Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-05
MINERS STRIKE HAS BEGUN
Great Labor Demonstration Inauguated
Peacefully Today.
Doubt Exists ms 10 the Number Of Ncv
Involved I'm This Latent
Disturbance.

PlTTSBU RIG. Pa. July 5-The great
wage struggle of the coal miners was I'm.
augurated throughout the Pittshurg dis.
trict today, but IL will he impossible 10
tell anything about the true situation be-
fore tomorrow. as this is a general holiday
and work is suspended in all the mines OF
the district
This was a day of mass meetings Rv n
preconcerted arrange .nent of th,, district
executive board OF the united mine work
ers. meetings were held I'm nearly every
mining settlement that was represented NJ
Saturdays convention in this city. and Tho
miners were implored not 10 falter in IN,
great struggle that has begun. What e.
feet the meetings will have cannot he De-
termined until Tuesday morning
When II Is learned Just how many men
eiuse TO go TO work. then the magnitude
OF the strike will manifest itself Much
Goubt is expressed as to the action of tho
Pittsburg and Chicago miners on the
wheeling division of the Baltimore and
ohio: the NJ A. Hanna & Co.'S miners ON
the Panhandle. who are working AT the
skty-cent rate. under an ironclad contract
and the New York and Cleveland miners
at Turtle Creek. Plum Creek and Sandy
creek The miners officials claim these
men will strike. and the operators say they
will not.
President Dollars Views.
Ian said:
The coming week will lie a busy one /
have every reason to believe that. with the
exception of very few mines. the suspen-
sion will be general. Our men realize that
this IS the light OF their lives. ana from
the expressions of determination | hear ON
an sides. L have every reason to believe
the strike Will he successful
How long will 4 last2 YOU ask That IS
difficult question TO answer. But OF
one thing you can rest assured We are
In good shape to stay out all summer. by
good shape 4 mean that we have warm
weather and a prospective big demand for
lake trade coal in sight. which makes the
time much more opportune than in winter.
There is an erroneous impression that
by reason Of so many Industries being shut
down there will be little demand Tor coal.
1t is not generally known. but the supply OF
coal for the manufactures in abe Pi:tsburg
district is but drop In the bucket when
compared with the lake trade. which sup
plies the carkets where coal mines are prac-
tically unknown.
Discouraging Features Presented.
The general suspension, to those in a
position te know. presents some very dis
couraging features The past winter has
been severe on the mining craft. BUS
ness has teen very duh. and in addition.
the lowest rate ever paid in the district
prevailed for the little work that was done.
Women am children have been sufferers
nigh unit starvation, and many of them
have been wards of the county.
With spring the conditions We're little
improved, and during the past month many
mines have been running continuously.
What little has been earned will be used in
paying debts contracted during the :"isn
of semi II Is expected at the
meetings today to make an effort TO con-
vince the miners that by reason Of the sus-
pension being general. victory is bound to
follow. IL will be argued that the public IS
in favor of the miners being paid higher
price. and that general support will be
forthcoming.
Illinois Men Out.
MORRIS, Ill. July 5.-In compliance with
the general order the miners of the WI
minEton coal field. including all Grundy
county miners. went on strike today. The
Braceville miners decided to square up
places. refusing, however. to load coal.
Some Italians at Carbon Hill refuse to
strike, and in consequence a mine was
partially operated today Other mines have
prac tically been on strike several days.
The siege promises 20 he long one.