The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1897-07-07
CALLED OUT.
Leaders of United Mine Workers
Order a Strike. VI
The struggle PROMISES 20 be Gigantic and
Protracted More Thqi 100000 Men,
II is Said, VIII Obey the Edict to
Cease Labor Higher Wage
Scale Demanded.


Columbus, O., July 3, "A general
strike of miners of the United Mine
Workers of America has been ordered
for July by the national executive
board, whose headquarters are in this
city, and also by the district presi-
dents, as the result of a meeting held
here June "a, 25 and 20. The official
document says
To the Mine Workers Of the Country-Greet-
Ing; Fellow Miners-At the last annual con-
vention Of the United Mine Workers Of Amer
ica. held in Columbus, O., January 1910 1897,
IL was determined that the scale Of prices
should be advanced to the following rates;
Pennsylvania (PittSburg district pick mining
69 cents per ton Ohio, 50 cents per ton; lndi-
ana (bituminous) 60 cents per tom illinois
Grape CreeR), 55 cents per ton Machine min
ing to be paid three-iifths per ton q the price
for pick mining except in Indiana (bitumin-
ous), where the price shall be four-hfths per
ton of the price paid for pick mining; other
mining sections a corresponding increase In
price that will place them on o relative basis
, 1t was further agreed that the time for enforce
ment of the scale be left with the national ex-
ecutive board and the district presidents to de-
ternine when il would be most Opportune 70
put this scale into effect
The document then urges uuanimity and
fidelity among the members The signs Of the
times, the paper says as pointed out by the
press and by testimony OF men versedSin public
affairs are that business is teviving, that an
upward tendency In prices OF all commodities
is apparent In the general business revival
and industrial improvement which is earnestly
proclaimed we ought to share, and II we do not
attempt to share VIC shall be false to ourselves
and those dependent upon us.
Let the watchwOra be, says the circular,
Mine workers are entitled to a fair days pay
for fair days work" Local committees are
directed TO be forme ana to see that action is
taken at once. The field is large and 1t will be
an mpossibility for the national and district
officers to attend TO all points. consequently
local leaders are urged 10 assume the RESPONSE
bility and authority for the successful consum-
nation OF our desires. To insure success great
care should be exercised by all that no breach
OF the peace occurs at any time or place, OIL
under any circumstances. Bulletins will be
issued from time TO time 10 keep you informed
Of the progress OF affairs
The national executive board is com
posed of Fred Dilcher, R. l.. Davis, j.
II. Kennedy, Harry Stephenson, james
M. Carson and Patrick Dolan. The dis
trict presidents are w. E. Farms, W.
G. Knight, James NJ. Carson and Pat.
rick Dolan. M. d. Ratchford is presi
dent of the national executive board
John Kane vice president and w. c
Pearce secretary. All these names art
signed to the circular
The officers here say 225,0O0 men are
involved as proposed strikers So fal
as anything can be learned here from
officials the call for the Pittsburl
meeting of miners on Saturday is II
decide how the strike is to be con
Quoted in that district They have t
consider plans to take care of the wo
men and children during the strike
President Ratchford says that this
the best time to settle the question o
wages, as during the summer the me-
can make use of their little garde
plots in obtaining subsistence. TIL
needs of clothing are not SO great as II
winter.
The proposed scale is intended by tn
miners to make work for miners profit
able to them in the Pittsburg distriC
and elsewhere. Pittsburg is paying
cents per ton and Ohio 81. To max
the differential what the Ohio opera
tors claim it ought to be, they threa'
en- to reduce Ohio miners to 45 cent
per ton, or nine cents below Pittsburl
The miners propose, if possible,
raise Pittsburg prices SO as to preven
reduction in Ohio to 40, and th
possibility of even further reductio
here in case Pittsburg should keep o
lowering, as Ohio lowered to maintai
the differential of nine cents
Spring Valley Ill, July B. = Th
miners of this city have voted unan
mously to obey the order of the nj
tional executive board Of the Unite
Mine Workers to mine no more Goa
after July A. The miners are not th
only ones that win quit work, but a
the employees OF the company who's
wages rise and decline when the wagt
of the miners are affected have ais
been asked to come out This mear
that all the trappers and even tt
cagers who have charge of the hoistin
of cars will also come out This pu'
a serious aspect upon the situation, fC
if the mines are allowed to renal
idle without the constant attention
the trappers it would not take long fc
them to cave in. The miners Of tn
city are very determined. They hay
had their wages reduced nearly so p'
cent In the past four years and
cents a day is above the average.
HIGHLY MIXED.