The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-22
CRISIS IN COAL STRIKE.
WAGE CONFERENCE TO BE HBJD IN
PITTSBURG To-M0RRoW.
Neither side Seems Likely TO Yieid at Present
IndicAtiona-The Operators 1ssuo an Ao-
dresa to Justify Their SIDE OF the Case
Moro Arrests Made OF the mnrchors.

NCLtner EIuG bteWA hAANhy - HhVa-
IndicAtions-The Operators Issue an Ad-
dresa TO Justify Their side OF the Case
Moro Arrests Made OF the mnrcher'-
PrrTsBuRG. Pa, Aug. GA conference De-
tween the Pittsburg coal operators and the OF
fclals OF tho United Mine Workers has been SGT
for 10 A. NJ. Monday. M. =. Ratchford. Ma
tional President; w. c. Pearce, National Secre-
tary, and Patrick Dolan. Pittsburg district
President, will represent the miners. Inc
operators will be represented by Operators G.".
Schluedcrberg. W. p. Rcnd. and f. NJ. osborhe'
Whether the conference will result in an ar
rangemcnt that may end the strike is a matter
of conjecture. The miners representative Will
DO confronted by the operators demand hat tho
strikers return to work at the old rate OF wages
81 cents n ton. The operators VIII DC met WIN
the strikers demand for so cents.
Neither side will admit that it can consent to
n compromise on the price, and II that spirit
should hold until Monday no settlement Is
possible. From hints given by coal opera
tors 1t appears that their body might con-
sent to a wage rate Of more than ID cents
but materially less than 80 cents. On the con-
trary, the miners representatives. or at least
one of them. Mr.. Dolan, talks as II the 69-ccnt
rate were the only one they can discuss with
propriety.
However, even II the representatives OF both
sides could agree Monday on n compromise, the
strike would not necessarily be ended. Another
factor would remain to be dealt with, the
miners themselves. Patrick Dolan explained
the situation thus:
1--WE are not authorized to settle this strike
for n rate Of wages less than 90 cents. To settle
ut n lower rate requires the consent OF tho min
crs themselves. and all the miners would have
to take n vote on the question. 1t would not
take long to get this vote in, but pending the
cnpynss tlc atrikp would ha yp tn continue
At the operators meeting a resolution was
adoptcd plcdging their consent to arbitration
in case no settlement should follow n conference
with the miners otlicials; Dolan told why arbi'
t~ration, on the basis proposed by the operators.
is impossible.
THE operators saw to u.s. remarked Dolan.
'lct us arbitratc, and you miners pending tho
decision of the operators, return to work at tho
81 cent ratio. We can't accept that kind sug-
~sestion. We will consent to return to work at
the so cent rate pending tho decision of the
arbitrators."
Col. w. p. Rend is hopeful that tho con-
ference may result in a settlement OF the
strike, and he is SO well pleased that he
is ready to reconsider his intention, eX-
pressed in an interview in yesterdays
Sun. not to collect from the miners. when
working. the per capita tax assessed by the
union. The Colonel was asked IL W. Z. De
Armitt was expected to agree to any settlement
that might be effected.
"Oh, no." he replied, 1--WE don't expect Mr..
De Armitt to be with u.s."
Five marching strikers were arrested this
morning at Plum Creek by Sheriff Lowry's
deputies, charged with unlawful assemblage.
Three of tho men formed one OF the squads
that tried to slip by side paths to the Plum Creek
mine; the other two had slept all night at the
town of Centre and were arrested on their way
to camp. The Sheriff will allow no strikers on
the public road at hours when De Armitt 8 miners
are gong to work. and though the two men
from Centre protested they were arrested.
The coal operators Press Committee issued q
statement tonight. in which they said:
Facts produced within the last few days dis
district arc confronted with the combined oppo-
sition Of the miners organization and q coalition
That there is a well.considerod plan on the
part Of these Western producers to supplant
the Pittsburg. operators in the Northwestern
winter is evidenced by the Influences which
have been set in motion to BTolonE the strike; TO
upper lake ports before tho close Of navigation;
1.-THE Pittsourg operators have always paid
ton for mining. except in isolated sections
where. from the difficulty Of mining. the digger
Is n,o unable bass to b %ak @s as M laEFSe e saFninSs; w bhf 9 Ssar
as heavily on them as on the miner. and which
they have been equally as helpless as the miners
l u VI "
The operators OF the Pittsburg district have
asked for a conference with the officials of the
miners organization and have given evidence of
the sincerity of their motives and the truthful.
ness of their Representations by agreeing to sub
nit their side OF the controversy to dis.
interested men for arbitration. feeling assured
of the strength of their position. Finally and
reluctantly 1t secms a conference has been aC'
corded to take place at the Monongahela House
on Monday. They hope for a satisfactory set
Element"
1t became known to-day that NJ. d. Rathford's
call to the liberty loving people" to send dele
gates to n convention at st. Louis to protest
against the courts of justice. WAS only conceived
after the failure of a plan to call out the labor OF
the country in n sympathetic strike.
Two weeks ago IA conference of labor leaders
was held in Columbus. The participants ar
rived in the town slnSly, and most of then
stopped at private houses, keeping secret theiI
presence in the city. A conference was held,
and Rathford laid before the meeting a request
to call n general sympathetic strike. He ap
pealed particularly to the officials OF the railroad
mems organizations.
Sargent, Wilkinson and Morrissey of the
Brotherhoods of Railway Firemen, Trainmer
and Switchmen,a and the President of the Rail
way Conductors, were. present. Each and al
spoke against Rathford's proposition.
1t Is understood that Rathford has not lost
hope OF securing a sympathetic strike and tina,
the meeting to be held at ST. Louis. while os
tensibly directed against court injunctions, II
really intended to secure the advocacy Of q
general strike.