The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1897-07-16
A PLAN NJ UNIFORM PRICES
rs STRONGLY FAVORED BY BOTH
NDEs
Pending Negotiata 'ons, the Miners
Will See to it That No Coal
Il Du g

Element of the miners st vike on basis
of uniformity Of prices a. I'D conditions
in the Pittsburg district is regarded al
almost foregone conclusio by the Ar
bitration Commissioners, m any opera
tors have no confidence in the plan. They
claim it is impossible to get The opera
tors of the Pennsylvania roa d to con-
sent to pay the same scale as may be
decided upon at the Pitteburg district.
Members of the joint board spent the
entire morning discussing the true uni
formity proposed by President Dearmitt
and believe the plan can soon be estab-
lished.
Secretary Bishop of Ohio said that
when the question was settled in Pitts
burg the rates in other mining states
would easily be adjusted.
General Little is enthusiastic over the
movement, and said the list of operators
favoring the uniformity plan would be
headed by Francis L. Robbins and w.
P. De Armitt, representing the largest
interests in the Pittsburg district
1t is not the arbitrators' intention to
call meeting of the operators, as that
might open old sores and create clash
which could not be subdued The oper-
ators are to be kept as far apart as pos
sible, and will only be asked to sign the
document and live up to the agreement.
If this is accomplished the miners
officials say that the price of mining
can easily be settled on even higher
basis than SO cents. Pending the Bego-
tiations the miners leaders will con-
tinue their fight and are determined to
keep all the mines closed until the ad-
vance is generally granted or the differ
ences settled on the true uniformity
basis.
This has been a day devoted to hard
work on the part of the joint arbitration
commission in their efforts to secure
true uniformity in the district, as sug-
gested by w. P. De Armitt ard all ex-
press themselves as we'll satisfied with
the progress made. Two of the largest
operators in the state, W. P. De Armitt
and Francis l. Robinson, have consent
ed to head the list, and the commission
-
will soon fall in line.
1t is claimed by the miners officials,
however, that the understanding was
that the agreement meant 50 per cent
of the output of the district, whereas it
is now said to mean 95 per cent of the
operators. They say it will be absolute
ly impossible to get 95 per cent of the
operators, as there are a great many
operators mining on small scale. This
evening the commission sent telegram
to Senator Hanna asking him to lerd
his assistance in having the agreement
adopted.
The situation in the district among the
miners remains unchanged.
According to the miners officials the
operators have closed the company
stores all over the district and supplies
to the men have been cut Off This leaves
the miners dependent upon the fruits
of forage and charity.
In one or two agricultural communi-
ties where the miners are on strike the
farmers have invited the strikers to or
ganize committees and send them with
wagon into the surrounding country
to solicit rather than to confiscate sup
plies. The strikers are taking full ad-
vantage of the invitation Quiet reigned
through the Pittsburg district, truce
seeming to prevail pending the outcome
Of the peace negotiations.
STRIKERS BULLETIN
COLUMBUS, O., July 15.-President
Ratchford and Secretary Pearce have is
sued an official bulletin, No. 1, to the
| nf "a cit t1o
ton. The bulletin says:
"Our fight for living wages now COW
ers eight states of the union.
1.-The second week and the eighth day
of our suspension brings with it greater
assurance of ultimate victory than any
previous day.
1.-THE state and number of the miners
involved are as follows: Western Penn
sylvania, fully 10000 miners have Joined
us, which makes suspension almost
unanimous in the district
"Ohio-Twenty- eight thousand miners
have laid down their tools in their de-
mand for living wages, making the sus'
pension general except a few local mines
'Indiana-Eight thousand have Joined
the march for living wages.
"Illinos-Reports from this state are
| to the effect that the suspension is prac-
| tically general.
"West Virginia-About 5000 miner.
have Joined the movement.
Kentucky and Tenressee-About 40O'
miners have suspended, others may BIZ
expected to follow.
"Kansas-Miners are all at work, blu
will hold convention on Saturday. 1
| is expected that they will also suspend
| ALA bama-Reports indicate that 300
miners or more have suspended"
| MINERS WAGES.
Ratchford has mailed personal request
| to miners throughout the country ask
| ing for statements regarding the wage
they receive, for publication for the ben
eft of the public. Thirtynine miners il
the Sandy Creek Valley have beef
the wages of these men for each tw'
weeks have averaged $5.74 each. Tn
total earnings were $2239S and for tn
same period their Indebtedness to tn
4 operators for rent, provisions, minini
materials, etc, aggregated S619.29 leav
| ing them in debt to their employers il
| the sum of S396.71. President Ratchfor
says this is a fair sample of the condi
ton Of the miners.
| A SCHEME FOR DELAY.
CLEVELAND, July 15.-Cleveian
operators regard Dearnitt' true uni