The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-08-28

OPERATORS ON THE ALERT
Making Preparations To Open
Up Their Mines.
NOT TO BE CAUGHT MAPPING
Railroads To Cooperate With Them in Securing
Labor-0pinions of Mine officials.
Ratchford Again Talks.
NOT TO BE CAUGHT MAPPING

Pittsburg, Aug. 27.-The coal operators
of the Pittsburg district have not been
asleep during the past few days.. The
impression in certain circles that there
would be no attempt to start the mines
seems to have been established for pur-
pose and that purpose was to divert the
attention of the miners officials. 1t has
been definitely decided to start several
mines, along the Wheeling division of the
Baltimore &. Ohio railway. The prelimi-
naries were completed and decisive
move5ean be expected at almost any time.
1t was given out that the Cleveland oper-
ators had gone to- their homes for the
ostensible purpose of awaiting the result
of the. st. Louis convention. Some of
them went, but others did not. Those re-
naming behind were members Of the
newly appointed committee whose duty it
is to perfect arrangements for starting
some of the mines
One of the first moves will be to get
in touch with their companies. The Of
fieials of the railroads agreed to cooper
ate with the operators in bringing about,
if possible, an era of activity in the in
dustry of coal producing in the Pittsburg
district. 1t was made very apparent that
the railroads were losing a large amount
ers with the operators. The question OF
getting imported labor into this district
was discussed and railroad companies
agreed to share their portion of the out
lay. After this the matter of hiring i'm
ported labor was taken charge of by a
special committee. Just whey they VIII
be brought into the district could not be
learned.
Ulne of the principal reasons for se,eet-
ing the Wheeling diy.slon of the Baltimore
aY1 ,af4 - p "a
and unloaded in close proximity Lo tne
pit mouths. They can also be brought
into the district from he south by way
of Wheeling, and would not have to be
transported through very much OF the
Pil sburg district. Ano her reason ad-
lvanced is that miners along this road
have been supplying coal for the loco
motives of tlhe railroad, and If coal is net
furnished United States mail trains could
.netAbe run ard the whele CT the national
government would be in lerfered with.
sFrCteCion would be forthcoming with
no cost imposed on the operators, as the
goVernmenl5 would be bound to protect
and maintain its property at TITS own ex-
.pense. These plans have all been com
.pletad and the work is well under way.
/ Pa rick Dolan shook his head when the
QUESTION of stalling the mines by the op-
.eartors was preached today.
lido net believe they will make such
an attempt he said. 81 am of the op.n-
w
5venSion at 81. Louis. Just now it would
Ibe folly to start the mines in this dis
tltct with imported men. YET they may
be sincere in their Intentions"
.GeBsral Secretary Gardner does not be-
lieve "A general strike will be stalI.sd at
st. %is. -~Id said 1T is not necessary as
the miners are satisfied with the progress
OF ira min frs' strike
Henry FccTshsim is trying to get his
nlkn to go to work at the 50 cents rate.
He says they would do so, but are afraid
of possible violence.
Barney & Sweaney's detective agency
ON Fourth avsnue has been hiring men
to guard the mires and is said ito have Sc
cured over 1000.
James JOKES & Sons posted notices at
their Castleburg and IVY mines this after
lTSon to this effect that the mines would be
started up ait the 69-cent rate Whenever
the men are willing to go to work. About
500 minlsir1s are affected, and meeting
will likely be heGd to consider the propo-
sition.