The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-05
MINERS NOT OF ONE MIND.
STRIKE MAY PROVE A FAILURE AT
THE START.


should the Men In the Pittsburg Dis
trict Refuse to obey the order to
Quit the Movement VIII BE Doom
ed-StrOng Reason to Believe That
the Men In the Mines Where IRON
clad Contracts Exist and the River
Miners VIII Refuse TO Go out.
Pittsburg. Pa, July 4.--The coal miners
strike will be on tomorrow. The success
for the struggle for higher wages in five
states depends on the miners in the Pitts
burg district. If they fail to refrain from
working the movement will be a failure.
Fully 100 mines were represented at the
miners convention on Saturday by seven
ty-five delegates. This is a larger atten-
dance than al any convention since the
great strike of 1894 Many more miners
came, but having no credentials they could
not gain admttance. to the convention.
The resolution adopted was strong enough
for the emergency.
A resolution was also adopted requesting
Gov. Hastings to sign the weighing and
coal commission bills passed by the legis-
lature and now before him.
One of the significant points about the
convention yesterday was the fact that
no representatives we're present from the
mines where ironclad contracts and sign
ed agreements exist. These mines include
the first pool of F. L. Robbins & Co,
Borland mine of the Panhandle Coal Com
pany; Snowton and Gastonville mines of
the Pittsburg and Chicago Coal Company,
and the Oak Hill at Plum creek, and San
dy creek mines of the New York and
Cleveland Gas Coal Company. These en-
ploy about 5000 men, and the indications
are that If the men at one of these mines
refuse to quit all the diggers at the
others will act accordingly.
A strong effort is being made to get the
cooperation Of the river miners in the
coming fight. If they work they can cut
quite figure in supplying coal, as the
fuel for local points can all be supplied
by water routes.
The operators are making no effort to
concilate the miners. Not an operator
can be found who will not say that the
miners are entitled to what they demand,
65 cents a ton No effort will be made to
river mines, where no trouble is antici-
pated.
Great apprehension is felt as to what
course the large number of foreigners will
take in the strike. Many of these do not
speak English, and care nothing for the
land of their adoption. They do not con-
form to the customs of the English
speaking miners, and the latter have very
little influence over them.
One Of the points made by the operators
is that more mining companies have gone
into the hands Of the sheriff this year than
during any year in the history of the
trade. There are too many mines" said
Patrick Doland, mot too many miners.
1t is the surplus of operators and the low
wages that cause such suffering
The officials of the United Mine Work
ers of the Plttsburg district held meet
ing to-day and heard reports from vari-
Gus parts of the district. Each of these
indicated that the men would quit work.
The question Of securing sustenance for
the vast army of idle men is the most
serious one confronting the officials. The
organization has no money. The miners
have been unable to save anything, and
only those who have little garden patches
will be able TO live Independently during
the cessation of work.
The exodus from the fourth pool to
West Virginia has begun. The West Vir-
ginia operators are hiring miners as fast
as they apply for work. Those who wish
immunity from trouble seek safety by
flight into West Virginia, where the min
ers will work unmolested.
Scores of small mines in Beaver, Mercer,
Lawrence, Cambria and other counties,
which have been practically idle, will re-
sumo operation in fun and supply coal
to factories and shops in their district.
Taking the Cannelton coal field In Beaver
county into consideration, the Thompsons
run in Lawrence county, and the numer-
Gus mines In Mercer county, there Will
be no shut down Of Industries In these
counties During the strike Of 1894 all
these mines closed down.