Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-07-15

Pittsburg, July 13.-Beyond the
strengthening of the miners lines
along the river, there is little change
in the strike situation. The iron-clad
contracts which were in force in sew
eral of the mines in the Monongahela
valley were swept out OF existence
Monday and the strike made general in
the fourth pool. The miners along the
river are rejoicing over this victory.
The only mine reported in operation
III the region is the Quitable at Web
ster. The Blythe Coal company of
fered 69-cent rate to its men, but
the officials will not allow them to go
to work at present. The men in the
Stickel Hollow mines of the Washing
ton Coal company also went out Mon
DAY, making the suspension complete
in this district, except the mines OF the
New York & Cleveland Gas and Coal
company, where 1,200 men are work
ing. No effort has yet been made to
get these diggers out and the miners
of other pits, who laid down their
tools, are grumbling at the slowness of
Dearmitts men in joining the move
ment. Hot heads are advising drastic
measures.
The greatest interest is now mani
tested in the scheme to arbitrate the
strike question. The labor commits
sioners and official arbitrators of the
several states affected are mobilizing
at this city. A conference will be held
tomorrow. Invitations have been sent
to the coal operators of the Pittsburg
district to meet the arbitrators in
formally and talk over the matter OF
settling the strike. James Young,
representing NJ. A. Hanna's mining
interests, came from Cleveland Mon
day and has been in consultation with
the peacemakers. One or two of the
smaller operators dropped in on the
conference to look over the situation,
but no large meeting has yet been
held 1t is expected by the arbitrators
that representatives of a number of
the coal operators will be gotten to-
gether within the next "a hours. How
ever, persons, who are well acquainted
with the warning factions that exist
among the coal operators here say
that they will be hard to get together
in this move, although the extreme
gravity of the outlook may have the
desired effect Those in touch with the
situation say that an attempt at concil
iation will simply reopen the old dis
cussion of President Dearmitt's posi-
ton on the necessity of a price differ
entail to compete with the stores. If
the operators can be brought into line
at once for the conference idea there
will be no obstacles interposed by the
miners. President Ratchford Monday
wired the arbitrator that the miners
officials would meet with them today
There is a strong indication that Il
coal famine will be confronting the
country within the next ten days. With
the scarcity of coal already prevailing
at the lake ports, it IS claimed that the
supply will not last over two weeks at
the longest. In anticipation of such
d condition the operators are not anX-
ious to fill orders and are holding
their coal for an advance The only
source of supply is from the river
mines, as the railroads are contiscating
for their own use all the coal ready for
shipment along their lines The retail
dealers as well as the operators con-
cede that famine is immineat and the
outlook is for prices to advance be-
yond the limit reached during the
previous general strike of the miners
in 1894.