Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-06
GREAT STRIKE is ON
Report That Pittsburg District Men
Are Generally Out.
ORDER IGNORED IN WEST VIRGINIA
Hard to Get figures,a as This is but
the Beginning.
MR.. RATCHFORD TALKS.

| greatly pleased with the progress of the
| present strike and regards the outlook as
exceedingly bright. An encouraging report
| was received from the Pittsburg district
| this morning, which stated that with the
| exception Of the mine of the New York
| and Cleveland Gas Coal Co. and one or two
! mines where the miners are under contract
| all were out
Ii Is stated that District President Dolan
| OF the Pittsburg district expects the miners
| employed by the New York and Cleveland
| Gas Coal Co. to join the suspension in a
| day or two.
Ii is thought that when the miners of the
| aforementioned company quit work Il
will have the effect of bringing the min
ers of the other Or two mines out
regardless of contracts which they may be
under This will make lhe suspension
complete in the Pittsburg district
President Rntchford's Vtews.
Speaking of the situation today Presi-
dent Ratchford said: I'm some disorganizcd
districts the miners are holding back to
satisfy themselves that the movement will
be general before taking any part in IT,
On this point they need have no doubt
Nor should they manifest any weakness l,y
Urging others to take the initiative. The
movement Is for the benefit of the whole
anu VIII require the efforts OF all to insure
success 1t Is sincerely hoped that this
spirit will not long continue to exist Men
fever free themselves 10y inviting the other
/ fellow TO go foremost to the fight
The enormity of this movement is at
tracing the attention of the country our
rational legislators and members of the
rational cabinet express sorle alarm at
the outcome of the present conflict
This is the first time in the history of the
mining trade that the regulation of our
wages or our trade affairs has given high
circles any particular concern. We are
pieased to know that even now interest is
| being expressed in the peaceful solution of
| this and future difficulties.
National Legislation Needed,
National legislation looking to the es-
tablishment of a shorter work day and the
enactment of minimum wage law, as
We'll as national arbitration for the settle
ment OF future difficulties, may be expect
| ed This, however. will depend upon our
| se.ves. IL our miners content themselves
win their lot If they are satisfied TO live
| IN slavery, our national Congress will offe,
out little objection. IL is to be hoped every
nian In this country VIII lay down his pick
ana thereby 90 his part to bring about a
better system for himself and his posterity
| In summing up the whole situation \
am wen pleased and feel really confident
OF the outcome. Our miners have an en-
portunity at this time which they have
| never had before. They must take adyan-
| tage oil 1t. They may never have it again.
Supported ny Press and Pulpft.
''rhe press, the pulpit and the people are
almost united in their support. Offers of
assistance have come from state and IA
tional unions. The Labor League of Penn
sylrania. which is a strong and powerful
| organization, at meeting held in Pitts
burg on Sunday last, resolved TO sustain
| the miners and give them material aid If
aid be required.
al of inf
others that might be enumerated, the fu-
ture OF the mining industry will occupy a
higher plane, and at least the necessa.ies
| Of life will be insured to those depep ding
on that branch of industry"
Soliciting Aid for Strikers.
! Messrs. Adam Hallam Asa stevenson,
| Berj Nichols and J. C. Cali. miners OF
| Oakdale, Athens county. are in the city for
| tine purpose of making a canvass for con-
tribution to a fund to relieve the miners
of any distress which this strike might
cause. They have been here for day
two, and make personal visits to the diff
ferenr shops and places of business in the
central part of the town. They have di-
vided the city into districts.
Big Stocks On Hand.
! Mr. A. Brenholz, who manages the home
| office for the General Hooking Coal Com
| pany, says there is at least 15o.0to tons of
ecal in storage in the northwest. He esti-
| mates that this will supply all demands for
| at least four months. no matter how gen.
| eral the miners strike becomes.
| There is considerable coal on the Ohio
dec ks ready for shipment by lake. but this
ccal will not be sent west 1t Will be held
| for the purpose of supplying transient
trade.
With respect to a supply for the rail-
| roads, it is estimated that the different
companies have enough coal on hand to
last them about six weeks.
MINERS CHARGE BAD FAITH.
Officers Of National Union Accused of
Giving 0at Information.
Special Dispat to The Evening Star.
WHEELING, w. Va. July 6.-There is
no change in the coal strike situation in
West Virginia. while in eastern Ohio the
reports of last night have been verified.
Sensational cha rees made since the strike
was ordered that the national officers
some one in their confidence gave the
Larger operat tors in West Virginia and
Ohio secret information three weeks be-
fore the public or miners were let into
the secret, SO ttese operators would have
time 10 supply customers, and put out ad-
vance stocks, have been used by those wh'
opposed the strike, and these charges will
prevent the SUCCESS Of the movement.
The belief that this was dane put all
morning, a set of men who newer before
hesi;ated TO obey a strike mahdate. Even
the presence of Secretary-Treasurer Lew
is and his protests that the charges were
false did rot prevent these two thousand
men from voting two to one to remain Il
work.
Sunday and yesterday being idle days the
strike really began this morning, and the
results have beer discouraging to the ad-
vccates Of 4. strike. All Cleveland. Lorain
and Wheeling miners and half the men
along the Baltimore and Ohio are work.
ing. At Fairmopnt. Monongahe,a. Graf
ton; along the West Virginia Central and
Pittsourg railroad; along the Norfolk and
Western in the Kanawah and New River
valleys; along the Chesapeake and Ohio
and Kanawah and Michigan railroads;
in fact, in all the West Virginia
flelds, no attention was paid TO the strike
order and the men are working as they
have been. They cid not even consider the
strike. Half the Wheeling and the Lake
Erie miners are working, but there is hope
that they may quit.
The strike must fail without West vir.
ginia. for II can supply all demands, and
there are not 500 organised miners In tn.