Evening journal., 1889-03-14
ADJUSTING THE PRICES.
The Ccal Miners and Opera
tors Conference.
INDIANA DELEGATES WITHDRAW

Indications Of Coming right in That
state-The Differences in Pennsylvania
and Ohio Being Calmly Discussed and
Likely TO BE Peaceably Settled.
COLUMBUS, G., March 1.-THE joint CON
vention Of miners aud mine operators re-
sumed proceedings, with Alexander Demp-
ster, Of Philadelphia, presiding The great
est obstacle that confronted the convention
was the condition Of affairs in Indiana. Here
the operators firmly demand a reduction over
last years prices Of twenty cents on the ton.
This the miners were indspos d to listen to,
and assumed firm opposition to any such
proposition.
II became evident that there would be a
split in the convention if the matter were
pursued very far, as the extraordinary de-
mand Of the Indiana operators was beyond
consideration. The condition Of affairs ex.
isting between miners and operators Of Ohio
and Pennsylvania was not 50 menacing The
miners ask for old prices, while the sentiment
Of the operators is for a small reduction. The
joint scale committee reported that it was
OFFICES
at its meeting although the following scale
basis was proposed for the mine operators
and rejected by the miners: Operators OF
Ohio, go cents per ton; Pennsylvania, 80 cents:
Indiana, for bitummous coal so cents per
ton, and for block coal, 65 cents per ton. The
miners hold out for last years prices which
are as follows: Ohio, 10 and 20 cents per ton
Pennsylvania "a and ~ cents; Indiana. for
bituminous, IS cents, and block coal 50 cents
per ton.
The report Of the committee was laid on
the table for the time being, and the conven-
tion took a recess for fifteen minutes. to give
the Indiana delegation of operators an op-
portunity to prepare an explanation as 10
why they made the smand for such a reduc-
tion OF the scale. During this time the pres
ident Of the convention received a communi-
cation from that delegation. When read
after the convention reassembled it caused
quite stir In this communication the In
diana people stated that they desired TO with
draw from the convention and would not be
bound by any action taken by it, This ac-
tion was in view f the impossibility 10 come
to any satisfactory terms. The comnunica-
tion was a very respectful one, and the dele
CATION thanked the convention for past
courtesies, but for some unknown rea-
son the chairman refused the report
ers the privilege Of inspecting it, Mr..
H. q. Chapman, of Ohio, moved that
a committee composed of the chairman and
Mr.. Townsend, Of Ohio, be instructed TO
wait upon the lndianians and endeavor to
effect a reconciliation. This move met with
considerable opposition, but finally prevailed
The committee reported that they were una
BILE to find the Indiana delegates anywhere in
the city. The operators OF Indiana seem TO
be determined, while the miners Of that state
are no less resolute IN their determination to
hold up the prices to last years standard.
With this state of affairs some lively scenes
may be expected in the mining circles OF In
diana
The miners and operators Of Ohio and
Pennsylvania display a desire to amicably
adjust their differences, but some dlficu t y
may be experienced before this is accom-
plished
The convention occupied the entire day
and several hours last night in attempting to
form an agreement upon scale Of prices to
be paid miners, but SO far their efforts have
been in vain. The convention is still in ses-
sion and renewed efforts are being made TO
bring about an agreement 1t is rumored
tnat there is trouble between the Knights of
Labor Of Indiana and the Miners National
Progressive union, which will develop later
on. 1t has been decided to hold the next
convention at Pittsburg.