The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-08-13
Judge Collier, of Pittsburg, Is
sues an Injunction
More Sweeping Than Anything
Yet Heard Of
AGAINST STRIKERS.
Forbids Them to March, Assem-
BILE or Camp
In the Vicinity of the Working
Miners Houses.

.Pittsburg, Pa, Aug. 13.-Sweeping
and far-reaching injunctions now Inquire
in the coal miners strike in the Pitts
burg district. The developments of
yesterday tend to make the situation
strained one and it appears that a
crisis is near at hand.
The strikers have demonstrated that
their assemblages, marches and mis-
sionary work have materially affected
the output of the New York and Cleve-
land Gas Coal company. while at the
same time public sympathy has been
enlisted in the cause.
The sheriff's proclamation, issued two
weeks ago, restraining the men from
assembling and marching, has been a
dead letter and the marches have con-
tinued daily. No disturbance OF any
kind has occurred, the officials OF the
miners contriving through the whole
time to keep their men within peaceful
bounds. The preliminary injunction
issued yesterday by Judges Collier ana
Stowe now brings the matter to the
county courts for settlement. The case
will be heard on Monday morning and
the decision will be looked forward to
with much interest.
The miners and their officials claim
that they are keeping within the law
and have the right to assemble in peace
and demonstrate to the world that they
are being wronged by rate of wages
that keeps them constantly at the point
of starvation; also, that they nave
right to use their presence and 1nf1u-
ence among men who are militia ting
against their interests by. continuing at
work.
The New York and Cleveland Gas
Coal company, on the other hand, as
Sert that the marches and aSSemblageS
are unlawful and a menace to their en-
ployes, many of whom, they say, are
willing to work providing the strikers
remain away. Looking at the matter
from this standpoint, the company made
its radical move in the courts to bring
about condition under Whlch the
company can operate its mines.
Judge Golfers preliminary injunction
restraints and enjoinS the defendants
from marching or camping in proxim-
ity to the mines and houses of the
miners for the purpose by intimidation,
menaces, threats and opprobious words.
of preventing the miners of the plaintiff
from working.
1t further restraints the defendants
from inducing or compelling any en-
ploye or miner to quit work. A hear
ing was fixed for August 16.
The injunction is regarded as the
most sweeping yet issued.
President Dolan expressed surprise
when informed that it had been grant
ed. and added: st will make no differ
ence to us. We will not break camp,
and will go right along as usual until
the matter is tested in the courts. We
will stay there regardless of every
judge in Allegheny county, and if they
attempt to enforce the injunction, they
will have to build more jails to accom-
| modate the men,
If the strikers continue their marches
as they say they will in defiance of the
| injunction, capiases will be issued for
! the offenders on the charge of contempt
of court. Should the injunction be en-
forced, the strikers camp around the
De Armitt mines will soon be extinct
The strikers, though excited over the
/ turn of events, are in no wise disheart-
ened.
1t is claimed by the strikers that this
movement of the company is only an
| other plan for getting the militia on
the ground. When they find that the
miners will not obey the injunction, and
| that the jails are becoming crowded in
| this manner it is said that the sheriff
| will adjudge that his deputies are not
sufficient to cope with the situation,
and he will be constrained to call out
| the militia. This is the view of the
situation taken by the leaders of the
strikers now in the camps. The Strik-
ers at Plum Creek held meeting and
voted unanimously to hold the fort, but
not to resist arrest.