The record-union., 1897-07-25


Not Mined by Union Labor.
CLEVELAND (O), July 24.-On the
action Of the labor leaders at the
Wheeling conference, called for July
9th by President Ratchford of the
Mine Workers Union, seems to hang
the fate of the strikers. 1t was init
mated in this city to-day that Ratch-
ford's aim is to induce the trainmen
to refuse TO handle West Virginia coal
Chief P. NJ. Arthurs refusal to attend
the convention does not occasion sur
prise among organized labor.
This is not a matter which concerns
US" said Mr.. Arthur, speaking of the
coal strike. 1T is natural the men
should feel a sympathy for the strik-
ing miners, and I suppose they do, but
there is no reason why they should re-
fuse to haul West Virginia coal the
same as any other freight. It may be
there are some who would be inclined
to refuse to handle it, I have not been
asked by any of our organizations for
any advice on the question. The or
ganization has rules governing its
members in such affairs"
Mr. Ratchford, it is understood,
hopes to induce the trainment, switch
men and conductors and their leaders
to refuse 10 handle West Virginia coal
not mined by union labor. If he ac-
complishes this, the operators con-
cede that the market would take a
wonderful jump.
CALL FOR a GENERAL STRIKE.
COLUMBUS (O.), July 24.-Fred Dill
cher of the National Executive Board
wires from Thurmond, W. Va. TO the
national headquarters that at a mass
meeting at SOmall in the New River
region. last night the miners adopted
a resolution calling for a general strike
July 26th They ask for a sixty-cent
rate per ton. and no settlement will be
made until it is made national.
WESTERN MINES MAY STRIKE.
LITTLE ROCK (Ark), July 24.-The
Gazette" to-day prints the following:
Everything indicates that Western
miners viii go out in sympathy with
their Eastern brethren. Their local
meetings, their conference held a few
days ago at Pittsburg, Kan, and the
presence of a number of Eastern dele
cations on the ground are sufficient
proof that the step is contemplated,
and that it may occur on August LIST.
The action of the Western Railroads
also shows that they are expecting it.
they are storing all the coal they can
get
Should such a step be taken, it will
seriously interfere with the business of
the country, and especially with the
marketing of principal products Of the
West now ready for market-wheat
and cattle It may be averted, but it
does not seem possible unless the de-
mands of the Western miners are COM
piled with"
OPERATORS TO MEET TO-DAY.
PITTSBURG, July 24.-If the plans
as outlined do not fail, the majority
of the coal miners of the Pittsburg dis
trict viii get together at the Court
house in this city at II o'clock in the
morning. The call was sent out this
morning, with signatures Of the heav-
lest producers in the district. All the
operators who have signified their will
ingness to be present at the meeting are
in favor Of the re-establishment of the
uniformity, and their signatures viii go
long way toward making up the re
quired 50 per cent. of the operators in
the Pittsburg district, as outlined by
Mr. De Armitt.
It is probable that the Commissioners
from other States viii be notified to be
in Pittsburg Tuesday. They will bring
other signatures, and it is expected that
whatever action will be taken will at
least be binding on those that attend
the preliminary meeting.
AS near as can be learned, the object
of the first meeting is to determine
what grievances the various operators
have Committees vii lbe appointed,
some to solicit signatures and others to
work on the various features of the
contract The work viii be pushed to
completion as rapidly as possible.
The miners officials say that they will
do all in their power to bring about a
uniformity agreement. They insist,
however. that they do not want the
public to be under the impression that
they are losing sight of the Importance
of the strike.
The strikers contemplate a move in
the New York and Cleveland Gas Coal
Company next week. A march by 1000
more strikers is one of the plans dis
cussed by the officials to get De Ar
mitts men out
No violence of the law, the strike
leaders say viii be tolerated The
of the mines which are working. the
leaders think, would have the proper
effect in causing a suspension of the
New York and Cleveland Company's
mines.
This is pay day at the mines along the
Wheeling division of the Baltimore and
Ohio road. The miners did not receive
much money, however, as they worked
only three days in July.
The miners officials are busy all day
distributing provisions among the poor
er families along this division
1t is reported that the strikers march
ed on the Equitable mine at Webster
this morning and induced the men to
join them The Equitable is a cooper
alive mine.
MONDAY WILL TELL THE STORY.
FAIRMONT CIV Va-), July 24-Mon-
day morning viii be the deciding point
in the great mining contest
IF they are not out by Tuesday,
they will never come out" said Senator
Camden, who was called here last night,
from Parkersburg, by the seriousness of
the situation. Senator Camden is the
President of the Monogah district
Before leaving early this morning
Ratchford received several kilograms
from the leaders of other labor organi-
cations, assuring him that they were
with him.