The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-10-30
WHERE THE BLAME RESTS.
THE SITUATION IN CLAY COUNTY.
Arbitration Refused by the Operators, Who
SteadfastIy Refuse to Even Meet
the Concessions Made by the
Miners Themselves.

in your paper to make a statement in behalf of
the coal miners in Clay county for the infor-
nation of the public in general, and especially
the hind-hearted and charitaby disposed peo-
pie in your city and throughout this and other
states who have contributed so literally to the
fund established by the miners to keep the
wolf of starvation from their doors.
Your readers are aware that miners in this
county came out on May of this year to resist
a reduction in wages from 90 cents per ton to 20
cents per ton. They also know that the miners
tried hard to avoid strike, knowing as they
do, that strikes are detrimental, rule, TO all
parties interested. But all their efforts in the
direction of a peaceful solution of the differ
ences proved futile. The miners, believing
that the reduction offered by their employers
unjust and uneslled for, finally declared
strike. Since this strike was declared many
statements nave appeared in the press to the
effect that it was political strike managed by
politicians in the interest of political party,
or for personal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. We take adj
vantage OF this opportunity to say that all this
talk about politics and politicians is false, and
most earnestly request that no credit be given
to such statements no matter from what source
they emanate.
1t has also been said that the miners here do
not want 10 work that there is no disposition
now on their part to settle the strike that has
already progressed for nearly six months. As
evidence of the falsity of this statement, we
would most respectfully call your attention TO
the miners action in q maSs-meetlng held at
Cardonia on the 14th inst, which was but an
adjourned meeting of the 9TH inst, TO hear the
reports of the various committees having re-
ceived the reports and acted upon the same.
The chair asked what was the further pleasure
of the meeting. brother arose and moved
that a conference committee OF five be APP
| pointed to meet the operators, which was car
ried. The following were nominated on that
committee: William Gault president, Car
donia; Maurice Dale Gray, secretary, Donald
sonville; Thomas McQuade Brazil; John
Holmes, Knightsvile; William Lowery, Car
| donla After this the following proposition
was made:
Seeing that our operators refuse to arbitrate,
Resolved, That we reconsider the question of
arbitration" This was carried, and in the
reconsideration of this many good arguments
were advanced for and against. Finally
it was rescinded. This being done il was
then moved that we concede tve-cent per ton
reduction last years prices. AS Pennsyi-
vania and Ohio on the east OF us having
suffered % cents of a reduction per ton, and
Illinois ~ cents, also the bitumnous coal
fields of our own state cents per ton, 1t was
resolved that we, the miners, IN mass meeting
assembled, agree to so cents per ton the
remainder of this month, and So cents per ton
from the first OF November, $780, with the low
scale which is for all coal over feet inch;
so cents TO the first of November, 1889, and s.
cents per ton to the first of May, 1890; and Tor
all coal feet 10 inches, and under feet inch,
So and 90 cents; and all coal feet inches,
and under 2 feet 10 inches, 81 and S105. TWAS
further moved that the secretary notify the
operators of the change made.
Having been notified, they (the operators)
sent the following reply:
Messrs. Gault & Gray, Brazil, Ind:
DEAR SIRs-Yours of the l4th inst signed by A.
Gallagher secretary: has been received Having
nothing to communicate further than has been
before you for the last five months, we remain
Yours respectfully, NJ a. JOHNSON,
Brazil, Oct. 10. w. ID ZIMMERMAN.
reader say that the men we represent are de-
sirous of continuing this struggle an unneces-
sary length of time?
In conclusion, we assure you and your readers
that we are and have been ready and willing
to settle the strike at fair and equitable price.
We think we are asking for no more than the
employers in this county afford to pay and
still make a iair profit on the money they have
invested.
Thanking you for the space you have given
US, are, respectfully,
WILLIAM GAULT, Chairman.
MAURICE DALE GRAY, Secretary.
THOMAS McQUADE.
JOHN HOLMES.
WILLIAM LOWERY.
Conference Committee.
y. B.-Will the NeUS and SuR please copy?
| By so doing you will greatly favor the commit
| tee NJ. G.. GRAY, Secretary.
The following have been received for the
| Clay county fund;
| {. II. r., cash, 81.
One package of new supplies Jackson, Porter
| & Alderman, Boston store.
One large box from Winamac, Ind.