Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1897-07-10
STRIKERS ENCOURAGED.
The Number Of Mine Strikers In
creased by Five Thousand
IN THE PITTsBURG DISTRICT.

Bul the Opera sors Are just as Conf
dent OF Success AS Are til. Men Who
Are Demanding Better ny for Their
Labor.
Pittsburg. July S.-Sixty hours after
the inauguration of the great coal
miners strike comparison of state
ments from both sides engaged in the
contest show favorable results for the
diggers. Discounting the miners Off
Gals announcements by the operators
opinions, there seems no question that
the workmen have scored a decided
advantage in this district, and it is be-
lieved that as the Pittsburg district
goes so goes the country Conserva-
tive estimates place the number of
miners now striking in this district at
from 5000 to $4,000 men, an increase
Of about 5000 over Tuesdays record.
This leaves but from 5000 to 5000 men
still working.
The key to the entire situation, from
present appearances, lies in the success
or defeat of the strikers in securing
the cooperation of the men now work
ing for the New York and Cleveland
Gas Coal company. Without these men
the strike can hardly succeed, because
they will be able in a measure to supply
the demand long enough to tide over
the present embarrassment. Patrick
Dolan. president of the Pittsburg dis
trict miners, Is confident that before
the present week closes he will have
succeeded in getting all of these men
to join the ranks of the strikers, and
when this result is effected the battle
will be practically won.
The operators are just as confident
of success as the miners are. and last
night issued a statement claiming a
large accession of men in different
parts of the district and heavier ship
ping list than usual. One thing slightly
in favor of the operators is the freeing
of navigation on the Monongahela
river, which went into effect yesterday.
Ten million bushels of coal which have
been stocked in the pools above here
awaiting this event will be brought to
this harbor.
Notwithstanding the advantages
claimed for the operators, the consensus
of opinion appears to be in favor OF
the miners, inasmuch as the operators
can hope only for temporary relief with
their present facilities, and the miners
officials seem to be in fair way to
effectually cripple even these by con-
stantly adding to their number from
the ranks of those remaining at work
When the miners headquarters were
visited last evening the officials were
in high glee over the result accom-
AL Pf--w tka 4ax- al
ports I have received" said President
Dolan, there are no more than 5000
miners at work in the Pittsburg dis
trict. From reliable lieutenants in the
field reports received say that more
than IS per cent. of the aggregate num-
Der of men in the district have Joined
in the movement for higher wages.
The best news received was that the
men working under contract at the
Pan Handle mines of M. A. Hanna
& Co. had quit work, and that also
Robbins First Pool miners were idle,
and no coal was loaded at the mines
Of the Pittsburg Gas Coal company at
Snowden and Gastonville. The strike
is a greater success than the one of
1894. If we can get the men at the New
York and Cleveland Gas and Coal COM
pany out we can settle this fight within
a week, and l believe we can do it,"
Leading operators in the district pro-
fess to take an entirely different view
of the situation. They admit that the
miners have succeeded in getting more
men to strike than they expected, but
say they are not worrying over the
outlook, and that the strike will not
last week. None of them are pressed
for coal, and have offers from oper-
ators whose miners have not Joined in
the movement to help them out. Ex-
Senator Camden, of West Virginia, has
plenty Of coal, and is now trying to
lease cars to take it to the market.
Pittsburg operators whose mines are
idle have requests for their Individual
cars. One operator sent 100 cars to
West Virginia on Tuesday.
The strike has already benefited the
West Virginia operators, and if it con-
tinues for few weeks they win be
enabled to dispose of large quantity
of coal at good prices.