The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-07-09
THE MINERS STRIKE.
Il 9th Sides Confident - The Advantage
with the Miners-The Baltimore and
Ohio Confiscating Government Coal.

Pittshurg, July 7.-Forty-eight hours
after the inauguration of the great coal
miners strike, a comparison of state
ments from both sides shows favorable
results for the diggers. There seems no
question that the workmen have scored a
decided advantage in this district, and it
is believed that the Pittesburg district
goes, 50 goes the country. Conservative
estimates place the number of miners now
striking in this district from 16 900 to IS, 00o
men. an increase of about 5000 over yes
terdays record This leaves but flOn
1900 to 900 men still working The key
to the entire situation from present ap-
pearances lies in the success defeat of
the strikers in securing the cooperation
of the men now working for the New
York and Cleveland Gas Coal Company.
Without these men. the strike can hardly
succeed, because they will be able, in
measure, to supply the demand long
enough to tide over the present embar-
raSSment.
Patrick Dolan. president Of the Pitts
burg district miners. is confident that be
fore 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 tonight
issued a statement claiming a large acces-
trict and a heavier shipping list than
usual. One thing slightly in favor of the
operators is the freeing of navigation on
the Monongahela river, which went into
effect today. Ten million bushels of coal
which have been stocked in the pools
above here awaiting this event will be
brought to- this harbor at once and be
available for the present demand.
Notwithstanding the advantages claim.
ed for the operators. the consensus of
opinion appears to be in favor of the
miners, inaSmuch as the operators can
Cnly hope for temporary relief with their
present facilities and the miners officials
seem to be in a ia way to effectually
cripple even these by constantly adding
to their number from the ranks of those
| remaining at work. Leading operators in
the district 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 a week None of them
are pressed for coal and have offers from
operators whose miners have not joined
in the movement to hold 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. PittSburS
operators whose mines are idle have re-
quests for their individual cars. One
operator sent 100 cars 70 West Virginia
yesterday. The strike has already bene-
fitted the West Virginia operators and if
| it continues for Il few weeks they will
be enabled to dispose of a large quantity
of coal at good prices.
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Com
pany. acting under its legal right today
cOnfiscated a large number of ears or
coal which had been shipped by Henry
FlOersheim, to the United States engineer
for Davis island and the coal is badly
needed by the government and also by the
railroad company. The United States en-
gineer offered to compromise with the
| Baltimore and Ohio if it would release
| half of the coal. If the offer is not ac-
| Cepted the question will be submitted to
| the United States district attorney to de-
tcrminc where the coal shall go.