The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-20
OFFER TO STRIKERS
PITTSBURG DISTRICT OPERATORS
WILLING To ARBITRATE.
They Make a Proposal to the Mine
Workers Union Which Is Re-
garded as an UItimatum.
DIGGERS TO BE IMPORTED
AND THE PITS OPENED If ARBITRA-
TION Is NOT ACCEPTED.
RatchfOrd and Other Labor Leaders
Preparing for Grand Coup, Ac-
cOrding TO Reports.

tors followed up their meeting OF last nlgHt
by a conference this afternoon, which was
kept secret until this evening. The meeting
was well attended and permanent or
ganization was effected. The fact that the
coal operators of the Pittsburg district
have not had an organization for more
than year was talked over, and it was
decided to form an organization for the
special purpose of breaking tho strike.
Peter NJ Hitchcock, president of the Moon
Run Coal Company. was made president;
c. M. Baine of Morgan, Moore & Baine
was chosen secretary, and j. G. Dysart, of
the Charters Block Coal Company, treas
urer. The aggregate output represented at
the meeting to-day was five million tons a
year. An agreement was drawn up which
provides that the signers shall pay assess
ments based on the producing capacity of
their mines to a fund to be raised for the
purpose of paying the expenses of the
strike. The telephone was kept busy all
afternoon, and many Pittsburg operators
sent word that they would sign, even
though not present at the meeting. A COM
mittee Of seven was appointed to carry on
the campaign.
Col w. p. Rend, after the meeting said;
1--WE propose to operate our mines, and if
. our men will not work, then others will
take their places. / would much rather
that conference be held and the troubles
adjusted before we take the step we intend
to. which. just as sure the sun rises,
will be the means of operating the mines
at our pleasure
1t was announced tonight that either
arbitration will settle the strike or the
mines will be started with imported men.
Tomorrow will decide which course shall
he rbo "
in favor of arbitration in preference to a
forcible opening of their mines. This was
evidenced to-day when Messrs. Murray and
Osborne representing the meeting, wired
National President Ratchford at Columbus
asking If Saturday next would be suitable
for conference at Pittsburg of both sides
The Rend and Robbins interests last night
telegraphed Ratchford asking him to come
to Pittsburg to try and settle the strike
District President Dolan followed the tel
egram to Columbus, and is endeavoring by
personal persuasion to bring about such a
meeting. Dolan to-day telegraphed that
Ratchford was willing to confer but pre-
ferred not to meet with the Pittsburg op-
orators only, but an interstate representa-
ton. The telegram sent by the meeting to-
day insisted that Indiana and Illinois would
not consent to conference and it now re-
mains with President Ratchford to say
whether or not he will meet with the Pitts
burg operators and trust to the others to
follow the decision there made.
1t is believed that a conference will be
held here on Saturday, because just after
the session of the operators had adjourned
Colonel Rend received telegram from
his son Joseph, who is in Columbus saying:
'Dolan says Saturday was selected for con-
20 hfNra
sion Tomorrow
1t is inferred from this that Ratchford
mas concluded to attend the conference
When Mr. Dolan went to Columbus last
night he was given absolute authority by
Rend, RobbinS and others to arrange for
unqualf1ed arbitration, and he has been
working to this end all day Should the ar
bltration meeting not be arranged for it
was decided by the operators at their meet
ing Tonight that immediate preparations
Tor starting their mines nonunion shall he
begun The meeting adjourned until to-
morrow morning to give time for Ratchford
10 answer ofhcfally. Should Ratchford's re-
ply De adverse, mines will be, started in a
rev days Machine mines will be selected
Tor the initial movement, as none of the
PICK mine owners care for hostilities to be-
gin at their mines From expressions used
py the operators tonight they are more de-
peaceably or otherwise.
me striking campers at Plum Creek and
LurtIe Creek marched again to-day after
the programme arranged, in couples 100 feet
apart Inc deputies formed a line across
the road and warned them back as fast as
each pair came up. Each side wanted the
other TO take the aggressive, but both fac
IONS were wary and neither advanced be-
yond certain point. The strikers then re-
managed to escape the deputies and get
among some of the miners in the COMPANIES
houses doing considerable missionary work
II was decided to march again Tomorrow
but 1T is doubtful If they will have any her ,
ter success than they had to-day. The dep
uties nave been gradually closing in on the
70 do -
until the men will not be allowed to leave
the camp This would virtually place them
under arrest.
The women are doing good missionary
work, although they did not march as antic-
1pated. They are still making ii as uncom-
Portable for the working miners and DEM
ties they know how If the attemnt 70
pass the deputies is successful in the morn
ing the women will join the ranks on Sat
The farmers from the surrounding conn
try contributed large donations of provi-
sions and garden truck to the campers to-
gay Inc reduction in the camp forces
has given a new lease of life to the food
supply and it will last for some DAYS TO
come in the present state. The number Of
men now in the two camps is 175. MANY Of
the men who were discharged from active
service are still in the neighborhood of the
camp Some have started across the coun-
Try TO their homes and others are endeav-
orlhg TO secure work in their midst An
other meeting at Plum Creek is talked of
anu may De held at the camp either to-
morrow or Monday night. 1t will be in the
nature of an outside demonstration, as
many township residents will be present
The officials of the New York and Cleye-
tand Gas Coal Company are jubilant to-day
ana say II their men are left alone the
mines Will be soon in full operation SUI
perlntendent De Armitt would not say how
much the output was increased to-day but
sald IL was substantial. Eight cars of lumn
ana slack was mined at Plum Creek and
ABOUT twelve cars at Turtle Creek
AS a result of Cameron Millers efforts the
Pardee mines, in the Mercer field were
shut down to-day. They employ over 100
men ana nave daily capacity of $50 tons
Samuel De Armitt Arrested.
PITTSBURG. Aug 19-Samuel De Ar
mitt, brother of William P. De Armitt. who
has been active in the interest of the New
York and Cleveland Gas Coal COMPANY
during the strike, was finally arrested this
afternoon on the several charges of assault
larceny and disorderly conduct. warrants
on which were issued several DAYS ago bnt
which could not be served because De Ar
mitt was under the protection of the sher-
ifs deputies. The suits are brought bv
former employees of the company and their
wives and have been noticed in these dis
patches. Mr.. De Armitt was taken before
an alderman and gave bail in 81 900 for
court
Advance to BE Asked.
REYNOLDSVILLE, Pa, Aug. 19.-At a
meeting of about one thousand miners and