The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-08-20
Mine Officials Now Recognize
CRISIS AT HAND IN THE GREAT STRIKE.
Coup Planned That May Win.
General Conference of Federated Trades Called for
Aug. 80 to Tie Up the Railroads and
Other Channels of Traffic.

COLUMBUS, O., Aug. 19-The Off
| cials of the United Mine Workers have
| awakened to a full realization of the
fact that a crisis is at hand in the
great strike, and are preparing for a
final effort. The proceedings Of the
meeting of the national executive board
have been guarded with the greatest
secrecy, but enough has been learned
to indicate that plans are being laid for
a grand coup. 1t was learned at mid
night from an official source that res
olution was adopted by the national
board providing for the calling of a
conference of all federated unions at
st. Louis, Aug. 80. The purpose is to
secure the cooperation of all these Or
ganfzations. They will be asked not
only for sympathy, but to join in the
great strike. The plan is to tie up the
railroads and other channels of busi-
ness so that the supply of coal NAV be
effectually cut off and thus force the
operators to negotiate for a general
settlement of the wage question. Fail
ing in this the miners officials do not
intimate what course will be taken.
PITTSBURG, Aug 19-The meeting
of the coal operators today and tonight
will bring about one of two results.
Either arbitration will settle the strike
or the mines will be started with i'm
ported men. Tomorrow will decide
which course shall be pursued. The op-
orators are evidently in favor of arbi-
tration in preference to a forcible open
ing of their mines. This was evidenc-
ed today when Messrs. Murray and Os-
borne, representing the meeting, wired
National President Ratchford asking
If Saturday next would be suitable for
conference at Pittsburg Of both sides.
The Rend and Robbins interests last
night telegraphed Ratchford, asking
him to come to Pittsburg to try and
settle the strike. District President
Dolan followed the telegram to Ratch-
ford and has been endeavoring by per-
sonal persuasion to bring about such
a meeting. Dolan today telegraphed
that Mr.. Ratchford was willing to con-
fer, but preferred not to meet with the
Pittsburg operators only, but an inter-
state representation.
The telegram sent by the meeting to-
day insisted that Indiana and Illinois
would not consent to a conference, and
it now remains with President Ratch-
ford to say whether or not he will meet
with the Pittsburg operators and trust
to the others to follow the decision
there made. 1t is believed that a con-
ference will be held here on Satur-
day, because just after the session of
the operators had adjourned, Col. Rend
received a telegram from his son Jo-
seph, who is in Columbus, saying:
"Dolan says Saturday will be selected
for conference. Executive board will
be in session tomorrow
1t is inferred from this that Ratch-
ford has now concluded to attend the
conference. When Mr.. Dolan went
to Columbus last night, he was given
absolute authority by Rend, Robbins
and others to arrange for unqualified
arbitration, and he has been working
to this end all day. Should the arbi-
tration meeting not be arranged for,
it was decided by the operators at
their meeting tonight that immediate
preparations for starting their mines
nonunion shall be begun. The meet
ing adjourned until tomorrow morn
ing to give time for Ratchford to
answer officially.
Should Ratchford's reply be adverse,
mines will be started in few days.
Machine mines will be selected for
the initial movement. From express
sicns used by the operators tonight,
they are more determined than ever
to start their mines, peaceably or 9th
erwise.
The meeting was very largely at
tended, and permanent organization
was effected. The fact that the coal
operators Of the Pittsburg district have