The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-12-29
ATTACK ON JOHN BURNS
A COAL OPERATOR OBJECTS TO HIS
PRESENCE IN AMERICA
And Opposed Motion to Give Him a
ident Mcbride IL Pe.simistic.

PITTSBURG, PA, Dec. 2S.-The open
ing session Of the joint convention OF the
operators and miners Of the PittsbuFs
railroad ccal district was marked by
several sensational uttcrances, in when
John Burns, NJ. T., the great commoner
Of England, came IN FOR a stirring re-
buke, delivered IN stentorian tones, by
Colonel w. II. Rend, the well-known coal
operator OF Chicago and owner Of several
mines in the Pittsburs district.
The Other feature was plain, but
forcible, statement OK the situation in
the Pittsburg mining circles, as presented
by John Mcbride, president of the United
Mine Workers and president-elect Of the
American Federation of Labor, In which
he openly avOwed that the conditions to-
day were worse than prior 10 the general
strike
MIR. Chapman, Of the Standard Coal
Company, was chosen 10 preside. Chair
man Chapman suggested that John Burns,
who was yesterday in the lobby, should
be invited 10 a seat In the convention.
When a motion 10 this effect was made
Colonel Rend arose and said:
MIR. BURNS ExcoRIATED.
"Mr. Chairman. / object TO the courte-
sles of this convention being extended 10
Mr. Burns, who is here for the double
purpose Of discussing labor Qatters and
also Of slandering and yillifyine American
institutions. Mr.. Burns Is a stranger In
America; II is therefore, more titting that
he shall observe the decencies and pro-
prleties Of the position that he occupies
These proprieties he has constantly vio-
lated by his malignant attacks upon our
institutions. / would advise chat Mr..
Burns return TO the country from which
he came and crticise the customs, man
ners and institutions of his own land
which he will find infinitely more de-
serving of his criticism and abuse than
ANYTHING he can find here. | know IL is
the custom for 'Blarsted Britishers' TO
indulge in improprieties, which l protest
| Ia the case Of Mr.. Burns. II Is about time
for American manhood to resent the Of
fenslve conduct OF these men. ] have no
| objection whatever to listening 10 the
views of Mr.. Burns upon labor matters or
sociology. My protest is simply directed
| against glarng abuse that has become
| in this country intolerable.'
ONLY ONE NO"
As Colonel Rend resumed his seat there
was an unbroken silence. Mr.. Burns, who
| stood listening all the time, moved just
little from a studied position he had
| assumed at the beginning. Chairman
| Chapman. just a trihe confused, rose and
| put the motion TO seat Mr.. Burns. Ii
was carried, there being but one dis
| senting voice. Colonel Rend having voted
40" Not having a voice in the conven-
! tion, Mr. Burns had 10 remain silent
Colonel Rend again secured permission
] Of the floor and for half an hour address
| ed the meeting. telling the story Of the
! min up nd "a ffr
/ and the causes leading 20 the differences.
! Then followed President John Mcbride S
| address. Then the conveL-tson adjourned
J a. noon.
| THE WAGE RATE NOT SETTLED.
No settlement of the wage rate was
| reached to-day. The question was lell
| 10 a committee consisting of three opera
! tors, three miners and three dlalnteres tc,
| citizens OF Pittshurg. This cOmmittC,
| will not meet inside of two weeks. ana
| in the meantime che district rate Wu
| remain hfty-five cents, the price alop,e,
! boy the Railroad coal Operators Aasoeia
! ton.
| But three Of the committee was APP
! pointed. and they represented tho miners
! Tile operators viii appoint their thre.
| members neNt week, and these slN VII
| select the three disiuterestyl citizens
/ Tie committee viii fully investigate tc'
cause for the deplOrble condition %,
| affairs ln this district and sucgcs.
methods by which o recurrence will. 3,
| prevented.
secretary Mcbride said the miners ID
! this district made less than - "a day
and that If the operators would no,
! try ana arrange the living rate &c ~
Impossible for miners 90 strike 10 upho,
tbs district rate, as they had no none.
10 live on The miners that worked io
less than 81 day could not supp0r
themselves. let alone those that would b
| willing 10 so on strike for uniform