The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-07-10
Operators Trying to Use
Debts Against Strikers.
THE LEADERS CONSULT
STRIKERS PREPARINGT TO MARCH
AGAINST MINERS AT WORK.
A CRUCIAL TIME IN THE STRIKE
Both Sides Feel That They Are Engaged in
Contest That is For Reaching and
Exceedingly Expensive.

Contest That is For Reaching and
Exceedingly Expensive.
Pittsburg, Pa, July 9.-The lines are
tightening in all sections Of the Pitts
burg mining district with the exception
of a few spots.
The diggers in New York and Cleve-
land Gas Coal Company are still work
ing. but President Dolan and Secretary
Warner are preparing for move of
sensational order on that point. 1t was
looked for to-day, but will be made some
time Saturday or Sunday, the time not
vet being agreed upon. President Dolan
was out at Wickhaven to-day strengthen
ing his cause and will visit of the river
mines before he returns.
Telegrams and letters of an encourag-
ing nature from the different pits in this
district are pouring into the miners Of
fee. One of these, written by a miner
on the Wheeling division of the Balti-
more and Ohio, complains that the oper-
ators are taking unfair means to whip
the men, The writer alleges that they
are influencing the boarding house-keep-
ers to issue attachments against the sim
gle men for the small amounts they owe,
and are also threatening the men having
families with landlords warrants and
election if they don't return to work.
From an operator it was learned the
mines of the Washington Coal and Coke
Company in Stickles Hollow are work
ing full and yesterday loaded 100 cars
of coal which went to Cleveland where
there is said to be scarcity. This mine
is on the line of the Pittsburg, Mckees-
port and Youghiogheny Railroad and
has not heretofore been considered IN
the Pittsburg district. The best in
formation puts the present state Of the
strike in this district as about complete,
with the exception of the pits of the
New York and Cleveland Company, four
or FIVE small mines and several others
in the fourth pool 1t seems that the Off
cials are having more trouble in getting
the miners of the Upper River section
out than in any other portion of the
territory. 1t is, too, with that of the
De Armitt mine, the vital point of the
district. Strong efforts will be made
this week by President Dolan to get all
the river diggers into the movement.
By his efforts yesterday the miners at
Whittsett and West Newton were out.
Some of the reports from the Monon-
gahela river district indicate that many
of the miners of that section are weak
ening and that some have already return
ed to work with prospects of more fol-
lowing the same example before long.
The Chamonni mines of the Tide Coal
Company; the mines of the Chas. Jutte
Company and the Samuel O'Neill mines
at Fayette and the Jones mines at Mo-
nongahela were at work to-day. This
condition of affairs is causing much ex-
citement in the valley. special from
Fayette City says:
Crowds Of idle miners are gathering
and unless the miners OF these places
in operation lay down their tools at
once it is said a march Of miners begin
ming at Fayette City, with brass band
leading will be made, and every man
persuaded to quit work. The miners
when spoken to were in deadly earnest,
and will not rest until every digger comes
out and joins in the general strike. The
serious condition of affairs in the Val
lev has been made known to the miners
officials and President Dolan will prob
ably arrange for mass meeting at
next forty-eight hours"
A miner from the valley who was at
headquarters to-day said it was neces-
sary to draw out all of the miners in
that section if success was desired.
The officials Of the United Mine Work
ers. both local and national, realize that
this is a crucial time in the strike move
ment with the greatest interest centered
in the Pittsburg district. Efforts VIII be
made to get out all the working river
miners and the De Armitt men, such as
were never made before in the history OF
a coal strike.
Much depends upon their success, ana
: IN fact it will likely be the turning point
in the movement. Up to the present time
not a man has quit at the mines Of the
New York and cleveland Gas Coal Com
pany and none are expected to join the
strikers. President w. p. De Armitt says
the men are perfectly satisfied with the
price and the conditions. They are re-
ceiving 10 cents above what is called for
in their contracts.
Trouble is expected on the Wheeling
division tomorrow, as it will be pay day.
It is estimated that fully $4,000 will
be paid out in cash. An effort will be
made by some Of the operators and rail
road officials to have the licensed sa.
ions at Finleyville closed tomorrow
claiming that there will be rioting il the
men who have money patronize these
places. There are many foreigners en-
ployed at the mines ana they are consid-
tered dangerous when under the influence
Of liquor.
An unusual quantity Of coal came in