The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-03
Other Districts Have Already Re-
solved to obey the Mandate of
the General Officers
LONG STRUGGLE EXPECTED
RUINOUS COMPETITION SAID TO BE
THE CAUSE OF TIVE TROUBLE.
Views of President knight, of the In
ers of the Organization Say.

COLUMBUS, o., july "A general strike
of members of the United Mine Workers
organization of America has been ordered
for July by the national executive board,
whose headquarters are in this city and
also by the district presidents. as the result
of a meeting held here June a. 25 and 26.
The officers here say $4,000 men are in
Polved as proposed strikers. So far as any,
thing can be learned here from officials the
call for the Pittsburg meeting on Satur-
day is 10 decide how the strike is to be con-
Quoted in that district and to consider
plans to take care of the women and chill
dren during the strike. President Ratch-
ford says this is the best time to settle the
question Of wages, as during the summer
the men can make use of their little garden
plots in obtaining subsistence. The needs
of clothing are not so great as in winter.
The proposed scale is intended by the min
ers TO make work for miners more prof
liable to them in the Pittsburg district and
elsewhere. Pittsburg, it is claimed is pay
ing "a cents per ton and Ohio 81, To make
the differential what the Ohio operators
claim 1t ought TO be, they threaten TO re-
duce Ohio miners to 45 cents per ton, or 8
cents below Pittsburg. The miners pro-
pose, if possible, to raise Pittsburg prices,
so as to prevent reduction in Ohio to As,
duction here in case Pittsburg should keep
on lowering as Ohio lowered to maintain
the differential of cents. The order of the
executive board and district presidents id
given below
CIRCULAR.
Issued by Authority of National Execu.
tive Board and District Presidents.
Mine Workers VIII Govern Themselves
AcCOrdingly.
THE National Holiday, July Fourth, Rec.
commended as the Opportune Time for
a Demonstration in Favor of Secur-
ing Scale Rates for Mine Workers.
ITO the Mine Workers of the Country,
Fellow miners-At the last annual con-
ventiOn of the United Mine Workers OF
America, held in the city of Columbus o.,
Jan. 12-l6, 1897, after fun and careful re-
view OF the distressing conditions of our
craftsmen, brought on by the continued re-
auctions in our wages; in order to prevent
any further reduction from taking place,
and TO secure for us a living rate of wages
that will enable us to live as Americans
ought TO, as to realize from our labor
stiles of life, it was determined that the
scale of prices should be advanced TO the
Per ton.
Pennsylvania Pittsburg DISTRICT pick
mining ...;....'..'''......... go
0hio pek mining ,;:i, e0o
Illinois Grape Creek, pick mining 800
The rest Of the State Qllinois) the min
ing rate Of 1894.
Machine mining to he paid three-ffths
per ton of the price paid for pick mining
except in Indiana (bituminous) where the
price shall be four-fifths per ton of the
price paid for pick mining other mining
sections a corresponding increase In price
that will place them on a. relative basis.
1T was further agreed that the time for
the enforcement of the scale be left with
the national executive board and the dis
trict presidents, to determine when It
would be most opportune. Therefore, pur-
suant to the instructions of the national
convention, the national board and district
presidents met in Columbus on June 24-26
and decided that in their judgment the
time was opportune to suspend on July 4,
1897, for the enforcement of the before
mentioned scale rates. Therefore, mine
workers everywhere will take notice and
govern themselves accordingly.
"Fellow-min the success and effect
iveness Of this movement will depend upon
the unanimity and fidelity with which you,
observe and maintain the action Of your
THE signs of the times, as pointed OUT
by the press and by testimony of men
Versed in public affairs, are that business
is revving, that upward tendency in
The general business revival and fndusfriaI
Improvement which is earnestly proclaimed
we ought TO share, and II we do not at
tempt to share we will be false TO ourselves
and those dependent upon US. for remem-
Der that ii has ever been That they who
would be free must strike the first blow
themselves, and That eternal vigilance IS
the price of liberty Therefore, let our
Watchword be That labor is worthy of it's
hire, and mine workers are entitled 10 a
fair days pay for a fair days work,
I'm conclusion, would urge upon the
mine workers everywhere the necessity OF
constituting themselves into local commit
tees, for the purpose of seeing that action
is at once taken 10 give effect and MAIN
tain the objects sought TO be- accomplished.
The field Of operations Is large and 1t will
be an impossibility for the national and
district officers to attend to all points, con-
sequently local leaders are urged 10 as
sumo the responsibility and authority for
the successful contamination of our de-
sires. To insure success, great care should
be exercised by all that no breach OF the
peace occurs at any time or place or un-
der any circumstances. Bulletins will be
issued from time 10 time ia keep you in
formed of the progress of affairs"
The above is signed by members Of the
nationa lexecutive board and district pres
idents, as follows:
Fred Dilcher. r. L. Davis, J. H Ken
nedy Henry Stephenson, James NJ. Carson
and Patrick Dolan. members national ex-
ecutive board W. f. Farms w. c..
knight, James NJ. Carson and Patrick Do
lam district presidents. 1t is also signed
by VI. D. Ratchford. president national ex-
ecutive board; John Kane. vice president
national executive board, and w. G.
Peare secretary national executive boaRd
CAUSE OF THE STRIKE.