The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-07-03
THE OPERATORS STUBBORN.
THEY WILL MAKE NO CONCESSIONS.
The Operators Still Positively Refuse to
Submit to Arbitration-why Was the
Meeting Held In Secret-Faint
Hopes of a Settlement.

of the state board of charities arrived at the
scene of the strike this morning and have been
listening to the statements of the operators
and miners a good portion of the day. They
had hoped to get through in time TO return to
indianapolis on the last afternoon train, but il
is now doubtful if they complete their work
by tomorrow noon. One or two members of
the board have displayed considerable impa-
tience at this fact, but the others appear anx-
ious to make thorough and comprehensive
investigation into the situation, in order, if
possible, to bring about an end TO the present
distressing dilemma
Upon the streets the meeting Of the board is
the general subject of conversation, and the
universal desire, if not expectation, is that the
conference will accomplish the desired object
of ending the strike.
There does not appear to be much change in
the general situation since left here week
ago. The merchants are feverish with impa-
thence at the prolongation of the lockout and
the interference with their business; the miners
have been receiving some substantial assist
ance in the last ten days and are little worse off
than they were a week ago, but all of them
with whom have conversed are anxious for a
settlement and wish as earnestly as do the mer-
before the board returns to Indianapolis. The
operators alone seemed indisposed TO regard
the present situation as of any unusual impor-
lance, aud, to judge from the talk of those OF
them who talk at all, there can be but one out
come of the conferenee-that is, a concession
to their demands. \ member who were speak
ing for the operators told me as soon as |
stepped off the train that the operators would
not make the concession of even cent, but |
have, on the other hand, been given TO under
stand that President Lawrence last night told
Secy. johnson that the operators would do
whatever the board should recommend in the
matter.
Secy. Johnson of the board of charities
slipped away from indianapolis yesterday and
came down here TO quietly investigate, in order
10 ind out few facts from MS own personal
observation that he might lay before the board.
He kept his identity unknown, in order that
he might not be hampered in his work, and
very few of the miners knew OF his presence
here. 81 see" said he, "that the situation here
has been very well described in the papers.
| am satisfied that the accounts given in The
SENTINEL, -Ne,rs and San were facts, so far as
that part of the question is concerned. My
particular object, however in coming here IN
advance of the others was not so much 10 IN
quire into the restitution as to investigate the
local aid given to the strikers The governor
wanted to know what had been done officially
in this county before he issued any call for aid
from the state at large. | find
that there has been no official
that there has not been great deal OF private
solicitation in this city. OF course, however,
the citizens of this county have suffered per
sOnally from the strike-that is, in a financial
way-and they could not be expected 10 do a
great deal find the sentiment here in behalf
of the operators much stronger than | antici-
pated. but presume if should 20 out among
the mining towns, like Knightsville, Harmony,
etc. would find the feeling the other way"
Mr. johnson is right about that. If person
wants 20 get at the merits OF the present strike,
he should not question the citizens of the little
city in the heart of the coal region any more
than be should the miners themselves. 1t is
not that they are not rs reliable and as generous
as the inhabitants of any other community. but
their personal interests are too much involved
in the difficulty 10 prevent them giving an I'M
preiudiced view of the situation. Many who
believe that the reduction of the miners wages
was unjust, and who would ike to see them
gain their point If possible, think that the
operators are masters OF the situation, aud that
for the miners 10 remain out is only TO prolong
the present lethargy IN business and distress
among the strikers. They, therefore, are IN
clined to criticise the Intervention of out
siders,' whose sympathy with the cause OF the
strikers induces them to express their sentl-
mentS concerning the situation, and 10 encour-
age the strikers.
The remainder Of the board, with the excep-
ton Of 4ir. Nicholson and Mrs. Fairbanks, ar
rived here BY the morning train They are the
Rev. SIR. McCulloch. Judge Z. B. Martindale,
the Hon. John +. Elder and Mrs. W. \. Peelle.
They we're also accompanied by Miss Taylor,
stenOgrapher, who is taking full reports of the
meetings. The party was met at the depot by
Mr.. johnson, who conducted them TO the hotel
There short conference was held, Mr.. John
son explaining what he had found out during
his stay here. The board has remained
rather uncOmmunicative, thinking 1t best not
10 talk about the matter until IL had come to
some conclusion on the subject. Reporters
were barred from the meetings with the opera
tors aud miners which were held in the !. VI.
G.. A. hall. The board first listened to the Oper-
atOrs and then called in the miners. After
thus getting both sides of the story they called
the two together and by joint conference
sought to bring about a compromise.
The operators were represented by L. +.
Lawrence, OF Chicago, president OF the Brazil
block coal company; Col. Zimmerman and II.
\. Niblaek, of the same company; Thomas
Watson, proprietor of the Gartsherrie mines;
Jackson Watson. NJ. 4. Johnson, r. /. Wrinkle.
pleek, VIM. Zeller, VIM. Rusher, representa-
tive OF the Crawfords), Henry Perry. superin-
tendent of the block company mines, and
others Their conference with the board lasted
from 10 o'clock until after l.. They went
very fully into the statement of their
side of the case, attempting to show why
the advent OF natural gas and oil, along with
unusual competition from mines In Ohio
and iulnOlS, had made reduction
of miners wages necessary. They pro-
duced books to substantiate some of the
things they said. Their evidence apparently
produced conflicting opinions among the men,
/ bers of the board. Secy. Johnson was evidently
very much impressed by the statement OF the
| case and at dinner before the miners side had
| been heard) be expressed himself OF the opin-
/ ion that the reduction of wages was iustihable.
/ The Rev. Mr. McCulloch, however, was evil
/ IDENTIFY not so impressed although he was not
! disposed to talk of the matter until the con-
| ference was over.
Mr.. Johnson, among other things said that
/ the great trouble with the miners IN this sec
| ton had been, not poor wages but poor work.
/ They would make more" said he "at 75 cents
/ per ton than at n, because at the latter price
| the district would always be Overcrowded with
/ wOrkmen"
/ The idea that it might be the duty of the or
/ orators 10 meet this difficulty by employing
| only certain number Of men. and giving
/ them, so far possible, steady work. was not
/ approved by Mr.. johnson, who said ii was
natural for the operators, whenever they had
I their mines in operation to employ all that
/ they had accommodations for.