Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-07-27
BOYCOTT ON COAL
Threat Of the Strike Leaders That
Means Business.
WEST VIRGINIA MUST SUSPEND,

Or . Ban VIII BE Put on Her Product Of
Black Diamonds - No General Strike
Yet, but Promises for the Near Future
terest Now-Report ON the Situation 1t
Pittsburg-True Uniformity.
Fairmont, W. Va, July 27.-The strike
in this district which Ratchford predict
ed would be general yesterday has prov
en- fiat failure. After days of vigorous
effort by Debs, Mahon, Ccslett, Miller
and Ratchford, eliminating Sunday with
mass-meetings in many places. the min
erS at Fairmont remain mistaken. All
agree that yesterday was the critical
day. 1t was agreed that II there was no
strike Monday efforts would cease and
an appeal be made to the railroad men
to stop hauling coal. A canvass Of the
situation shows the New England, Gas
ton. Montana and West Fairmont and
Briar Hill Watson miners, with 1000
men. are all working. Mononsah has
fifty more than Saturday. a total of
16O. The Pritchard mine resumed with
twenty Of their old men. The Pinni-
kirnick mines at Clarksburg are work
ing. The only break came when thirty,
one-nalf Of the Hutchinson mine force,
quit, followed by Luther and Opekisha,
total of 80 men, who, with Aurora, 40;
Palatin. 49, ard Kings. 35, are all out
here. Sheriff Cunningham had depu-
ties at all the mines ready for trouble.
Debs Charges Intimidation.
Before leaving Fairmont Debs said:
Il have done all could to make the
Fairmont miners appreciate the situa-
ton. The poor fellows do appreciate
1t in great measure, but are intimi-
dated by the operators. They have been
locked in the mines, discharged for at
tending meetings, and threatened like
slaves They know it and feel powerless
to prevent it. All depends on the
Wheeling conference. The operators win
now, but they are sowing the wind to
reap the whirlwind. When the worm
turns he becomes maniac and maniacs
destroy opposition" Senator Camden
said yesterday: During the past ten
days the agitators have been given full
swing. They have used every effort to
get out men and failed. During that
time Ve have been put to an endless ex-
pense and very. The efforts Of the
agitators have proven futile. Our men
want to work and we propose to do
some fighting now and protect our men
from intimidation Of agitators."
Claims Made by the Leaders.
Wheeling, w. Va, July 27.-The labor
leaders gathering for todays confer
ence claim that 1000 out II the 5000
miners in the Fairmont and Monongah
railroad district are idle; that 5000 of
the 10000 men in the fields along the
Norfolk and Western road in the south
ern end of the state have quit, and un-
confirmed advices state that a large
proportion of the 1000 men in the great
Kanawha region are idle. Debs. Mahon,
Rea and the other leaders feel greatly
encouraged.
Miners Hold q Secret Meeting.
Cincinnati, July 27.-A special to The
Corlmercial-Trib from Clarksburg,
w. Va. says: The miners held a meet
ing at the station here and organized
union Of United Mine Workers of Amer
lea. Over 200 men attended and signed
the agreement. Guards were put out
and newspaper men were not allowed
to attend. The meeting was secret, but
from what could be learned it wasagreed
that all men should be governed by the
action Of the meeting of representatives
at Wheeling today. All the men are
organized and ready to go out and IL
at Wheeling today the word Is given
they will &c.
Boycott the Dernier Resort.
T. NJ. Jackson. president of the Pinn-
ickinnick mines, said yesterday his men
received from $40 to s2s per week and
that no trouble was feared. Mahon and
Rea will be here tomorrow, and from
present indications all the men will be
out by that time. If they do not come
out q boycott will be declared and any
company using West Virginia coal any,
where in the United States will be boy
cotted by all labor organizations. Mahon
says they have the help of all except
Chief Arthur and that he will be brought
| to time. The meeting at Wheeling will
settle the matter and if West Virginia
does not go out the miners predict that
coal from this state will not be worth
10 cents ton, as no union men will
| work where it is used.
MEETING OF THE COAL OPERATIONS.
Pittsburg District Waits Thercon-Mean-
ing of the Uniformity Plan.
Pittsburg, July 27.-The mining situa-
ton in this district is quiet and I'M
| changed. Both sides are waiting for
| the result Of the meeting today of the
| operators. The arbitrator are highly
elated at the prospects. All agree in
nx,svr fy,.% = x.-;n r.