The Mena weekly star., 1897-07-14
THE COAL STRIKE.
Commissioners Will Try to Bring oper.
 ators and Miners to an Agreement.
THE SITUATION VERY GRAVE
Some Startling Developments Expected soon-West Virginia and Iowa Min CTS May Strike Trouble Like
 ly at Bellalre. 0.


 tration commissioners representing five of the states in which the miners are now striking, will make strong effort to-day to bring the operators and miners to an understanding that will result in arbitrating or consolidating their differences. The Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania commissioners, who gathered yesterday and held many quiet conferences, were reinforced to- day by those from Illinois and West Virginia. Invitations have been sent to the leading coal operators and miners leaders asking them to consult with the peace makers, and every possible effort will be made to secure a full discus sion. However, persons who are we'll acquainted with the warning factions that exist among the coal operators here, say they will be hard to get to- gether in this move, although the ex- treme gravity of the outlook may have the desired effect. Those in touch with the situation say that the attempt at cancellation will simply reopen the old discussion of President De Armitt's position on the necessity of price differential to compete with the com pany stores.
 Cleveland Operators Worried.
 CLEyELASD, O., July 14.-A leading operator received long distance tele- phone message this morning stating that nine organizers had just left Pitts burgh for West Virginia coal fields, and expressed the belief that within AS hours the West Virginia miners would strike. Several operators went to Pittsburgh yesterday to attend the voluntary conference of the state ar bitrators. One of these operators said to-day: "The situation is very grave and I anticipate some very startling de- velopments within the next AS hours. believe West Virginia miners will come out and that will make the tie-up practically complete, for the strikers will then concentrate all their efforts on the De Armitt men. A small amount of coal is now coming fn@m the mines along the Pennsylvania main line, and from the coke regions, but it is incomparatively insignificant quantities 1 think it will be shut off entirely very soon. From what l could learn yesterday at Pittsburgh l do not hesitate to say that in my belief the railroads will re- fuse to haul West Virginia and De Armitt mines coal. The engineers and trainmen are regarding the situa- ton with lowering brows, P. NJ. Ar thurs statement to the contrary not withstanding. The supply of coal on hand is very short, and 1 look for an other advance in price shortly. l do not think the supply will hold out more than u week longer"
 Iowa Miners May Strike.
 DEs MONIES, la, July 14.-There are 5000 miners in the state, and until coal dealers began shipping into Illinois to fill orders where Illinois miners are striking, little attention was paid to the strike, as the Iowa miners are not well organized. Their sympathies are with the eastern miners, however, and at several meetings held in the principal centers, the opinion was expressed that it was time to take ac- ton to help the eastern miners by cut ting off the coal shipped east. The miners in the central part of the state are more anxious to strike than those about Des Moines- All the Iowa min CTS have had their wages cut from time to time, until they now receive from 50 to 65 cents per ton.
 Trouble Likely.
 BELLAIRE, O., July 14-The miners at Schick's shaft refused to strike yes terday. Strikers are gathering in force and trouble may occur.