The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-09-10
STRIKE OR COMPROMISE.
THE COAL STRIKERS TO SETTLE
THE QUESTION TODAY.
The Convention of Strikers to be Held at
Columbus - Pittsburg District Conven-
tlon "A Large and Exciting gOne-President
Doian Succeeds in Having Delegat es
Sent Untrammeled by Instructions After
Hard Ffghr-His Efforts to Be for .
Compromise.

Pittsburg, Pa, September THE
convention of mine workers today to
select delegates to the Columbus con-
vention tomorrow was one of the largest
ever held and probably has not been
before eQualed in excitement and i'm
portance. The future of thousands of
miners, their wives and children, de-
pended on the action of the gathering.
Although the rank and file of the DEL
egates seemed imbued with the idea
that the operators were ready to throw
up their hands and pay the SO cent rate
demanded by the strikers, President
Patrick Dolan, by excellent diplomacy,
tact and perseverance, kept them so
we'll within bounds that the delegates
from this district will go to Columbus
with instructions to use their discre-
ton in the settlement of the difficulty.
President DOlan was we'll aware that
if the delegates went 10 the Columbus
convention instructed to hold out for
the So cent rate, another struggle, more
bitter than ever, with hunger and star
walton for many,Was imminent. To him
almost alone belongs the credit Of haV-
ing the delegates go unhampered by
resolutions and free to act as they think
best for the good of the miners of the
Pittsburg district.
Dolan's idea was to have the dele
gates go to Columbus untrammeled,
where they could consult with dele
gates from other states and with the
national officials. He intimated that
there would be many questions and
facts to be considered that have as yet
not appeared on the surface. From
another source it has been learned that
DOlan will make a big fight tomorrow
on behalf of the mining industry of
western Pennsylvania.
1t is stated that at the conference
with the operators at Columbus last
week, he was apprised of certain facts
which led him to believe that not only
the operators, but the miners of this
district have been Disseminated
against and a fight will be made for
justice and fairness. Whether or not
the entire battle will be fought out is
an open question, but it is known that
the basis for permanent settlement in
the Pittsburg district next December
will be we'll defined and thoroughly un-
derstood tomorrow. If the issues are
too finely drawn it is intimated that
there will be a secession from the ma
tional organization by the Pittsburg
district.
Dolan will use every endeavor to
bring the convention in line for the ac-
ceptance Of the compromise rate and
knows he has a task confronting him.
Many delegates from other states, not
ably Illinois and Ohio, will go into the
convention tomorrow with a determi-
natin to hang for the SO cent rate in
spite of the wish of the national officers.
Dolan knows this, and in order to have
his own district with him he succeed
ed in choking off a resolution embody-
ing the rate question by one of the
most eloquent speeches ever heard in
the city hall.
The delegates left tonight over the
Pan Handle for Columbus in the best
frame of mind.