The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-07-16

Ready to Quit WOTk-Washfngtcn Coke
and Coal Company's Men to Strike-Re.
sumption of Work ut Two Mines Prevent
ed-Deveio pments From West Virginia
Awaited With Great Interest-Prospects
OF Arbitration
Pittsburg, Pa, July 1.-THE miners
strike will be likely to extend eastward
within the next t~wenty-four hours. The
miners leaders have arranged for a
mass meeting at the mines of the
Pennsylvania Gas Coal Company, on
the Pennsylvania railroad. A number
of speakers from different organiza-
lions will deliver addresses and a
strong effort will be made to induce
the miners to throw down their tools.
1: is said the employees of this company
are ready to join the strike and that a
ton among them may result in a tenn
porary termination of work among the
men of the Westmoreland Gas Coal
Cmpany and other pits in that section.
President Dolan and Secretary Warn
er, of the Mine Workers, spent the day
at the local headquarters. receiving re-
ports from scouts sent out to watch
points where attempts would likely be
made by the operators to start their
plants.
A miner from Stickel Hollow, where
the miners of the Washington Coal and
Coke Company are located, reported
that the men who have been working
steadily throughout the strike o
surely lay down their tools today and
refuse to go in any more until the
trouble is all over. This man said they
were "drummed" both yesterday and
Monday when they came out of the
mine in the evening. From expressions
he heard from many of them he said
he was sure the drumming would
have it's effect. At the office Of the COM
pany it was stated that all the men
Were at work and MO interference was
expected. The company, however, had
taken the precautiOn to engage a num-
Der of deputies and will increase the
force if necessary. A report said they
would protect their men and believe
they will all remain at work.
hi strikers succeeded in preventing
TcSuIIlpllOIl at Two Iulil6S lOudy. lIlCS
were the Keeling and the Castle Calm
non pits. The men had agreed to re-
turn to work at the SO cent rate, but
were induced to change their minds
and promised to remain out until the
strikers won.
Another miner brought the informa-
ton that the workers in the Equitable
mine, one of the cooperative kind,
which has been working right through,
have Joined the strike. Great pressure
was brought to bear upon them, as the
pit was the only one in that vicinity
which was working.
The rliners' officials, it is said, are
getting ready for a move Of some sort
on h New York and Cleveland Gas
Coal Company's men in the near fu-
ture. The fact hat De Armitt's men
have so far given no intention Of join
ing the strike is a thorn in the side of
are vexed at the miners for not uc-
ceeding in getting the workmen Of the
New York and Cleveland Gas Coal
Company out. Many of the operators
are willing to remain closed down, if
w. P.De Armitt's men a be induced
to lay down their picks.
This afternoon Cook & Sons, owners
of the AllisOn's mines, at McGOvern
station, Washington county, notified
Sheriff Clark to furnish deputies to go
on duty at the mines. The Cooks have
being paid, but men from Bishop are
trying to influence h miners to quit
= to help the general strike. So Tar the
McGovern men i've refused.
Developments from the West Vir-
ginia field are awaited here with great
interest. The reports of the organ
izers sent from this city and Ohio will
~I s-i -SAA ~
miners of the Pittsburg district, for
they all recognize that unless the sup
ply of coal from that state can be
stopped, a serious handicap to their ul-
innate success will be presented. Cam
eron Miller, ex-vice president OF the
United Mine Workers, arrived in Pitts
burg today and rendered his services
to the local officials. He will probably
go into the West Virginia field as an
organizer. Mr.. Miller said the cOndi-
tons were more favorable for success
than at any time during the last gen.
eral suspension. The men he said,
acted with more u-a-:-nity this time in
responding to the strike order.
The prospect for a settlement of the
great miners strike is brighter tonight
than at any time since the struggle
began and both sides are almost ready
to count on a resumption of work in
the near uture.
The cheering announcement is made
tonight that w. p. De Armitt, presi-
dent of the New York and Cleveland
Gas Coal Company, whose 1000 men
have been constantly at work and
without who's assistance the success
of the movement would have been
jeopariized, has agreed to join with
the other operators in a plan for the
settlement of the strike on a true uni
formity basis. This result has been
brought through the efforts of the
members Of the joint arbitration COM
mission h have been working ass.du-
ously to this end since meeting Presi-
lent De Arm1tt yesterday. This after
noon the commission called upon Mr..
De Armitt and submitted their plan to
which he agreed. Then the commits
sion met the miners officials and the
proposition also received their ap-
prevail.
In agreeing to the terms. the miners
officials promised to use their influence
- oh<ofr Tho c;on0sroC nF tL1