The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-03-14
SPLIT IN THE MINERS CONVENTION.
Indiana Operators Withdraw and Say They
Will Not BE Bound by the Action Taken.

VIII Not BE Bound by the Action Taken.
COLUMBUS. o., March 13-The joint con-
ventiOn of miners and mine operators re-
sumed proceedings here this morning. with
Alexander Dempster, of Philadelphia, pre-
siding. The greatest obstacle that con-
fronted the convention was the condition
of affairs in Indiana. Here the operators
firmly demanded a reduction over last
years prices of 20 cents on the ton. This
the miners were indlsposed to listen to.
and offered a firm opposition to any such
proposition. 1t became evident that there
would be split in the convention if the
matter was pursued very far. as the extra
ordinary demand of the Indiana operators
was beyond consideration. The condition of
affairs existing between the miners and OPP
orators of Ohio and Pennsylvania was
not so menacing The miners ask fair
prices, while the sentiment of the operators
is for a small reduction. A joint scale COM
mittee reported that it was unable to come
to any agreement upon prices at its meet
ing held short time previous, although
the following scale bases were proposed for
the mine operators and rejected by the
miners: Operators of Ohio, GO cents per
ton; Pennsylvanla. o9 cents; Indiana. Ior
bituminous coal, so cents per ton. and for
block coal, 65 cents per ton. The miners
contend for last years prices, which are as
follows: In Ohio, Go and 20 cents per ton.
in Pennsylvania, "a and 20 cents per ton; IN
Indiana, for bituminOus, 65 cents and block
coal, so cents per ton. The report of the
committee was laid upon the table for the
time being, and the convention took re-
cess for fifteen minutes to give the Indiana
delegation of operators an opportunity TO
prepare an explanation as to why they made
the demand for such q reduction of the
scale. During this time the president of
the convention received a communication
= .,& 81 nff ar fhsa
convention was again called to order, it
caused quite stir. In this communication
the Indiana people stated that they desired
to withdraw from the convention and
would not be bound by any action taken
by it. This action was in view of the
impossibility of coming to any satisfactory
conclusion. The communication was
very respectful one, and the delegation,
sizes, but for some unknown reason the
chairman refused the newspaper represent
atives the privilege of inspecting it.
Mr.. II. g. Chapman, OF Ohio, moved that
and Mr.. Oscar Townsend, of Ohio, be in
structed to wait upon the Indiana delega-
ton and endeavor to effect a
| reconciliation. This move. met with
prevailed. The committee reported that
they were unable to find the Indiana dele
CATION anywhere in the city: The operat-
Ors of Indiana are in positive position,
resolute in their determination to hold up
the prices to last years standard. With
this state of affairs some lively times may
be expected In the mining circles of the
of Pennsylvania and Ohio display a desire
to amlcably adjust their differences, but
some difficulty may be experienced before
this is accomplished.
The convention occupied the entire day
and several hours tonight in attempting to
form an agreement upon scale of prices TO
be paid miners, but SO far the efforts have
been in vain. The convention will be in
session tomorrow, when renewed efforts 10
bring about an agreement will be made.
The Indiana delegation of operators have
refused to have any further connection
with the convention and left for their
homes this evening. Ii is rumOred there is
trouble between the Knights of Labor of
Indiana and the Miners National Progress
sive Association, which will develop in the
convention later on. 1t has been decided to
hold the next convention at Plttsburg
The Viewers Strike at Fall River.
FALL RIVER, Mass, March 13.-Less than
500 looms were running this morning at
eleven mills Twenty-three weave-rooms
were entirely closed. OF the 500 looms few
were run by weavers. Loom fixers con-
tinue to be discharged for refusing to run
looms. The ranks of the strikers grew
larger to-day. The King Philip Granite
and American linen mills shut down to-day
and others are expected to close tomorrow.
The shut down is practically. complete.
The board of arbitration can do nothing
| unless solicited by both sides to act. They
have advised return to work, pending
settlement, but the weayers decline the
proposal unless some corresponding conces-
sion is made by the mills. They are, how
| ever, willing to appoint committee TO
| meet the manufacturers committee in the
presence of the arbItrators, with q view To
| settlement The arhitrafnrs will try to