The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-07-19

AVOID STRIFE.
Policy of the Coal Mine
Strikers Leaders.
President Ratchford Says
Strike Has nOEQual.
No Sign OF Setllem ,nt-0rg anized
Trad Said 10 Be Aliei.

Columbus. o., July 1o.-president
Ratchford yesterday summed UP the
strike situation as follows:
The manner in which the miners are
conducting themselves commends itself
10 the country and gives their officers re-
newed encouragement and strengthens
the belief that victory ultimately will
crown their efforts.
''The history OF Industrial strife has no
parallel to the present movement.
Deputy marshals, coal and iron police
and secret detectives have been at work,
but their presence has failed TO inclte
the miners 10 acts OF lawlessneEs or even
10 a resumstion OF work. Their pres
ence in peaceablc communities with a
chip on their shoulder gave s3me cause
for alarm and ordinarily would have
caused a resort to violence. But our
miners in this instance. proGung by the
experience OF the past. would neither
cause trouble themselves nor allow them
selves 60 become involved in trouble by
the action e others.
Reports from some OF the cities 10 the
effect that the ccal supply is not short
are only intended 10 discourage the min
ers. II the coal supply is not short. why
are prices advancing? Why is coal
worth 81 ton. and even 81 30 more than
II was two weeks ago? Why are the
railroads cor.ssca'ing coal shipments?
WHY are the shops and factories whose
wheels are put IN motion by the labor Of
the miner ceasing TO operator Why are
operators over all the states Offering
their miners n rate even higher than the
one demanded II they will only continue
at work. The reason is patent 10 all
coal IS scarce. Those who have II 20 sell
get fancy prices. and those who offer an
advance. particularly I'm West Virginia
and portions OF Illinois. do II for the
purpose cf checking and defeating THIS
movement and miners who do not know
this will realize II fully when the battle
Is over. II such operators have their way.
1--WE have started into this movement
feallZing fully the Importance the work
before us and the responsibility resting
upon us. and after two weeks OF sus-
pension. involving more than $50, 900 min
ers. we are well satisfied with the results.
Only those who ere best acquainted with
the condition Of the miners believe any
idea Of the extent Of this suspension and
It's paraly2ing effects upon the labor
and business of the country. II has not
yet reached its fun proportions. The
coming week will add 10000 men 10 the
idle column. The week following will
bring greater accessicns TO our ranks.
The movement Will continue 10 grow not
only from the point OF number involved.
but public opinion will become crystal
ized more fully and through the press OF
the country will demand solution OF
tthi great difficulty.
THE organized trades OF the country
are today In closer touch than ever be-
fore. Never in the history OF labor
troubles have they been found so closel-
allied. Our demand for living wages
and the determination of our miners 10
Hecure Il have brought expression OF
sympathy and more and material sup
port from almost every branch OF or
ganized labor whose efforts in our be-
half will endear them 10 all lovers OF
fairness and establish for the miners.
with their own efforts, a living rate Of
wages"