Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-07-08
SEEM TO HAVE THE hest OF THE
STRIKE SO PAR
VERY CONFIDENT OF VICTORY.
FEW MEN REMAIN AT WORK IN THE
PITTSBURG DISTRICT.
Success Depends Upon bringing About
a TOtnI SuspenSiOn-West Nir-
-fnia Fronting by the
Strike - Deputies to
Protect Miners.

Pittsburg Pa July 7.-FoTty-eight hours
after the Inauguration of the great coal
miners strike a comparison of statements
from both sides engaged in the contest
shows favorable results for the digSers-
Discounting the miners official announce
ments by the operators opinions. there
seems no question that the workmen have
scored a decided advantage In this district.
and IL is believed that. as the Pittsburg
district goes, 50 goes the country
Conservative estimates place the number
of miners now striking in this district from
1900 TO 1900 men. an increase Of about
8 200 over Yesterdays record. This leaves
but from 1900 to $3.50 men still working.
The key 10 the entire situation, from
present appearances. lies in the success
or defeat Of the strikers in securing the
cooperation Of the men now working for
the New York and Cleveland Gas Coal
Company. Without these men, the strike
can hardly succeed, because they viii be
able, in measure. to supply the demand
long enough 10 tide over tbs present en-
barrassment. Patrick Dolan, president Of
the Pittsburg district miners, is confident
that before the present week closes. he will
have succeeded in getting al OF these men
TO join the ranks of the strikers. and when
this result Is effected. the battle will be
practically won.
The operators are just as confident Of
success as the miners are. and tonight is
sued statement claiming q large acces-
sion of men in different parts of the dis
trict and heavier shipping list than
usual One thing slightly in favor Of the
operators is the freeing of navigation in
the Monongahela river. which went into ef-
feet to-day. Ten million bushels of coal.
which have been stocked in the pools above
here awaiting this event wilf be brought
TO this harbor at once and be available for
the present demand. o.
Notwithstanding the advantages claimed
for the operators. the concensus of opinion
appears to be in favor of the miners, in
asmuch as the operators, can only hope for
temporary relief with their present facll-,
tiles. and the miners officials seem 10 be
in fair way to efectuafiy cripple even
these. by constantly adding TO their num-.
Der from the ranks of those remaining at
work -
When the miners headquarters were Wis
tied this morning. the officials were In
high glee over the result accomplished to-
day. From all reports 7 have received = 2
said President Dolan, there are not more
than 1900 miners at work in the Pittsburg
district to-day. From reliable lieutenants
IN the field, reports received say that more
than s. per cent of the aggregate number
of the men in the district have Joined in
the movement for higher wages. The best
news received was that the men working
under contract at the Panhandle mines Of
NJ. A. Hanna & Co. had qtiit work; and
also that Robbins first POOL miners we're
idle and no coal was loaded, at the Tntnes
of the Pittsburg and Chicago Gas Coal
Company, at Snowden- ana Gastonville
The strike is greater SUCCESS than the
one OF 1924. If we can get the men at the
New York and Cleveland Coal Gas Com
pany out we can settle this fight within
week, and believe we can do it,
Leading operators I'm the district profess
10 take an entirely different zFiew of the
situation. They admit that the miners
have succeeded in getting more men to
strike than they expected. but say they
are not worrying over the outlook and that
the strike will not last a week None of
them are pressed for coal. and have offers
from operators whose miners have not
Joined in the movement to help them out
Ex-senator Camden. of West Virginia. has
plenty OF coal. and is now trying to lease
cars TO take IL TO the market. Pittsburg
operators whose mines are idle nave re-
quests for their individual cars, one op-
orator sent 100 oars TO West Virginia yes
terday.
The strike has already benefited the
West Virginia operators and IL Il con-
tiHues for few weeks they will be enabled
70 dispose Of a large quantity of coal at
higher prices.
Wheeling, W. Va. July 7-specfaIs 70 +he
Intelligencer from all the coal districts in
West Virginia report that the miners are
all at work and that the operators are pre-
pairing TO fll orders growing out of the
demand occasioned by The strike elsewhere.
Chief Mine Inspector Paul reports that
there is no probability that West Virginia
miners will join in the strike, and United
Mine WORKERS organizer who was in the
hanaWha and New river fields admitted
to-day in Charleston that the task of per-
suading the men TO join the strike was
hopeless and that he would give it up.