Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-09-27
A FULL REPORT
OF Fridays Conference Between
Men and Owners,
Giving Exactly What Took Piaes-Hhat
Was Said and by Whom.

On Saturday morning the REGIsrER pub
lished, in brief. the resultof the conference
Of operators and operatives on Friday even
ing. Since that time the matter has been
revived and has been the subject of agreat
deal of talk and much hard feeling. To
settle certain disputes and set at rest all
controversy, as well as to give the public a
correct account of this interesting confer
epce. the REGISTER has obtained the official
report. which is as follows:
Report of proceedings of conference De,
tween manufacturers and workingmen Oh
the mills of Wheeling and vicinity, nelo
at the office Of the Riverside Iron NorKs'
Friday evening, September I'd, 1857:
Meeting was called TO order, and upon
motion. Hon. c. d. Hubbard was chosen
Chairman and Mr.. w. L. Giessner Secre-
tary.
Mr.. Hubbard, upon taking the chair, asked
the workingmen 70 please state the OF,
iect of the call for the conference, aud
STATE what propositions they have 70
make to the manufacturers.
Mr.. C. d. Thompson, on behalf OF the
yorkingmen, denied the inference that the
conference had been requested by the
workingmen, and if so understood by the
manufacturers, that proceedings might then
terminate. ,
This conclusion was deprecated by the
chairman, coupled with the request that
Mr.. Thompson would state his propositions.
Whereupon Mr.. Thompson said, that the
yorkingmen would demand the concession
by the manufacturers of the ~ five points
II difference. namely, boiling, nail plate
heating and rolling, repairs to nail ma
chimes and scale OF lengths aud weights OF
I.ails, excepted in the settlement made IN
the Pittsburgh conference on wednesday,
September Goth, 1882.
Mr.. +. J. Hearne, in behalf OF the manu-
facturers, made the following reply: Il
desire to first make an explanation relative
TO the call for this conference, and II any
misstatements are made, trust that Mr..
Thompson will correct nae. When the
Pittsburgh conference was about to ad-
iOurn Mr.. Thompson moved and sat along
side of me, and said: Mr. Hearne, sup
nose that it will be necessary for US to have
a conference in our (Wheeling) district?
l replied that | thought SO, and the sooner
the better, but would leave him TO name
the time and place, and that the manufac-
turers would be there. Mr.. Thompson
asked if the office OF the Riverside iron works
would suit. replied yes, and suggested
that the time be fixed for the evening
rather than during business hours. Mr..
Thompson said that he could not be pre-
pared for Thursday evening, but
thought that Friday evening would
suit. said very we'll; let US know
when you are ready. About the
middle OF the afternoon Of to-day Mr..
Thompson inquired over the telephone If
we would be ready for conference to-
night"
Mr.. Thompson-Yes, believe it is about
correct"
Mr.. Hearne-"Well, it makes but little
difference who fathers this baby; but, gen.
tlemen, we are here and let US get to work, ="
and continuing Mr.. Hearne said: Gentle.
men, the manufacturers of Wheeling and
vicity have requested me to say that they
cannot accept your proposition. At a con-
ference held in this room last May, the
manufacturers saw tit to decline certain
propositions made by you, and that deci-
sion was final. Sometime in June, at
meeting of the manufacturers, we adopted
by a unanimous vote the following resolu-
ton:
l. We will pay no increase in wages.
2. We will pay no more than Pittsburgh
rates of wages.
3. We will not change the method of de-
termining the weights nor manner OF max
ing the payments.
At subsequent meeting in July these
resolutions were reatfirmed. They were
reaffirmed at our August meeting, and
again, last Saturday. The manufacturers
committee went to the Pittsburgh Confer
ence last Wednesday, so instructed, and
Mr.. Thompson, who was there to represent
tine workingmen, knows whether those in
struCtions we're obeycd. We there declined
the same propositions offered tonight.
The committee made report to the manu-
facturers at a meeting held yesterday after
noon, of all the proceedings of the Pitts
burgh Conference and their action was APP
proved and these resolutions were again
affirmed by the unanimous vote OF all the
mills of Wheeling and vicinity.
Now, gentlemen, We very much regret
that certain questions now referred here
from the Pitlsourgh Conference for settle
ment, as we earnestly endeavored to secure
settlement for our district jointly with
the Pittsburgh settlement. But we
disclaim all responsibility therefor
as the final resolution in that conference
was adopted by the unanimous vote OF the
workingmen and Pittsburgh manufacturers
and was passed over the negative votes OF
Mr.. Hubbard and myself.
We have reflected long and earnestly
upon this question, have weighed the mat
ter carefully, have counted the cost and
have fully made up our case. We cannot
recede from the position that we have
taken, and if this decision brings suffering
upon some who are not particularly inter
cSted or benefited by its settlement, the re-
spOnsibility must rest with you. All the
scales excepting those embracing the five
points of difference have been finally set
tied at Pittsburgh. Our works are prepared
to resume whenever the wOrkingmen are
ready to start upon our terms.
now request that no time be unneces-
ssrily consumed in discussing the merits
of the five questions at issue, as every gen.
tleman in this room, doubtless, has fully
made up his mind and no one will he
changed by flow of rhetoric or logic. We
are here TO endeavor to start our mills
Mr.. Thompson-"Have the manufactur
ers no propositions 10 offerP
Mr.. Hearne-"We have nothing further
to offer"
Mr.. Thompson moved to adjourn. The
motion was unanimously adopted and the
chairman declared the conference at an end.
The undersigned officers OF the meeting
hereby certify that the foregoing to the
best Of our recollection, Is a correct state
ment of the proceedings of the conference
held on the evening Of the 22nd of Septem.
Der, 1882
ISignedl c. D. HuRBARD,