Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1897-07-17
STRIKE MAY EXTEND.
Efforts to Draw Other Pennsylvania
Miners Into It.
DE ARMITTs MEN STILL AT,WoRK

The Attempts to, Induce Them to Join
the Strikers Ranks Have Tins Far
Proved Futile-West Virginia Min
ers Join the Strike.
Pittsburg, July 15.-The miners strike
will likely be extended eastward with
in the next "a hours. The leaders have
arranged for a mass meeting at the
Penn Gas Coal company, on the Penn
sylvania railroad. A number of speak
ers from different organizations will
deliver addresses, and a strong effort
will be made to induce the miners to
throw down their tools. It is said the
employees of this company are ready
to join the strike, and that successful
agitation of the strike question among
them may result in a temporary ter
mination of work among the men of
the Westmoreland Gas Coal company
and other pits in that section.
President Dolan and Secretary War
ner OF the mine workers, spent the
day at the local headquarters receiv-
ing reports from scouts sent out to
watch points where attempts would
likely be made by the operators to
start their plants. A miner from Stick
Ell Hollow, where the mines of the
Washington Coal and Coke company
are located, reported that the men who
nave been working steadily through
out the strike would surely lay down
their tools today and refuse to go in
again until the trouble is over This
man said they were "drummed"
when they came out of the mine every
evening. From expressions he heard
from many of them, he said he was
sure the drumming" would have it's
effect. At the office of the company
1t was stated that all the men were at
work and no interference was expect
ed. The company, however, had taken
the precaution to engage a number of
deputies, and will increase the force
II necessary. A representative said
they would protect their men and he
believed they would all remain at
work
The strikers succeeded in preventing
resumption at two mines yesterday.
They were the Keeling and Castle
Shannon pits. The men had agreed
to return to work at the SO cent rate,
but were induced to change their minds
and promised to remain out until the
strikers won. Another miner brought
the information that the workers in the
Equitable mine, one of the cooperative
kind, which has been working right
through, have Joined the strike Great
pressure was brought to bear upon
them, as the pit was the only one in
that vicinity which was working.
The miners officials, it is said, are
getting ready for move of some sort
ON the New York and Cleveland Gas
Coal company's men in the near future
The fact that DeArmitt's men have so
far given no intimation of joining the
strike is a thorn in the side of the
miners who are out They look anxious
ly for news from the Sandy Creek re-
glon, and seem greatly disappointed
when they hear nothing is in sight
The operators are Vexed at the miners
for not succeeding in getting the work
men of the New York and Cleveland
Gas Coal company out. Many of the
operators are willing to remain closed
down if w. P. DeArmitts men can be
induced to lay down their picks.
Developments from the West Vir-
ginia field are awaited here with great
interest. The reports of the organizers
sent from this city and Ohio will carry
a great deal of weight with the miners
of the Pittsburg district, for they all
recognize that unless the supply of
coal from that state can be stopped
a serious handicap to their ultimate
success will be presented
The cheering announcement is made
this morning that W. H. DeArmitt,
president of the New York and CIeve-
land Gas Coal company, whose 1900
men have been constantly at work,
and without whose assistance the sue
cess of the movement would have been
jeopardiZed, has agreed to Join with
the other operators in plan for the
settlement of the strike on true uni
formity basis. This result has been
brought about through the efforts Of
the members of the joint arbitration
commission, who have been working
assiduously to this end since meeting
President DeArmitt Wednesday. Yes
terday afternoon the commission
called upon Mr.. DeArmitt and sub
mitted their plan, to which he agreed.
Then the commission met the miners
officials, and the proposition also re-
Ceiyed their approval