The herald., 1897-07-06
THEWAGEWAR
Formally Begun by Coal
Miners
THE NUMBER OF MEN INVOLVED
CANNOT BE TOLD UNTIL THIS
MORNING
Public Men and Large Employers OF
of Labor Express Their Opinion
Of Arbitration
Associated Press Special Wire.

Associated Press Special Wire.
PITTSBURG. Pa, July 5.-The
great wage struggle of the coal
miners was inaugurated throughout this
district today. but it will be impossible
to tell anything about the situation,
as this is general and work Is suspended
in all mines. Meetings will be held in
nearly every settlement, but the effect
cannot be determined until Tuesday. 1t
is expected that an effort will be made
to convince the miners that by reason
of the suspension being general victory
must follow.
OPINIONS OF PUBLIC MEN
NEW YORK, July 5.-The journal and
Advertiser this morning publishes spe-
cial dispatches giving the following opin-
ions of public men regarding the miners
strike and the possibilities of arbitration:
Senator Hanna says: II deprecate
that the coal-mining trouble should come
at this time, when the conditions of the
trade are such as seem to make it impos
sible ito secure favorable consideration
of the demands. The rates of wages are
uU6Qudl dIlOuS IHlHcS III tSltdip
trcts, which is unfair to the men. This
is the first point to be adjusted at once
and fairly settled. AS soon as business
revives and an increased demand for
coal will justify it, the miners should
have their full share of the benefits, and
/ believe they will secure it without
strike. am always in favor of arbitra-
ton In the settlement of difficulties be-
their I hone
that such a course will be pursued in this
instance ais will bring results satisfac-
tory to both sides"
Senator Fairbanks said: IT regret
that any differences should have arisen
between the coal operators and the min
ers. 1t is to be hoped that wise counsels
may prevail and that an early settlement
of the disputed questions may be made
upon fair and honorable terms. The
strike will unfavorably affect business
more or less for the time being. There
are evidences on all sides of returning
prosperity and anything that arises
which may tend to delay the early re-
turn of normal commercial conditions is
to be deplored. 1t would seem that there
is wisdom and patriotism enough among
all parties concerned to enable them to
unite upon some method of arbitration
s whereby a speedy settlement may be
reached and suffering and distress there
by averted."
Senator Turpie says: Neither Con-
gress nor the President has any author
dty, and consequently could not sit as
board of arbitration. l think that arbi-
tration will be the solution of all labor
troubles some time, but it must be con-
Quoted under Federal authority Some
of the States have laws providing for
the appointment of arbitration boards
to settle strikes. and lockouts, but as
many of these troubles extend through
more than one State, one board could not
deal with the matter outside of its own
jurisdiction.'
Senator Lindsay says: "Inasmuch as
the strike itself is to extend through six
States and affect as many more, believe
the proposition looking to arbitration to
be in the nature of a wise and humane
effort to bring about settlement of the
present difficulties, with none of the at
tendant horrors that follow prolonged
strike"
Secretary of State Sherman says:
"Arbitration is always the best means of
solving such complications as the min
ers' strike when the parties concerned
are willing to arbitrate. Inc question
of offering arbitration, I think, is one
for Congress"
Acknowledgement McKenna says:
sThe strike looks formidable now, but
may soon be settled by compromise or,
as other strikes have been settled, by one
side O rthe other yielding. l know of no
law that authorizes the general govern
ment to interfere between employer
and employe in a matter of this partic-
ular kind. No request has been made to-
the administration, so far as l know, by
either side to arbitrate between the mine
owners and the miners"
INDORSED THE STRIKE
COLUMBUS, July 5.-The miners at
Gloucester, Ohio, have indorsed the
strike.
NOT QUIT WORK.
PEORIA, July $50 far as learned
none of the miners in this vicinity have
quit work yet, or signified their inten-
tion of doing so.
OTTUMWA, July 5.-The miners in
this district are working and no strike
is anticipated. They are poorly organ
lied.
Aimless Exploring