The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-16
COAL OPERATORS AND MINERS.
Convention at Pittsburg for the Purpose of
Arranging National Scale of Wages.

P1TrsBURG, Dec 15.-The national convention
of coal operators and miners, called for the pur
pose of arbitrating the difficulties between the
employer and employee, and to establish a ma
tional scale of wages, together with the cost of
miners's supplies which shall govern the opera
tors and men in every mine in the United States
opened here at 1890 O'clock this morning. Fifty
delegates were present from Ohio, Penn
sylvania, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Ten
nessee, Virginia and West Virginia Prominent
among those in attendance are Colonel W. P.
Rend the extensive Ohio operator; Christopher
Evans. executive secretary of the National Fed
Grafton of Miners; D. Mclaughlin. representing
the Illinois miners. and D. Patterson, of the
Columbus, Ohio, Coal Exchange A. l.. Sweet,
of Illinois, was elected chairman, and Christie
pher Evans secretary. Addresses we're made by
Colonel Rend and Mr.. David Patterson, both
advocating arbitration. Colonel Rend recon-
mended a general advance of % per cent in the
wages OF the miners and added that the operators
could then get better prices for their coal.
In the afternoon proposition was made by
President Mcbride of the Ohio Miners Associa-
ton, that the price of mining should be arranged
by board of arbitration in each of the several
mining regions No suspension of work will
occur while the question is being considered, and
the rate of mining, when fixed, shall so continue
for one year. 1t was proposed, Also that means
be taken to punish those operators who shall do
anything to disturb the rates agreed upon by the
different boards of arbitration. This prop
osition created a heated discussion. which
lasted all the afternoon. majority
OF both operators and miners present
favored arbitration. but the best way of
attaining the desired end was the point upon
which they could not agree.
Colonel Rend suggested the arranging OF a
standard in the Pittsburg field. say two and one
half in summer and three cents in winter; q cor
responding rate in the Hooking valley, in Indi-
ana, in Illinois, and in the Knawha valley.
Then, if there should be reduction or increase
in any of the fields a responding reduction or
increase would be made in all the others. The
debate finally brought to an end
by the adoption of resolution
providing for the appointment of committee,
consisting of one operator and one miner from
each State. to draft resolutions that will cover
what is believed to be the questions involved.
The committee is to report tomorrow morning.
The convention then adjourned.
The committee resolutions met again to-
night, and remained in session until nearly mid
night. The miners drew up scale for nearly
all districts but, ia the opinion of the operators,
it was too high.
The committee finally adopted resolution to
present to the meeting tomorrow, recommend
ing that convention of coal operators be held at
an early date, to consider a scale OF prices to be
presented to the miners. and should any imper-
fections be found in said SCALE the operators are
to point them out, and in turn submit scale.
They will further recommend that whatever
price may be finally agreed upon it shall re-
main in force one year from May l. 1885,