The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-07-10
THE CONFERENCE.
Leaders of Different Organizations
Decided To Aid til. Miners.

Decided To Aid the Miners.
pittsburg, Pa, July 9.-'rhe greatest
gathering OF labor leaders that ever as
sembled In this country during National
strike was held in this city tonight TO de-
via, means TO assist the miners In their
contest for increased wages. The confer
enoe was called suddenly, but the officials
responding represented nearly every
branch OF organized labor IN the United
States,
Those present we're Captain Gompcrs,
president OF the American Federation OF
Labor, NJ. ID. Ratchford, National presi-
dent OF the Mine Workers of America; NJ.
Nj. Garland, president of the Amalgamated
Association OF Iron and Steel Workers;
Stephen Madden secretary of the Ainalga-
mated association; j. Nj Hughes first vice
president OF the Federation Of Metal
| Trades; NJ. j. Cannahan. National secro-
tary of the Journeymeu Plumbers associa-
ton: Nj. G. Carrick, president of the
Brotherhood of Painters and Decorators
L. X. Thomas. president of the National
| Pattern Makers League; w. u. Mahon,
president of the Amalgmatod Association
Of Street Railway Employees, Patrick Do
lap district president of the United Mine
Workers OF America. and w. NJ. Warner
district secretary OF the United Mine
Workers
The conference was fixed for 10 O'Clock
this morning at the Monongahela house
but owing to the detention OF President
Ratchford. who missed connection and did
not reach Ptishurg until after i o'clock
this evening, II WAS nearly outlook before
the meeting convened
The press committee then gave ont the
following statement. in which is incor-
porated they say, all that was done al the
conference. The manifesto follows;
after an Informal discussion, speeches
were made by Messrs. Ratchford, Dolau
and Warner IN regard TO the situation oil
the movement. and 1t was deinonsliatcd
that The suspension was practically general
in the competitive bituminous coal district,
extending also 10 Kentucky and Tenn, Slce.
excepting q few points in West Virginia
IL was realized that the situation In West
Virginia REQUIRES attention in order trait
the suspension should become absolutely
general and success is assured. With thai
object IN view, action was recommended by
President Gompers of the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor and II was determined
upon 10 overcome this feature OF the con-
test IL was also determined that every
effort be made on the part Of those present
to secure the corporation and practical ara
of organized labor for the struggling NM
crs. All the circumstances Nairlntcu lhc
firm conviction that the miners viii ulti-
mately achieve victory and to this end the
aid of labor and the sympathetic public Is
invoked. Conscious of the great intcrosn
which the public has in contest so wide
spread as that OF the miners. II bives us
great satisfaction to state that the miners
have not been and are not now opposed TO
arbitration. We. therefore, urge and advise
that a conference be he by representa-
iives of the miners and o, orators With the
view of arriving at 5, 'cment OF the
present susponsicn.'
Notwithstanding the positive announce
mont by the committee that the statement
furnished the press covered all the pro-
cecdings of the conference, II Is known
that nm organized effort to secure a general
suspension of mining In West virginia was
decided upon. After thorough canvass of
the situation II was unanimously agreed
that the West Virginia miners held the key
to the situation and without their united
support the success OF the general move
mont would be greatly jeopnrd2od,
In furtherauce OF this determination tho
officials present pledged themselves to-
scnd into this field full quota VI the best
organizers in their several associations
After adjournment In response 10 the
question as to whether per cent asacss-
Inent of all organized labor as contemplat-
ed would be made. President Dolan OF the
pittsburg district said he thought such ar
tion would eventually be taken He would
not admit, however that the matter OF as
sessinent had been considered at tonight's
conference or that the question of a general
sympathetic strike had been discussed