Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-08-23

Observation-Disclosures to Fight the Open
ing of the IIines-De Armit's Men and
the Strikers Have a Bloody BattIe-State-
ment Issued by the Operators.
Fittsburg, Aug. Acknowledgements in
The coal mining situation in the Pitts
burg district will be watched with un-
usual interest this week. Both sides
were apparently at rest yesterday, but
it was developed that at the conference
today there will probably be a dis
ruption. By many it is believed that
Ratchford will net be present. 1t is
claimed that he will stick to his original
assertion that he will not agree to ar
bitrate unless all the states involved
are represented. 1t is a well-known
fact that the operators of other states
will not Join the local operators in the
movement for arbitration. If Ratchfoid
is obGurate the conference will be use
lass. This, in brief. is the situation,
and Il is apparent that both sides are
making preparations for movem ants
that will be to their benefit.
What Ratchford Himself Says.
A telegram from Columbus, O., says:
president Ratchford said last night be-
fore leaving for Pittsburg that he eX-
pected the result of the conference to-
day with the Pittsburg operators would
be that general conference of all the
coal operators and miners of the entire
country would be called for the near
| future to consider the question of set
| tlement of the strike. He did not antic-
| ipate any other result from the con-
| ference. Secretary Pearce will also at
| tend the conference"
Campaign Agains. New Men.
From a reliable source it is learned
that if the operators start mines on the
lines laid down other mines will also
| be started by the miners. 1t is pro
posed to select operators who are no.
| resented at the conference, and who
are friendly to the miners. They VIII
be given permission to mine coal at the
| rate demanded, and the coal be stored
By this means it is expected to get q
| fund from the union miners that happen
to be working, and with this fund pay
the expenses Of a fight against imported
| labor. The miners officials are making
| arrangements to have a fund on hand
to send foreign labor home just as fas!
der the jurisdiction Of the labor leaders
ard with operators that are friendly
who reap a profit they hope to have al
available and large fund.
| Savage Fight Between Miners.
| In addition to the general missionary
work for the week the leaders hav,
decided to direct especial work to TIL
prevention of operations at the Sand,
Creek mine. The strikers say they will
resume their marching tactics, claiming
that under the ruling Of Judge Golf il
the West Virginia cases they are givel
| this right. Samuel De Armit says tina
| $50 to 115 men are at work in the Plum
, | Creek mine today. 1t Is announced tina
the New York and Cleveland Gas Goa
, company will make eight more evic
tons today from eight different com
pany houses. Sympathy for the striker
by the farmers and citizens is not dimin
4 fishing in the least. Citizens of Ne,
Texas sent word that they had plent
. of food for the men and wanted Their
to call on them when needed.
De Armit Has Another Story.
j Superintendent Thomas P. De Armi
i said last night referring to the troubl
l. between his workmen and strikers tina
as near as he could learn the striker
had fired the first shot. The place wher
- the collision occurred, he says, is
"speak-easy," and instead Of his me
: going there to influence the strikers the
had been requested to go there for til
opposite purpose. He says an invest
gaticn will be made and if his men al
to blame, they must suffer the cons,
Quences.