Birmingham state herald., 1897-07-10
CRITICAL STAGE REACHED Both Sides Recognize This in
 the Great Strike. SITUATION VERY SERIOUS At Cleveland Where Business Is at a Stand
 still-Tennessse Miners Are i1f
 on Strike.

Pittsburg, July 9.-The lines arg tight ening in all sections of the Pittsburg min ing district, with the exception of a few spots. The diggers of he New York and Cleveland Gas Coal company are still working, but President Dolan and Sec retary Warner are preparing for per sonal effort at that point. It is probable this attempt will be made Saturday or Sunday, the time not ye, being agre. q upon. MT. Dolan was at Brookhaven, to- day strengthening his cause, and will visit Sulphur mines before returning. Complaints are pouring into the miners headquarters. One of them written by a miner says the operators are taking un- fair means 70 whip the miners: that they are influencing the boarding house keep- CTS against them, and arz also threatenh ing the men with families with landlords warrants and ejectment if they do not return to work. From an operator it is learned that 4he mines of the Washing ton Coal company in Siiickney Hollow are working full time, and yes- -rday thirteen loaf of coal were sent to Cleveland, where there is said to be a scarcity. These mines are on the Pittsburg and Yioghenny railGCad. lif'
 The best information puts the ra;e of the strike in this dietrict about com plete with the exception of the Pittsburg. New York and Cleveland company, five of the small mines and several others in the fourth pool. It s=ems that the off, cials are having more trouble in getting the miners of the upper river out than in any other portion of the territory. It Is so with that of the Dsarmitt mine, the evil point of the district. Strong ef- forts will b. made this week by Prest- dent Dolan to get all the river diggers into the movement. By his efforts yes Oft h atrfN N.as went out. Conditions on the Mononga- hela district indicate that many miners of that section hav= weakened and have returned to work, with prospects of more following the same exa mple before long. The Chamoni mines of the Tide Coal com- pany, the mines of the Charles Je'tt com pany and ths Samuel O'Neill mines at Fayette, and Jones' mines at Mononga- hela were at work today. This change of affairs Is causing much excitement in the valley.
 A special from Fayette says: Crowds of idle miners are gathering and unless the miners of those places in operation lay down their tools at once 1t is said a march of miners beginning at Fayette with brass band leading will be made and every man persuaded to quit work.
 ''The miners spoken to were in dead earnest and will not rest until every digger comes out and joins in the general strike. The serious condition of affairs in the valley has been made known to the miners officials and President Dolan will probably arrange for mass meeting at Lucyville or Monongahela within the next twenty -four hours.'
 miner from the district who was at headquarters today said it was neces- sary to draw all the miners of that sec ticn out if success was desired. A
 The miners and operators realize that this is crucial stage in the strike. e-9
 Up to the present time not a man has quit at the mines of he New York and Cleveland Gas Coal company, and none are expected to join the strikers. H9h'
 President w. s. Dearmitt says the men are perfectly satisfied with the price and conditions. They are receiving 10 cents ton above their contract. Trouble is expected over the Wheeling division tomorrow as 1t is pay day. It is estimated fully $4,000 will be paid out in cash. An l. effort will be made by some operathrs and railway officials to have the sab )ns in Finlayville closed tomorrow, claimilg g there will be rioting if the men who arc paid money patronize these places. TheFe arc many foreigners employed at the mines and they are considered dangerHus when under the influence of liquor. pnL7
 The mines on the Pennsylvania railroad are running their fullest capacity and operators in need of coal are making heavy purchases. One operator pui.u chased 150 cars yesterday from the Key stone Coal and Coke company The shortage is severely felt by the railroads.