The San Francisco call., 1897-07-14
Everything Seems in the
Mems Favor and Ratch-
ford Is Jubilant.
DEBS TO JOIN THE FORCE OF
ORGANIZ Frs.
Non-Union Workers Are Attacked
at Danville, ILL.,, and Fierce
Battle Results.

COLUMBUS, OHIO, July 13.-President
Ratchford of the Miners Union is jubilant
to- light over the encouraging news of 10.
day. One telegram said that the miners
of Sullivan County, Indiana, had joined
the strike. RaIchford saws the news from
the West Virginia coaltields is most favor
able and he is most confident that the
miners will eventually come out.
The most important action of the
miners officials o-day was the selec-
ton of SIX lab Dor leaders to push the cam
paign in West Virginia. Eugene V. Debs
will arrive o-morrow and Ratchford is
most likely to send him 10 West Virginia
also
CLEVELAND, OHIO. July 13.-W1thin
a short time developments of a definite
character are expected to take place in
the West Virginia coal fields. A leading
operator received a long. distance tele-
phone Message at 10 O'Clock this morning
stating that nine organizers had just LETT
Pittsb burg for the West Virginia coal fields.
A person who occupies a high official
position in the Mine workers Union was
at the Pittsburg end of the telephone.
You may look for something startling
in that direction within the next forty
eight hours he said. Reliable ad-
vices which | have received this morn
ing convince me that the West Virginia
miners will come out. All they wait
for is little urging from the union. l
am free 10 confess to you that while l
expected many men would come out
never hoped for such a complete and
overwhelming victory as this.
The foregoing message was repeated to
a reporter who was standing at hand by
the operator who received it.
When the point is re ached thatthe coal
mine operators refuse to talk for pubIi-
catlop,' the situation is grave indeed.
The operators now urge upon their inter-
viewers that under no circumstances must
their names be used in connection with
information supplied. A leading operator
made plain statenenr--a startling state
ment in fact--this morning, but insisted
his name must not be used.
''Is there not some paris of your state
ment which l may accredit 10 your"
asked the reporter.
''No. You see, if l talked for publica-
ton | would have to say to you just the
opposite of what have said. You appre-
ciale that there are many reasons why L
would not want my name to appear as
ad mitting all these iacts."
Since Saturday the coal strike has as
sumed very grave aspect, but full real
ization OF the change did not reach Cleve-
land operators and dealers until to-day.
Excepting a few operators who had some
inside information they were disposed 10
speak lightly of the matter and loudly de-
clare that there was on hand more than
enough coal 10 supply the country regard
less of the outcome of the strike.
To-day all this seeming or pretended
confidence has disappeared. Several
operators went to Pittsburg yesterday to-
attend the voluntary conference OF the
State arbitrators.
One OF these, whose knowledge of the
premises is above question, said to-day:
THE situation l. very grave, and |
anticipate some very startling develop
ments within the next torty-eight
hours. | b,lieve the West Virginia
miners will come out. and that will make
the tie-up practically complete. The
strikers Will then concentrate ther efforts
on the De Armitt men. A small amount
of coal is now coming from the mines
along the Pennsylvania mine line and
from the coke regions, but 1t is in COM
paratively insignificant quantities. I
mink it will be shut off entirely soon.
F-om what 1 could learn yesterday at
Pittsburp. do not hesitate to say that in
nv belief the railroads will hesitate to
haul West Virginia and De Armitt
mines coal. The engineers and trainmen
are regarding the situation with lowering
brows, P. NJ. Arthur's statement to the
contrary Notwithstanding
1.-The supply of coal on hand is very
short, and | look for another sharp ad-
vance in prices shortly. Saturday coal
which was loaded at Pittsburg for 81 25 to
81 so, f. O. b., is now held at 81 IS. Deliv-
cred to Cleveland the price is 81 %. Chi
cago is buying freely, and paying high
prices. do not think the supply will
hold out more than week longer"
]. ]. Phillips received a telegram from
Pennington, w. Va. this afternoon as
follows:
miners all went out on strike here this
m orning."
File Bennington is an important point in
the West Virginia coalfields, and local
operators believe that the strike will now
spread in West Virginia.