The true northerner., 1897-07-21
MOVED BY HUNGER.
starving Miners ON the March fn
Pennsylvanin.

|
of Sunday in the Pittsburgh coal min
ing district indicate that there is
trouble ahead. The strike has been on
| for two weeks, with no cause for alarm
in any quarter, but Sunday the pangs of
hunger and mutterings OF discomfort
have taken tangible form, and before
long 1000 miners will have marched on
Canonsburg, the objective point be-
ing the Boone and Allison mines. A few
days ago the operators of those mines
made u requisition on the sheriff OF
Washington county for additional dep
uties. 1t is supposed that there are at
least 30 deputies at each mine, we'll
armed for any friction that may ta'ke
place.
Sunday the miners of the Millers and
Toms Run districts held mass meet
ings. The men employed in the Slope
and Bridgeville mines, Essen Nos. l and
2, and Steens mines met at Bridgeville.
Cecil was the scene of meeting of Lau-
rel Hill Nos. and 4, Creedmor and
Bishop mines, and the diggers employed
in the Standard and Ellsworth mines,
In Millers Run. also held meeting.
The gatherings were attended by
men, women and children. The women
did not lag in the interest taken. Many
of them openly branded their husbands
as towards. They argued that they
might as well fight rs starve. The men
said the victory could be won provid-
ing every coal miner employed in th'
sections where the lake trade is sup
piled, would join the general movement
Of idleness. Plans for bringing out the
miners at work in the Boone and Alli-
son mines were discussed. Special COM
mittees were sent from one meeting TO
the other.
1t was decided to march on to Canons-
burg mines. The Reissing brass band
and the Cecil drum corps were engaged,
and the march across the country is
on.
Fairmount, w. Va, July 10.-Over 500
men attended the coal miners meeting
Sunday in the woods at Willow Tree
school house, near Mex Monongah, and
317 out of them raised their hands when
Mahon, the speaker, took vote to as
certain how many of them were will
ing to come out in the morning. The
miners were chilly at first, but got
warmed up and showed much enthusi-
asm, and the speaker was frequently
cheered. 1t was a noticeable fact that
only Monongah miners were in attend
ance, none from the neighboring col
lieries putting in their appearance.
Notwithstanding the rain, which COM
menced falling soon after the meet
ing began, the miners listened for over
an hour TO the address. 1t was the
largest meeting that was ever held in
this district by the miners, and many OF
the operators who had been confident
that the men would stay in. say now
that they are prepared for anything.
Not only the miners, but their wives
and children, turned out ut the meet
ing. Conservative men here think it is
only a matter of time until the men
come out.
St. Louis, July 19.-Dispatches to the
st. Louis papers from the principal
mining points in southern Illinois show
that the strikers have shut down several
mines. At Pana, where the men took
possession of a train Friday night, all
is quiet rs the Moweaqua men agreed to
come out. Six hundred miners are on
the march to Collinsville. where they
expect to induce 500 men TO stop work.
At Staunton and Mt. Olive, 300 men
are out. There are estimated to be 300
miners in Belleville and vicinity. In
1894 there were that many members Of
the union. All of them are reported to
be ready TO come out except those em4
ployed at the six consolidated mines.
1t was these men who broke faith last
week and caused the first Bellevllle
strike to fail. The feeling against them
is strong.
Columbus. o., July 10.-President
Ratchford sums up the strike situation
in an interview to the State Journal as
follows:
THE manner In which the miners are
conducting themselves commends itself 10
the country and gives their officers renewed
encouragement. and strengthens the belief
that victory will ultimately crown their ef-
forts. We have started into this movement
realizing fully the importance of the work
before us and the responsibility resting
upon us. and after two weeks OF suspen-
sion. involving more than l50 900 miners. we
are well satisfied with the results. Only
those who are best acquainted with the
condition of the miners have any idea OF
the extent OF this suspension and it's par
alyzing effects upon the labor and business
Of the country. II has not yet reached its
full proportions. The coming week will
add 10000 men to the idle column. The
week following will bring greater acces-
sions TO our ranks. The movement will con-
tinue TO grow. not only from the point OF
number involved. but public opinion will
become crystallized more fully and through
the press Of the country will demand So
luton OF this great difficulty. The or
ganized trades OF the country are to-day in
closer touch than ever before. Never In the
history Of labor troubles have they been
found so closely allied. Our demand for
living wages and the determination OF our
miners to secure IL have brought express
sions OF sympathy and moral and material
support from almost every branch OF or
ganized labor. whose efforts In our behalf
will endear them 10 all lovers OF fairness
and establish for the miners. with their
own efforts. living rate OF wages"
Rescued.