvation; also that they have right to
use their presence and influence among
men who are initiating against their in
terests by continuing ut work The New
York and Cleveland Gas Coal Company,
Oh the other hand, assert that the
marches and assemblages are unlawful
and menace to their employees, many of
whom, they say, are willing to work pro-
vided the strikers remain away.
Looking at the matter from this stand
point, the company made it's radical move
tn day i'll the courts to bring about con-
dition under which the company can
operate is mines. The Injunction against
the United Mine Workers was filed in the
county court about noon by counsel for
the New York and Cleveland Gas Coal
Company. The defendants named are the
United Mine Workers of America, Pat.
rick Dolan, president; Edward Mckay,
vice-president; William Warner, secretary
and treasurer, and others. The plaintiff
company sets forth that iU is n CORPORA
ton under the laws of PENNSYLVANIA.
With a capital of $1,000 600 invested in
coal lands of Pennsylvania. Three of
their mines, employing 1000 men, are at
Plum Creek. The bill then recites the
conditions prevailing at their mines since
the strike began and alleges that the
strikers have paid no attention to the
sherif's proclamation and that the ives
of miners and the property of the COM
pany are in danger.
Judge Collier granted preliminary in
junction restraining disorder and enjoin-
ing the defendants from assembling
marching or encamping in proximity to
the mines and houses of the miners for
the purpose. by intimidation, menace 3,
threats and opprobrious Words of pre-
venting the miners of the .plaintiff from
working. 1t further restraints the defend
ants from inducing or compelling any
employe or miner to quit work. A
hearing was fixed for August 49, The in
junction is re garded as the most sweepinp
yet issued.
lffhe strikers continue their marches in
the MOI ning,as they now say they will.
in defiance of the injnction, capias will be
Issued for the offenders on the charge of
contempt of court. Should the Injunction
be enforced the strikers camps around
the DE Armitt mines will soon be extinct
The strikers, though excited over the turn
of events, are in no wise disheartened
Developments Of Canonsburg are being
""eNhOu Cloociy. l. ne dVOWeQ intention
OF the strikers to march TO morrow morn
ing despite Judge McJlvaine's Injunction
is expected to result in bloodshed or the
filling of the county prisons with the
nrrnstt Il miners.
The injunction secured by the New
York and Gle leland Gas Coal Company
was read to President Dolan by n deputy
TINS afternoon at miners Headquarters.
Mr.. .Dolan scarcely stopped his writing
for more than second, and when the
reading was finished acknowledged 1t
by merely saying "Thank YOU"
He says the Injunction will not change
the miners campaign in the least En-
PRESIDENT Cameron Miller came into head
quarters shortly after this incident. He
said the miners will continue, as hereto
fore. using all lawful means possible to
keep miners from working during the
struggle for better wages.
The court officials intend to try to fore
stall the customary march in the m orn-
ing by going to the camps tonight and
reading the injunction to the campers. If
this is done the crisis will he certainly
reached about 4 o'clock in the mLrning.
as the strikers Fare determined to- test
their rights to carry out their usual pro-
gramme.
1t is said that when the deputies do
start to enforce the injunction they will
he compelled to arrest every man for con-
tempt, and that as fast as the men are
placed in Jail others will be brought into
camp to take their places, and thus the
deputies will be kept busy making arrests
until the iai!s are overcrowded.
The strikers claim that this movement
of the company is only another plan for
getting the militia on the pround Iyhan