Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-05-18
CONFERREES TALK.
Warm Discussion in the Coal
Convention.
COL. REND's ADVICE TO STRIKERS.

He Also Urges the Operators to Make .
Better Offer. and Proposes . 6O-Cent
Rate for Ohi0-slc Bride Wants COstlier
Coal to Give the Men Higher Wages
Penna Gives Rend "Going-Over -
Conference Failure.
CLEVELAND, May 1S.-The coal conven-
ton was called to order shortly past
o'clock and Chairman Zerbe called for
report of the conference COMMITTEES.
Every delegate in historic Case hall know
Just what it would be--that no agreennent
could he reached-and there were n6oors
priscs in that. After the joint conference
committee had reported that they could
not agree. II. l. Chapman, of Ohio, an
operator and member of the conference
committee, made brief address. He re-
counted the history of the committee
meeting and said that the operators Of
fcrcd u CO and 81 cent scale, while the
miners still! held out for 40 and 20 cents.
He said that in view of the present de-
pressed and strained condition of manu-
fac;ufing interests, the operators could
not concede the advance asked. President
Mcbride was the iirst speaker for the
miners He sIid he was willing to have n
vote taken Oh the compromise offered by
the operators. but he would guarantee
that the miners would be unanimous
aga;n.t it.
Business Gu:ii Upon Starvation.
Continuing the speaker said: LAS ma
tive born citizen blush to think that the
business interests are bGiidcd upon the
starvation and degrading wages paid the
laoorcrs | represent. We want you to
give us living wages and increase the
price of yoUr coal SO You can get fair
PROFIT. There can he no compromise along
the lines ct starvation wages The min
crs make no threats, but they stand to-
gether. peacrably, earnestly and deter
mined rs ever and will go on so, finishing
the presen. fight aud prepared for future
fights"
Following President Mcbride, F. L.
Robbins of Pennsylvania secured the floor
and made "A strong address for the opera
tors. Vice President Penna of the Min
ers' association then took the floor and
spoke in their behalf. making an able
argument to show that the operators were
in position to pay living wages now as
ut any time in the past.
Speech Of Colonel Reni.
Colonel W. p. Rend of Chicago then Sc
CuEcu tit Tie StlU ne came pour
oil on the troubled waters" He urged
both sides to make some concessions and
said that the 6j-cent and 56cent basis for
mining was too low and proposed n COM
promise of 60 and 60 cents. lie scored, the
Miners association for refusing to permit
miners to work in the mines where the OBJ
orators had conceded to the demands of
their men, and said that the car of Rus
STA would not dare to issue such an arbi-
trary ukase. Turning to the miners he
said: "1ou miners must consent to a COM
promise scale. If not, these operators
will fight you until You are defeated. l
nm your friend Let me implore you to
come together You miners abandon your
false position. You operators give the
miners more. Say you agree on a 6O-cent
basis foc Ohio"
Pcnna Scores Rend.
Colonel Rs,id's remarks were applaudcd
by the operators and many of the miners.
X. f. johnson o. Hooking moved to refer
the matter back to the committee on con-
ference 20 report mt p. N. The chair de-
cidcd that Chapman's motion to agree to
the report was before the house. presi-
dent J. a. Crawford, of the Illinois Miners
association, made n short address in which
he referred to Colonel Rend's statement
about his war record, and said he had done
it to strike the shackles off 4. go 600 slaves.
After several other speeches from both
sides, Reno moved that the convention
take II recess. This excited the ire of Vice
President Penna, who, after the motion
had been declared cut of order, turned on
Rend, and, in some hot remarks, scored
that gentleman without naming him for
Institutions against President Mcbride
The final action Of the conference was
taken at the suggestion of the miners, who
presented n resolution declaring that as
long ~ certain operators stood out there
wis no Use considering the question fur
Their and tina. the conference adjourn sine
die. There being nothing else to do the
in:, udopt.J