Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1904-03-10

tempts at organization have failed.
These mines would keep working day
and night, no doubt, in case of
strike. and the coal would be rushed
out to supply the market which the
strikers would be trying to starve
This West Virginia coal already comes
into the west and is used among 9TH
ers by the Milwaukee railroad in Iowa
because Of its superior quality over
the local product. Although it could
not supply the entire country it could
go a long way toward that end in the
summer season now approaching, and
with the supply from the states not in
cluded in the indianapolis conference
it could prolong the strike many
months.
Should the miners call a wide symp-
athletic strike in order to cut off the
supply the West Virginia field would
still be working and would still add to
the supply while the miners would be
put to vast daily expense without any
of their members working and furnish,
ing money for defense Such condi-
tion of affairs as this would result in
a big victory for either the miners or
the operators and the latter, with
capital on their side, would apparent
ly stand the better chance in an ar
gument where only the power to wait
played an important part.
Operators Views.
So with all these arguments against
the wisdom of striking, the miners are
expected to agree to the reduction
proposed by the eastern operators. A
whole week remains for argument on
the matter before the vote is taken and
in the meantime the national officers
will no doubt carry on a campaign of
education among their constituents
who instructed them to stand unequiv,
ocally for at least continuation OF
the present mining prices.
From the operators standpoint the
view is much the same. They say
that the present low prices. of all com.
modities are an Indication of over-pro
duction and falling market owing
largely to speculation. These facts
are advanced as reasons why they
cannot expect to secure as ready a
market nor as high price for their
coal next year as they have had dur.
| ing the one now nearing close. The
fact that West Virginia coal is being
used in Iowa on the railroads is indica.
tive Of a decided preference for the
eastern product because of it's better
quality and probably also on account
of the difference in the cost The oper.
ators Of the west do not want their
coal replaced by the eastern coal and
will not see this done il it is possible
| to prevent it. But here they are con
fronted with two problems. To lower
| the price and better their chances ir
the competition they must secure the
consent of the miners and to continue
the present prices means to fight the
encroachments of their eastern com
petitors under the same conditions
that are apparently proving loss te
them at least. in part.
A prominent Iowa operator summed
up the situation last night by saying:
"We cannot proceed until we heal
from the referendum vote, although
feel confident that it will be against
a strike. AS to Iowa, think we car
settle in at least the usual time. The
issues are clearly defined and the op
orators are willing to give all that they
can. The miners do not want to strike
I feel sure for they are now making
excellent wages and the operators dc
not want to see trouble after they
have just succeeded after years oi
work,in building upon an association
stronger and more complete than ever
before in their history
W. H. Powell.