The Indianapolis journal., 1897-08-26
RumOr of Complete Surrender 10 the
Strikers Denied by Some of the
Leading Operators.
PATRICK DOLAN ARRESTED
DISTRICT PRESIDENT CHARGED
WITH VIOLATING THE INJUNCTION.
Led n Band of MarcherS and Defied
-Incendiarism-Strik
Warned at DanviIIe, Ill.

PITTSBURG, Pa, Aug. 25.-Coal opera
tors of the Pittsburg district made a de-
cided change of front since yesterday. In
ternal dissensions mixed with fear on the
part OF some. caused a split in their forces
and change of base. On its face the move
looked to many like a temporary surrender
to the United Mine Workers of America.
This, however, is denied in most emphatic
terms by the most prominent lake snip
pers, who say they are going to start their
mines and supply the demand from the
Northwest and not stand idly by and let
a large volume of business go to operators
OF other States. They publicly state that
they are willing to wait for week or ten
days before decided move Is made. They
claim that this will give them ample time
to get the lake trade. Some of the operators
in the meeting were frank enough to state
that the situation at the present time in
all branches of labor is critical, and that
they have no desire to make any move that
would cast odium on the operators of the
Pittsburg district.
1t was under the above conditions that
the operators went into session this morn
ing. There were many who had not signed
the agreement to share their portion to-
ward the expense that might accrue in the
effort to start the mines and thsy were
the loudest in the appeals to hold aloof to
await developments. 1t was proposed that
notices printed in various languages en-
bracing briefly the position of the operators
and also a final notice to the miners that
the mines were ready to be operated as
soon as the men expressed a desire to so
to work. This proposal was barely enter
tanned and voted down, showing that many
of the operators had receded from the
stand they had taken. A motion to dis
charge all committees and adjourn sine die
was made and prevailed.
In the afternoon another meeting of the
most prominent and largest lake shippers
was held. The session was short, and as
result the following was issued by their
press committee: The organization COM
posed of all the coal operators which has
been in session at the Monongahela House
adjourned this morning sine die This ac-
ton puts affairs into the hands of a COM
mittee appointed this morning under an
agreement which was entered into at Cleve-
land, and which has since been ratified and
strengthened by the signatures OF large
majority of the railroad coal producers of
this district. The committee is vested with
discretionary power to act" All efforts to
find out who composed this special com
mittee were futile. The press committee,
after repeated entreaties, refused to divulge
the names of the committeeman -
j. b. Zerbe, who presided at the meet
ing was emphatic in asserting that the
operators who had originally gone into the
compact at Cleveland to break the STRIKE
had not changed their intentions. In the
course of an interview he said: Il wish 10
say and say it IN al sincerity. t tnat @ tne tn
wards starting their mines have not
changed their intentions. 1t is true that the
organization that has been IN session Tor
the last few days has been virtually aban-
doned The old organization, the one that
was originally formed with Peter Nj. Hitch
cock as chairman, G. M. Baine, secretary,
and j. c. Dysart, treasurer, has not been
abandoned, and will continue the work on
lines originally mapped out. 1t is true that
there is no need of being in big hurry.
We have plenty of time in which to start
the mines and get our snare OF the 6usi- 6-
more in which we can get into shape. The
position taken by the OFFICIALS OF the min
ers will be one they will regret. 1t does
not seem right nor fair towards us for
operators in other States to have men at
work at a lower rate and supply a trade
that rightfully belongs to the P1ttsburg
district. But rest assured that the mines
of MANY of the operators of the Pittsburg
district will run when we have fully de-
termined upon our plan OF action. Just
when this resumption is to take place
state. The coal operators feel that they
have right, justice, law and order on their
side and are fully determined to resume
business when the proper time comes.
which will be soon
The Cleveland operators left for their
homes tonight and 1t is probable that an
other meeting will be held in Cleveland
within the next few days. Many of the
local operators who took part in the con-
ference and withdrew. seemed to be in
good humor. 1t Is known that number
Of the small producers have been making
more money In buying and selling coal than
they would had their mines been in opera
ton since the strike began.
In consequence of the adjournment OF the
meeting and the circulation of a report
that the operators had surrendered to the
miners organization there was a feeling
that the price of coal would make material
advances Brokers were on hand at the
Nonongahela House when the operators
left the meeting, but little business was
transacted Many of them had holdings
which they offered at advances, but there
were no buyers at an increased figure. The
price of coal to-day was what it has been
for the last week. 1t could be bought from
90 cents to 1.25 at the mine the price be-
ing regulated by. the quantity of the coal.