The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-18
GRAVE SITUATION
News from West Virginia Sets Oper-
atOrs Thinking.

ators thinking.
PITTSBURG, July 1.-THE ranks of the
miners are still holding firm with no sign
of break at any point. A large number
of meetings will be held tomorrow to give
encouragement to the men, Arbitration
Commissioners Schmid, who is the only one
of the commission in the city tonight, re-
ceiyed a telegram from Commissioner of
Labor Barton, of West Virginia, announc-
ing that the situation in that State was
entirely changed, and that he expects the
miners there to strike.
An important message from West Vir-
ginia received at the miners head
quarters during the afternoon. 1t came
from prominent state official, and states
that the situation has taken a change, with
the indications strongly in favor of the
miners coming out. The miners officials
believe that the West Virginia miners will
be out Monday morning There was very
little doing in the local coal market to-day
There was no change in the price, plenty of
the output being offered at $1.25, the same
price as the day previous. one prominent
operator was heard to say that If the West
Virginia miners came out there would be
great danger of coal famine. Many are
in hopes that the uniformity agreement Will
be signed, and are fighting shy of making
any large purchases. Opinion seems to dill
fer, as has always been the case with
Pittsburg coal operators. They apparently
realize that lack of confidence in each other
has disturbed the trade, and done much
toward the general mixed condition of the
coal trade.
District mining officials have come to a
realization of the gravity of the coal
miners strike situation as far as the ship
ments of coal from the district just east of
Pittsburg and the acknowledgements neld
are concerned. They have come to a realiza-
ton of the fact that coal from these pro-
ducing centers is playing havoc with the
cutting off of the supply for the Pittsburg
trade, thus initiating against the success
of the strike.
An important meeting of the executive
board and the district officials was held
this afternoon. Cameron Miller, the ma
tional organizer, was present, and the stu
alton was discussed in detail. 1t is now
proposed to send organizers into the dis
tricts and If possible induce the men 20
come out in sympathy. 1t is not expected
to close every mine in these sections.
Mines that furnish coal for the SeaDoard
will not be molested. 1t is proposed to mold
a number of mass meetings during the
next week.
The organizers sent to West Virginia to
get the miners of that State out expect
to make good progress tomorrow. EX-Vtce
President Cameron Miller said to-day at
the Pittsburg district headquarters that it
is likely the best work of the week will be
performed in the West Virginia fields on
Sunday. Many OF the men whom it has
been difficult for the organizers to reach
viii be found tomorrow In some cases
1T is probable that attempts will be made
to keep the mines running Sunday, and
this, he thinks, will cause break In some
on the part of the operators. Any such
movement as Sunday work will show the
anxiety of the operators to get their coal
out and give the miners assurance of the
Importance of the strike.
District Secretary William Warner, of the
miners organization, is in daily receipt of
offers of assistance from labor organiZa-
tons, which he refers to National Presi-
dent Ratchford. To-day he received a let
ter from c. A. Maidens, secretary of the
local Federation of Labor of the District
of Columbia. In ii Mr.. Maidens says that
resolutions of support were adopted by the
organizations and he asks Gould we aid
you by refusing to patroniZe any product?''
A number of Pittsburg operators spoken
to to-day declined to express themselves on
the subject of true uniformity Henry
Floersheim the Ffnleyville operator. says
he got the hot end of the poker when the
plan was tried before and he will not sign
until 81 per cent of the other operators
sign. James w. Shields says he will not
sign and w. z. Bonney of the Youghio-
gheny River Coal Company which employs
about fifteen hundred diggers, said he has
not decided what he will do in the matter.
Operator John Blythe says he has not yet
decided. John Peters. OF the Amyville Coal
Company, declares that he will not sign the
agreement. Others seen were noncommit-
tai