The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1897-09-02
FUNDS FOR MINERS
Scheme by Which Strikers
Hope to Raise Money.
THEY WILL START UP THE MINES

THEY WILL START UP THE MINES
Hope to Secure the Cooperation Of
Friendly Operators-Row Between
Workers and Non-Workers.
Pittsburg, Aug. Acknowledgements
in the coal mining situation in Pitts
burg district will be watched with I'M
usual interest this week. Both sides
were apparently at rest today, but it
was developed that at the conference
tomorrow there will probably be dis
ruption. By many it is believed that
M. D. Ratchford, president of the
miners organization, will not be pres
ent. 1t is claimed he will stick to his
assertion that he will not agree to arbi-
trate unless all the states involved are
represented. 1t is a well-known fact
that the operators of other states will
not join local operators in movement
for arbitration. If Ratchford is obdu-
rate, the conference will be useless.
This, in brief, is the situation and it
is apparent that both sides are making
preparations for movements that will
be to their benefit.
From reliable source it was learned
that if the operators start mines on the
lines laid down, other mines will also
be started by the miners. It is pro-
posed to select operators who are not
represented at the conference, and who
are friendly to the miners. They will
be given permission to mine coal at the
rate demanded and the coal stored. By
this means it is expected to get fund
from the union miners that happen to
be working, and with this fund pay ex
penses of fight against imported labor.
The miners officials are making ar
rangements to have fund on hand to
send foreign labor home just as fast as it
arrives. With mines operated under
the jurisdiction of the labor leaders,
and with friendly operators who desire
to make profit, they hope to have an
available and large fund. This plan
has been outlined, and will be submit
ted to the national officials if the con
ference proves a failure.
Religious services were held in the
several camps today, and all were
largely attended. Notwithstanding the
religious air pervading the camp, con-
f1ict between workers and strikers took
place in the afternoon, during which
three strikers were badly hurt, but none
are in serious condition. Five of the
men who are working for the New
York & Cleveland Gas Coal Company
this afternoon went to w. A. Semon's
boarding house, half mile from Oak
Hill tipple, where a number of strikers
are quartered, for the purpose of per-
suading the strikers to 60 to work. The
meeting was a stormy one. and resulted
in Antonio Podasky being shot near
the heart. the bullet going nearly.
through his body. Gonronng Pimold
was shot in the eye and Bostiste Dali
meise was cut with razor The in
jured men are all strikers. This was
the only disturbance recorded at the
camps today. The aggressive workmen
escaped before the men in the Oak Hill
camp were aware Of the fight.
The report that Sandy Greek camp
will be abandoned is denied by the
strikers today, and they say that the
men will be sent there from Plum Creek
and Turtle Creek.
In addition to the general missionary
work for the week, the leaders have de-
cided to direct especial work to the pre-
vention of operations at the Sandy
Creek mine The strikers say they
will resume their marching tactics in
the morning, claiming that under the
ruling of Judge Golf, in the West Vir-
ginia cases, they are given this right.
Samuel DeArmitt says tonight that
$50 to It's men will be at work in the
Plum Creek mine tomorrow.
It is announced that the New York
& Cleveland Gas Coal Company will
make eight evictions tomorrow from
different company houses. It is not
probable there will be any trouble.
The sheriff does not say tonight what
course he will pursue in the morning
should marching begin, but thinks he
is ready to meet every emergency.
Sympathy for the strikers by the
farmers and citizens is not diminishing
in the least. Today there were about
700 visitors to the camp from Sandy
creek, and many farmers who came
brought wagonloads of provisions
Citizens of New Texas sent word that
they had plenty of food for the men and
wanted them to call on them when
needed.
Ratchford's Expectations.
Columbus, O., Aug. 24.-President
Ratchford said tonight before leaving
P;ttshurp that he expected as the re-