The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-06-15
OPERATORS AND MINERS.
The Latter See the Governor and Talk with
Him About Affairs in Clay County.

When the Clay county blOck-coal Oper-
ators called on the Governor, Wednesday,
to present from their side the condition of
the strike in that region, a long cOnsulta-
ton followed. The highly colored accounts
of starvation in the mining districts, none
of which had anything of fact except the
embarrassment that naturally attends those
out of work, had directed the Governors
attention to the locality. The operators
told him that there could be no suffering,
under the circumstances, which the people
of Brazil and Clay county could not readily
relieve. So far, neither the officers of
the city or county had been asked to do
anything. Some assistance had been sought
privately from citizens for those who were
pinched as to supplies, but the conditions,
they said. were not at all threatening. The
Governor then asked them if they were
willing to give the miners work,
and to this they gave ready response.
While negotiations were OF between
the miners committee and that of the oper-
ators, looking to an adjustment of the
difficulty, the former asked, IF we accept
20 and % cents for summer II winter
rates, will you allow US extra for thin or
low Goals" Two of the operators voted
LII oo1h va IA NhaSOs ~ in octa
to grant it. But, as it is claimed by the
miners, the operators declined to sustain
the majority of the committee, and then
the negotiations. were declared of. Since
then there have been no consultations be-
tween the parties concerned, each side APP
parently being willing to accept the conse-
quences. The Governor asked the coal
men if they would allow extra rate for low
coal. While he and his private secretary
were in one room the operators went into
another to consult, and after some discus
sion, drafted and submitted the following:
Hon. A. P. Hovey. Governor of Indiana:
Dear Strive have no hesitation in saying that
all the miners of Clay county. Indiana, now liv-
the prices now offered for digging block coal,
which are greater than the prices paid in our
per ton Of 9 900 pounds each to Nov. 1 next, and
from Nov. i to May 1, 1890, 10 cents per ton.
They are to be paid for all coal when the veins
are three feet and one inch thick and over. For
all coal deficient in thickness shall be paid for
mining prices based upon above rates for dig
upon in the year 1888. We hereby guarantee
that sufficient work will be furnished to all said
miners whereby they will be able TO support
themselves and their families.
brazil BLOCK COAL COMPANY,
JACKSON Goa N MINING COMPANY,
By M. A. Johnson, President.
NICKEL-PLATE Coal AND MINING COMPANY,
BY M. A. Johnson, President.
WATSON, LITTLE 81 Co,
TELLER & SIGLER COAL AND MINING COMPANY,
By +. NJ. Sigler, Secretary.
Coal AND MINING COMPANY,
CRAWFORD Coal COMPANY,
BY j. 1. Crawford, Secretary.
f. L. WINKLEFLECH.
That afternoon the Governor expected to
meet a committee representing the miners.
mittee did not appear, nor did it come on
Thursday. Yesterday. however, Messrs:
Horstfield and DAILY for the strikers. and
Mayor Herr, of Brazil, and his predecessor
in office. Mr.. Holiday, came to the city.
During the afternoon they had a long talk
with the Governor, the miners side of the
controversy being presented very much as
has been heretofore detailed. The Gov
ernor said that he could take no official
cogn1zance of the strike except as regards
suffering that might attend it. Mayor Herr
told him there was no su~fferingin Brazil, and
within the limits of that place, of course,
his authority was confined. He could not
officially act in respect to anything that
exists in the mining districts, whore it is
represented the suffering exists. The Gov
ernOr recognized that fact, and asked if
the County Commissioners of Clay county
had done anything to relieve those who
then told his visitors that until the matter
was officially brought to his attention he
could do nothing. 1t would not be just to
the people of Clay county for him to call
upon the people of the State to assist IN a
relief one might assume could be provided
by the local authorities immediately con-
cerned. He advised the miners, if
there was a necessity for assistance, to
bring the matter to the attention of the
Clay County Commissioners. If the condi-
| tions justified they would, of course. pro-
vide all the necessaries needed. If they
were willing to do so. but could not on ac-
| count of the demand being too great for
| their resources. then those officials could
present the matter to him. When al ap-
| peal comes to the Governor from the COM
missioners, then would be time for him to
act.
But the Governor also called the atten-
ton of the committee to the guarantee he
| had obtained from the operators. The
miners did not say much In regard to it.
but it impressed them somewhat favOrably.
They carried away copy of it, which they
will present to the strikers to-day.