The herald., 1897-07-07
COAL MINERS
Obey the Official Order to
Strike
PITTSBURG is THE PIVOT
ON WHICH SUCCESS OR FAIL
URE TURNS
PITTsBURG is THE PIVOT
Enough Men Still at Work to Make
the Success of the Strikers
Very Doubtful
Associated Press Special Wire.

h'p - IN, a. cNiJ W. III 0tiiiNS
order of the national executive board
of the United Mine Workers of America
was obeyed by from 10000 to $4,000 of
the 21.00O miners in the Pittsburg dis
trict today. The great struggle is now
on in earnest and the developments of
the next few days will determine the
euccess or failure of the fight for uni
form mining rate. Pittsburg is the
pivotal point in the five states engaged
in the contest, and the success of the
local organizations in their efforts to
secure a general suspension in this dis
trict will have an important bearing on
the outcome of the movement. While it
is estimated that at least two-thirds of
the miners have thrown down their
picks, enough men are still at work.
however, to seriously impair their
chances unless they can ultimately be
brought out. This President Dolan con-
fdently claims can be done. The opera
tors, on the other hand, are in nowise
disconnected and assert that the strike
cannot succeed. The first break in the
operators ranks was made this after
noon by ]. w. Steen of the o. I. C. mines
at Rossville. The diggers refused to
work and the mine was closed down,
but notice was posted that after today
the Accent rate would be paid. 1t is not
likely that the officials will allow the
men to work until majority of opera
tors have agreed to the miners de-
mands.
In West Virginia the miners have been
slow in responding to the strike. A dis
patch says that general strike in the
state is not possible The men are not
organized and they are inclined to re-
gard the strike elsewhere as favorable
to their chances of securing plenty of
work a good prices while it is pending.
Great pressure is being brought to bear
upon them by the United Mine Workers
of this state to join the strike, but so
far without success. The impression
among both operators andminers in this
state is that West Virginia will be able
to supply the demand for coal in the
event of long strike, and that the
operators will be justified to offer the
miners inducements to remain at work,
as they did in 1894
SECRETARY SHERMAN'S VIEW.
NEW YORK, July Ga dispatch to
the World from Washington says: In
speaking of the miners strike, Secretary
of State Sherman said that such disturb
ances were always serious and threaten
ed to become injurious to business in
terests. The Withholding of so import
ant a product as COAL if continued for
a considerable period, he said, necessari-
ly involves a liberal increase in prices
and consequently affects all classes.
He does not believe that politics enter
into strikes-that any of the parties,
or that either the preceding or the pres
ent administration can be held respon-
sible for the existing disagreements be-
tween the operators and miners.
Secretary Sherman says that the solu-
tion of these problems must be found
by the employers. They must adjust
their differences in their own way and
to their own satisfaction. Outside sug-
gestions and interference would be re-
sented. For this reason he does not be-
lieve that any general plan for the ad-
judication of labor troubles, as pro-
posed by pending congressional legis-
lation would be acceptable to either of
the parties, or could be made effective
in practical application. The theory is
good, he said, but the execution would be
difficult, if not impossible.
Arbitration provided by law would be
on the same principle as leading horse
to water, the water can be provided and
the animal taken to it, but he cannot
be compelled to drink.
SENATOR HANNA'S OPINION
NEW YORK, July Ga dispatch to
the Herald from Washington says:
Senator Hanna of Ohio, in speaking of
the coal miners strike, said:
lowing to the existing conditions of
business no one can be expected to raise
wages for the present anywhere in any
line of business and, therefore, the
strikers have chosen very unfortunate
time to make their demands, whether the
latter be reasonable or not. With better
times greater confidence and an in
creased demand for the product of the
mines it ought to be possible to give Ia
borers of all kinds a better return for
their labor.
'That is what we mean by prosperity
an improved condition of business,
when money is freer, operations car
ried on upon a safe, sound and profitable
basis and the humblest laborer reaps
the benefit of the good times in propor-
tion to the value of his labor. The hoped
for good times are coming, believe, be-
fore long. They will not come suddenly
but gradually and when business does
improve employers Of labor can listen to
the grievances of the employees. do not
see that they can be expected to do so
before. 1t is to be hoped that the men
will agree to submit the matter to arbi-
tration and let their troubles rest for
the present in reasonable manner. Acts
of violence produced by passion cannot
accomplish anything good.
''Of the effects of the strike on Ohio
politics, am not prepared to say any
thing. Business disturbances always
affect the current issues one way or the
other and misunderstanding frequently
arise on account Of them. I have no ap-
prehension personally on account of the
strike, however"
AN ENGLISH STRIKE
LONDON, July 6.-In consequence of
the strike of engineers in support of
the demand for an eight hours work
day, the Federated Employers Associa-
tion has posted notices locking out rs
per cent of the members of the striking
societies. 1t is understood that the So
.cieties will order-the rest to leave work