The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-07-12

PPTTSBURG. July ft.-Today marks
the beginning Of the second week Of Ins
coal strike. and already IL gives promise
oi being one OF the greatest wake stratC-
giles OF this country. Eight days ago the
coal operators IN this district, and the
miners themselves. little drea Ned that
within one short week such an era s.f
general suspension could se wroush, as
now exists in the hItumlnous mining In
dust-y. Then the mouths of the many
coal tipplers that dot the Monongs heia.
Noughiogheny. Allegheny and Peters
creek valleys and the valleys of Toms
and Miliers run were open aud turning
out thousands on thousands of tons ~
coal for the competitive markets OF tho
world.
Now all is changed. The vast cayerus
are like so many grayeyarsis. On nearly
every railroad track leading to the mines
there stand empty cars. apparently ann
ious To be loaded thai their burdens may
be carried tn the ports along the lakes
The success that has attended the
movement has greatly eiated the miners.
and during the next few days every ell
fort will he made IL bring out the men
in the few mines that are stiii working
This VIII be difficult task. but they eN-
press confidence in their ability e. make
the suspension complete before tho week
is over.
From the best Information ohtainabe
the Pittsburg operators are in no hurry
TO have the difficulty adjusted, as many
of them had stocks on railroad sidlngs
which they held for an advance Much
OF this was disposed of Saturday at II
good profit. 4 prominent operator said
today that IL would take another week
to determine the status Of the market.
and by that time general closing viii
have taken place. All interested will ba
IL.
and probably a much higher price. An
other operator said
This whole thing will result In a COM
promise. These operators are in a posi-
ton TO stand IL for some tirne. and | be-
litVe the miners are In about the same
condition. Ii looks II both will be
righted up. and in that event the opera
tors Will be able TO get prices. and the
condition of business and the condition Of
miners will be simultaneously improved"
Just now the greatest obstacle in the
way OF success OF the miners is the actiy-
lily of the diggers In the West Virginia
fields. They are working night and day.
and are ready to supply all the coal that
is needed.
This is the condition of affairs. which
the organizers who will go into the con
test this week Will have TO encounter. Il
IL argued by the miners that there ara
more men out than there three years
ago, and they express confidence In bring
ing them all out If they can get their ear.
This failing. the raiiroad organizations
will be appealed 10. This plan of campaign
has been outlined by rhe national Officers,
and the developments of the week viii Do
watched with interest.
There are "A number of operators In the
Piitsburg district who have expressed \
Willingness to pay the price demanded.
But the miners have said no. They viii
insist that majority OF the operators
In the district pay the o9-cant rate or
none. This is the uitimatum of the ma
tional officers
The new features In the situa ton today
were the arrival of the Ohio and Indiana
state boards of arbitration. the meeting
tonight of the United Labor League ,f
Western Pennsylvania. and the report
that mosement WAS foot 10 impa I
new men TO take the places OF the strik-
ers at the Pittsburg L Chicago Company =
mines.
The strikers at the mines OF the Pitts
burg a. Chicago Gas Coal Company were
greatly excited today over a report that
owen Grouse was IN that region. and
that an attempt would he made 10 yN~
sumo work with imported men. s.cre-
tary Warner OF the United Mine Work
ers. said that II this was done there would
likely he trouble. and he feared there
would be a iynchine.
The only news from the West virginia
fields received here was that the Beech
wood mines. twelve miles south Of Nor
gantown. had started up. and were ad-
vertising for 100 more men.