, 1897-09-22
IT'S ENDED At LAST.
PRESIDENT RATCHFORD ANNOUN.
CES THE END OF THE BITUM-
NOUS COAL STRIKE.
And Outlines the General S;tuation-In
Future 1t is Hoped That Differences
viii Be Settled Amicably-Strikers
Have Gained a Great Victory BM
Do Not Claim All Credit.

~ wv SlpihA AL SlColt.
Washington, Sept. 21.-M. D. Ratch-
ford. president OF the Uni.ed Mine Work
ers of America, who is here to attend u
special meeting OF the officers of the Fed
GRAFTON of Labor. gave the following
authorized statement to the Associated
Press today:
Today will see about $4,000 miners
resume work in the bituminous GOA
fields OF yhe central states. The strike
generally ends today. This is the mid
die OF the 18th week Of its duration. 1t
was brought to a close at our convention
held az Columbus, Ohio. on the Sth to
the 1lth OF the present month. when it
was decided that 10 days time be given
10 allow the miners and operators to
come together in Illinois and West Vir,
ginia to meet the price fixed-65 cents a
ION in Pittsburg. Sc cents in Ohio and
Indiana. the same to continue till the
end CO December.
The mining situation is not likely to
become disturbed again until the begin
ming Of mex year. at which time We hope
TO be able to settle wage differences
amicably and without the necessity of a
strike.
1T is well understood hat the fight
will continue from the present time in
all fields and agains; all operators who
refuse to meet the rates. The creates,
trouble will be found in West Virginia
and a portion OF Illinois. | am still hope
ful. however. the producers in those
fields will conform to the change and put
their mines in operation. Failing to do
lhis. We will fight them as we have done
until ,he beginning of next year. at
which time it is said their present con,
tracts will expire.
Il am we'll satisfied with the agree
ment reached, and feel that it is the
greatest victory gained by the trades
unions for years. OF course, the vic.
cory is not altogether one Of the miners.
while they have done the striking
trades unions and organized bodies have
supplied the necessaries. without which
he miners could not possibly succeed.
Il is a victory for organized labor, and
not for any particular trade. and we wan,
cur friends who have helped us to feel
that 1t is their victory as well as ours,
| feel very grateful for the assistance
given us by the American Federation OF
Labor and the kindly disposition shown
us at al! times by Mr.. Gompers and the
members OF his executive committee"
Mr.. Ratchford was asked as to the
situation in West Virginia and Illinois.
He said:
MY advices from West Virginia are
to the effect that our miners are stand
ing firm, are well pleased with the agree
ment reached, and evince a determine.
ton to fight their battle to the end. Our
purpose is to bring he miners and op-
orators together in a joint convention
hat a uniform mining price may be
fixed and paid for the same vein Of Goa
and a fair relative price for other veins
within the state. In short, fix a mining
rate that will give to West Virginia fair
competing opportunities and nothing
more.
"As to Illinois. a convention Of Illinois
miners is being held now. l have moi
had any advices from there but can safe.
iy predict what their action will be. They
will continue the struggle until relative
prices are established. The greatest diff
Guilty in the way Of the advance in the
tracts were taken last spring, based up
on a low mining rate. as they were in
Pi;tsburg and elsewhere. But this is a
matter that we cannot be responsible for.
is a matter OF business to the operator
himself. No nan has a right to sell an
other mans labor a year in advance
without consulting the laborer. While
we have always deferred TO the claims Of
men along these lines. the time has come
when no further consideration a bt
given them because the wages paid to the
miner are below the living point and TIT
preservation OF life takes precedence ovel
business affairs.
The fixing Of a mining rate that viii
give fair competing opportunities is the
object OF the miners organization every
where. We have been working to brinl
bhe operators OF the several states to-
gether with this end in view. Though
our efforts have been futile we will con
tinue to advocate that policy, believing
there is but one sure way OF keeping
down strikes and disputes which are O
no advantage to either side, and that !
why miners and operators interestet
from the various states should meet an
nually, mutually fix prices for each dis
trict that are fair and just to each part!
to the agreement and observe 1t faith
fully until a subsequent agreement take
its place. During the eight years tina
this system was Ia vogue strikes an'
disturbances Of general character wer
unknown. and the canses which nv'
rise to them can again BE- removed u
soon ~ the operators Mtaes01sd will se'
their interests in this ligAt."