Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-02-03
is NOT SETTLED YET.
No Agreement Between Connellsville
Operators and Miners.
RESULT OF A SECOND CONFERENCE.
The Men Insist That the Business JUS
tifes Increased Wages
LIVE NEWS FROM THE THREE STATES


SPECIAL TELKcRLM TO THE pIsPATcH.i
ScoTTDALE, Feb. 2.-The second con-
ference of the miners and coke operators OF
the Connellsville region was held here to-
day, and still there is no settlement Of the
wage difficulties. Operators and Superin-
tendents Bremen, Ramsey, Vandusen, Dill
niger, Overholt, Staufer, McFadyen and
Taylor were present, and the miners were
represented by Messrs. Mcbride, Barrett,
Dehaven, Keegan, Spence, the District Otl-,
GERS Wise and Parker and President John
B. Rae, of the United Mine Workers.
Shortly after the opening of the meeting the
operators committee. Messrs. Bremen
and McFadyen, began business by present
ing the following proposition to the Scale
Committee of the mine workers:
ScoTTDALE, Feb. 2
MIR. Jas. Keegan. President: Mr.. Michael Barrett
Secretary h. Of L. Scale Committee:
GENTLEMEN - We hereby demand 10
per cent reduction on all classes and kinds
of labor and level full wagons on
tipples from the rates paid in agreement wnlcn
will expire February 10, 1891. The Justice ana
equity of this demanded reduction will be ap-
parent 10 your committee and the Workmen
when they take into consideration the present
condition of the coke trade, as well as the Tut
ure outlook for the year 1891.
This led to thorough ventilation of the
miners attitude, and a lively discussion fol-
lowed. The miners committee peremptorily
declined to consider the proposition. and said
thev wanted material increase instead of a
reduction in wages. They said they DID not
take the gloomy outlook of the future as the
operators were disposed TO, and believed that
trade will shortly be eDlivened and such prices
rule as would Justify an advance, which they
would stand for.
What the Operators Claim.
The operators held that the coke outlook
was blue; that the iron industry, on which it is
wholly dependent, was in an unsatisfactory
condition, and in all justice they should will
ingly share the burden of depression by sub
mitting to a reduction of 10 per cert The
miners committee then produced several argu-
ments to convince operators that their de-
mands for a general advance of about 1915
per cent were reasonable beyond doubt and
should be conceded. The question of filling
wagons has caused much contention, and many
threatened strikes in the region during the
past year by the operators, claiming they should
be level full on the tipples, and the miners
holding that they should be level full at the
feet at the rooms in the mines.
The operators proposition to the workmen
to-day, which was rejected, puts particular
stress on this subject of having them level full
on the tipples. The general situation was dis
cussed at length, though neither side would
withdraw from their positions General Man.
aCer Lynch, of the Frick Company, was absent
and this is cited as the principal cause for no
decisive action. The operators and miners as
we'll were united in the opinions that should
an agreement be effected there should be full
understanding on all matters so that the fric-
ton would be reduced to a minimum. There
has been many strikes in the region the past
year, which they think could have been avoided
had the right interpretations been taken from
the agreement
No Conclusions Were Reached.
The conference was in session for several
hours, and questions pertaining to new labor
contract were fully aired. No conclusions
were reached, but it is the general impression
that the two contending parties are not SO far
from an amicable settlement of their difficult
ties as they were month since.
James Keegan, Chairman of the Miners
Committee stated tonight:
I'VE have not yet waived our demands,
presented to operators a month since. am
hopeful of a settlement however, but do not
know what concessions will be made to accom-
plish that end. We want an increase. i can
assure you of that fact we are determined"
The question of weigh scales on tipples and
the eight-hour system were not broached at
to-day's meeting. An operator said: We
could not do much to-day owing to the en-
forced absence of General Manager Lynch,
who is appearing before the legislative CON-
mittee at Mammoth mine. As to the prospects
for settlement l am not prepared to make a
statement. The present agreement will close
next Tuesday, and in consequence the 49, 600
workers are eagerly awaiting developments.
Hundreds of the workers were here to-day
anxious TO learn the outcome of the conference.
The conference adjourned to reconVene to.
morrow.