Evening journal., 1897-07-28
IG LABOR MEETING.
onference Of the Leaders OF
America at Wheeling.
lDEAVOUINC TO END THE STRIKE.


tives Detailing the Situation and Civ
ing the Causes That Led to the
suspension Of Work.
Wheeling. July 2S-What is declared |
4 be the most important and largest |
lthering of the heads of labor organ
ations of America ever held is now in |
ssion in this city 1t is the confer |
ice Of labor leaders called last week |
n " President NJ. d. Ratchford Of the |
nited Mine Workers and approved by |
resident Gompers of the American
ederation Of Labor. of which the min
IS organization is a part. The pur-
pse of the conference is to aid in a
peedy and successful termination of
be great coal strike. Sessions of the
Inference were held during the day
nd night, but until the night session
as held little had been accomplished
he following labor leaders are pres
ht:
Samuel Gompers Of New York. presi-
ant OF the American Federation of La
pr; Frank Morrison of Chicago, secre-
l-ay of the Federation; M. ID. Ratch-
5rd of Columbus. o.. president of the
nited Mine Workers of America; w.
. Pearse Of Columbus. o.. secretary of
he miners organizations p. II. Morris
ey of Peoria, Ills, grand master of
ne Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen;
". d. Mahon of Detroit. president OF
he Street Railway union; J. r. Sover-
gn. president of the Knights of Labor;
ames Fl. Sullivan Of Baltimore, presi-
ent of the International Association
f Decorators and Painters; j. B. Len
on of Bloomington, Ills. president of
ne Custom Tallors' union; J. f. Mul-
olland Of Toledo. president Of the In
irrational Union of Bicycle Workers;
esse Johnson of Nashville. president
& the International Printing Press
len's union; Theodore Perry Of Nash
ille. representing the International
typographical union; Robert Askew OF
shpeming. Mich. secretary Of the
-orthern Mineral Mine Workers; VIII
am Mckinney Of Lafayette, Ind, pres
lent Of the Printers union; ]. w. Rea
Chicago, president of the Painters
i nd Decorators union; G.. w. Perkins
Chicago. president Of the Interna-
ional Tobacco Workers union; Pat
ck Dolan Of Pittsburg, president OF
he Pittsburg district miners; NJ. NJ.
q iarland Of Pittsburg, president of the
n .malgamated Association of Iron,
.
i Il Chicago, assistant grand chief Of the
4 )rder OF Railway Conductors; f. p.
argent of Peoria, Ills. grand master
8 the Brotherhood Of Railway Fire
y zen: Val Fitzpatrick OF Columbus. o.,
& bird vice president of the Brotherhood
& Railway Trainmen; T. l.. Lewis OF
bridgeport. o.. secretary OF the Ohio
q miners organization; r. V. Debs Of
4 ,hicago. former head OF the American
Railway union; j. Kunzeler Of Pitts
4 burg. secretary Of the American Flint
n lass Workers union; w. II. Riley of
Wheeling, president of the National
n ;togie Workers league; NJ. p. Car
lex of Pittsburg. secretary OF the
hainters' organization; p. J. Couna-
han of Pittsburg. secretary and treas
a lrer Of the National Plumbers and Gas
Vitters' union.
Gompers Chosen Presiding Oaicer.
The first session of the conference was
N neid on the arrival of Messrs. Ratch-
ord and Pearse from Columbus. on
notion Of Mr.. Sovereign Samuel Com
,ers was chosen to preside. and Secre-
"a ary Morrison. also OF the Federation
vas made secretary.
Chairman Gompers then called upon
he miners representatives to detail the
g ituation. They were also asked to sug-
81 rest in what manner the other laboring
brganizaf flons could give their aid. Pres
dent Ratchford of the miners address
ID the conference at some length, stat
ng fully the causes that had led e
he suspension Of work in the bitumi-
nous regions and presented the condi-
ions of the miners who are taking par
n the strike He did not propose any.
thing in the way Of recommendation
las 10 what the organized labor of th'
country should do i'm aid of the strike
B preferring that important subject to b'
left to the consideration Of the confer
ence.
An appeal for aid was made in gen
oral way. w. c. Pearse. Patrick Dollar
and T. L. Lewis also addressed tn
81 conference, speaking in the same strain
II In the course of their remarks It wa
brought out that the miners believ
that the hardest fight should be mad
# at the works Of the Cleveland and Pitts
burg Coal company (De Armitts mines
IN the Pittsburg district This was con
sidered fully as important a point q
the West Virginia district. Al this poin
"a recess was taken.
Upon reassembling. the conferenc
again took up the strike question
Messrs Mahon. Rea and Debs, VIII
have been at work in the Fairmont dis
trict: Mr.. AslSew who is fresh from IN
Norfolk and Western territory. and MI
Sovereign addressed the meeting, tn
latter speaking at some length. TIL
conference was held behind close
doors. At its close it was given on
that a committee of five had been ap
pointed TO devise a plan for aiding tn
miners. which would be reported at tn
night session.
Telegrams pledging financial aid fo
the miners were received from nearl
all the heads of organizations that ha
been unable to attend on account of til
short notice. Mr.. Morrison said tha
the chief aim Of the conference was I
effect suspension Of work in Yves
Virginia and at the De Armitt mine
The conference has not yet come to tn
point of believing it necessary to as
the fremen, conductors and brakeme
TO refuse to haul West Virginia coal.
Injunction Refused.
Louisville. July 2S.-Judge John v