The San Francisco call., 1897-07-22
West Virginia Miners
Are Returning to
Work.
Still the Union Leaders Say
the Fight Has Only
Just Begun.
Debs Discouraged Over His Failure,
While Operators Are More
Confident Than Ever.

WHEELING, W. Va, July 2L.-To all
appearances the strike cf West Virginia
coal-miners IS broken. Fifty more men
returned to work at the Monongahela
mines to-day, and nine other plants i'll
the district are working full time. In the
southern part of the State the Norfolk
Western operators have asked for more
cars, and they are hiring all the diggers
applying.
In spite of the seemingly indisputable
fact that the strike has collapsed union
miners say that ii is only the beginning OF
the struggle in West Virginia. In the
Panhandle district and places in the Fair
mont field the few men who are out are
becoming restless and ugly.
Tomorrow 100 strikers from Mounds
vile will march to the Boggs Run mine,
near this city, with a number of agitators.
The Boggs Run mines we're the scene of
disorder in 1894. The stories circulated
about troops having been asked for are
groundless.
A new union was organized this after
noon among the miners of the Palatine
and Aurora companies. The most con-
seryauve estimates place the number OF
cahontas district, where Sovereign was
suppressed a day or so ago, the men re-
sent the efforts of the agitators. Speaking
of the Sovereign incident, Debs said to-
day: I'VE are no better than the slaves OF
Russia. Sovereigns fate will strengthen
the Social Democracy"
The threat OF the agitators that the fight
has just begun does not appear alarming
to the operators, VINO declare that the
whole State Is open.
ALTOONA, Pa, July 21.-The situa-
ton at GaIlitzin is becoming more serious
daily. The Mitchell Coal and Coke Com
pany asked for an injunction from the
Cambria County Court to-day to restrain
the striking miners from overt acts and to
allow the company to run its own affairs.
The petition asks that the striking miners
be restrained from any act of violence
toward the com pany or any of its en-
ployes. Judge Bell of Blair County pre-
sided. The Injunction was granted, and
the attorneys for the company will ask
for its continuance on Saturday. In addi-
ton to the injunction the Mitchell Com
pany desires payment of money to COM
pensate for its outlay IN defending its
property and employees.
In case the miners and strikers should
violate the injunction they will be arrest
ed for contempt The Sheriff served the
injunction on the strikers tonight.
COLUMBUS, OHIO, June 21.-When
the National executive board of nlne-
workers convened to-day a feeling or de-
preston was noticeable. 1t was found
that Debs was on the point of abandoning
West Virginia because of lack of co-opera-
tion on the part of the m,nars' officials.
A telegram was sent to stop him, and as
surance was given that President Ra1cb-
ford ana other officials would 60 to West
Virginia ana personally make an effort to
get out the miners. The officials admit
ted that Debs was right when he said III
is preposterous to hope to win the strike
without West Virginia. The State pro-
duCes enough coal to provide for the whole
of America" !"
The executive board adjourned after a
decision 10 make last effort to capture
West Virginia before acknowledging
themselves defeated. President Ratch-
ford left to-nieht for Fairmont President
Farms of the Ohio miners and President
knight of the Indiana miners also left to-
night for Cooper, w. Va.
CLEVELAND, OHIO, July 2L - The
Cleveland Rolling Mil Company, the
third largest in the United States, has
closed down entirely for want of fuel
Four thousand men are thrown out of en-
ployment.