The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-06-08
MANY MINERS QUIT
STRIKE IN TWO vIRG1NIAs WELL
UNDER WAY.
THE OUTLOOK IS SERIOUS.
KILLINGS REPORTED IN THE PO-
CAHONTAS FIELDS.

railroad Men Are Likely to Be
Laid Off-BituminiOus Interests
Elsewhere Believed to Have Had
Nueh to Do With Bringing ON the
Strike.
Wheeling, W. Va, June THE strike
ordred by the United Mine Workers of
America to take effect in West Vir-
qinia to-day was much more complete
in some districts than was expected,
and less effective in others than ex-
pected.
The incomplete reports are conflict
ing but it is evident several thousand
more men went out than was antici-
mated. The strike affects not only the
industries of this state, but also rail-
wav and river navigation. All the To-
cal coal roads suffer. Among the trunk
lines the Norfolk and Western suffered
most to-day, but very many miners
were also idle along the Baltimore and
Ohio and the Chesapeake and Ohio. AS
rule the miners quit without
much demonstration. But in
some places they went march
Ing with bands. 1t is ascertained
that the operators in some places had
secured many armed guards in antici-
patton of a protracted struggle, If not
Of violence. In a few places the
striking miners were served with TO
tees to vacate the houses belonging to
the companies.
While the strike in this state is gen
orally regarded as sympathetic with
that of Pennsylvania, there is gem
eral impression that the bituminoIs
coal interests of otehr states have had
tAeir influnece in bringing on a crisis
in West Virginia. There is a strong or
garization of miners in this state, in
dependent of the United Mine Work.
ers OF America, and the members Of
this state union have continued work
when the United Mine Workers of
America had ordered strikes in In
diana, Illinois and other states. 1t is
reported throughout West Virginia
that the btunlinous operators of other
states had refused to to pay
The national scale unless the
United Mine Workers control the mines
Of West Virginia, and many believed
that the present struggle is one of
maintenance of authority of United
Mine Workers in states other than
West Virginia.
While there were varying reports of
violence during the day they were not
confirmed by advices. but the people
generally in the mining districts are
apprehensive of serious trouble in the
future.
situation mt Roanoke.
Roanoke, Va, June ii. C. Raun,
chief engineer of the Pocahontas Coal
and Coke Company, with headquarters
at Bramwell, w. Va, arrived here to-
day He left the coal fields late last
night. In an interview Mr.. Raun said
that he would not venture a prediction
as to what the outcome would be,
whether partial or general strike
would be inaugurated; neither did he
believe anyone on the outside knew,
Tor the forces at work are secret and
nothing is being given out except to
the initiated. That a state of uncer-
talnty prevails in the fields is evident
from the nervous tension in business
circles. When he left the fields there
was no demonstration of any kind
among the miners, no buying of guns
or drilling or anything to show that
the struggle was on, except that the
men last night were leaving the mines
sun others were buying blasting pow
der and few were having their tools
sharpened, as though they meant to
continue work. To-day being the day
set for the strike, thousands of min
ers might be out by nightfall.
killings Reported at POcahOntas.
special tonight from Blueleld,
w. Va, to the Roanoke Times says
mat about 60 per cent. of the miners
IN the Flat Top fields went out to-
DAY, IS men went out at Pocahontas
ana others are expected to quit to-
night. One or two men are said to
nave been killed in the Pocahontas
nelds to-day, but beyond the bare
statement that one or two lives have
oeen lost, no particulars are given. 1t
Is expected that rs per cent. of those
on strike will return to work by the
middle of next week, and but little
trouble is anticipated.
A telegram to the Roanoke Times
rom Pocahontas tonight says about
MY miners went out at that place
tnls morning and in other mines in
mat field three-fourths of the men are
OUT. SO far no disturbances have been
reported and hundreds of the strikers
are leaving the fields this evening.
Everything at stnndstiII.
A special from Eckman, w. Va, to
the Daily Times says:
The strike is general throughout the
coal fields from Vivian to Williamson,
lot miner is working and everything
- ued up. Not a car of coal is being
loaded east of Vivian. Only a few
tillnes are in operation. Only very
te" men are at work. All save three
G Tour operations have shut down.
,SoGe Few opened up this morning and
lg I what coal they had, but by noon
en- q! were closed down but a few. Mr..
oleel. superintendent of the keystone
operation, which employs $50 men, has
sven notice for all his men to meet
nun tonight so he may come to terms.
5IlS Is only one of the possible seventy
operations between Bluefield and Eek
n.dA that has agreed to pay the miners
s,le money, and it is hoped that Mr..
miners.
business Crippled Already.
=, IL is feared. and is almost certain.
,il, by Monday not a miner will be
", King. The mine operators are wor-
~ Railroad hands are being cut of.
r1y We're cut off to-day. II is Grip
business TO a great extent al
my ana inside Of a week everything
az. pc dead. II Is reported that two
o. shefs were killed near Dayy, w.
r.,.,. ,aht night IN q row caused by their
sing 70 come out. Mine owners are
70 get coal from other fields
h. MI orders they have IN
.... Everything h quiet, and
crowds Of miners are