The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-07-13
HOPE GONE.
West Virginia to Join in the
Great Strike.
Operators Admit That it is Lost
to Them.
TIEUPTHUS COMPLETE
Unless Arbitration Measures
Are Soon Taken.
Many of the COuntry's Indus
tries Will Be Paralyzed.

Cleveland, O., July 13.-Within forty
eight hours developments of very def
mite character are expected to take
place in the West Virginia coal fields.
A leading operator received a long dis
tance telephone message at 10 o'clock
this morning stating that nine organiz-
ers had just left Pittsburg for the West
Virginia coal fields.
A person who occupies a high official
position in the mine workers union was
at the Pittsburg end of the telephone
You may look for something start
ling in that direction within the next As
hours" he said. 'Relia BILE advices
which L have received this morning
convince me the West Virginia miners
will come out All they wait for is a
little urging from the union. L am free
to confess to you that while expected
many men to come out, 1 never hoped
for such complete and overwhelming
victory as this
The foregoing. message was repeated
to reporter who was standing at the
hand of the operator who received it.
When that point is reached that the
coal mine operators refuse to talk for
publica tiOn, the Situa ton is grave in
deed. The operators now urge upon
their interviewers that under no cir
cumStanceS must their names be used
in connection with the information they
have supplied. A leading operator made
a plain statement, a startling statement
in fact, this morning, but insisted his
name must not be used.
lis there not some parts of your state
ment which 1 may accredit to you?'
asked the reporter.
mo; you see if I talked for publica-
ton, I would have to say to you just
the opposite of what l have said You
appreciate that there are many reasons
why would not want my name to ap-
pear as submitting all these facts.'
Since Saturday the coal strike has as
sun1ed a very grave aspect, but a full
realization of the change did not reach
Cleveland operators and dealers until
today. Excepting a few operators who
had some inside inforna ton thew were
disposed to speak lightly of the matter
and loudly declare that there was coal
on hand-more than enough to supply
the country regardless of the outcome
of the strike.
Today all this seeming, or pretended
confidence had disappeared Several
operators went TO Pittsburg yesterday
to attend the voluntary conference of
the state arbitrators. One of those
whose knowledge of the premises is
above question, said today:
1.-The situation is very grave and L
anticipate some very startling develop
ments within the next 48 hours. I be-
Iieve the West Virginia miners will
come out, and that will make the tie-up
complete.
"A small amount of coal is now COM
ing from the mines along the Pennsyl
vania main line and from the coke reg
ions. but it is in comparatively insig-
nificent quantities think it will be
shut off entirely very soon- From what
1 could learn yesterday from Pittsburg
I do not hesitate to say that in my be-
lief the railroads will hesitate to haul
West Virginia and De Armitt mines
coal. The engineers and trainmen are
regarding the situation with lowering
browS, P. NJ. Arthur'S statement to the
contrary Notwithstanding. The supply
of coal on hand is very short and look
for another sharp advance in price very
shortly. Saturday, coal which was
loaded at Pittsburg for 81 90 to $1.25 f.
O. b.. is now held at $1.75. Delivered at
Cleveland the price is 81. .65. Chicago is
buying freely and paying high prices.
do not think the supply will hold out
more than week longer.