New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-04-30
TALK OF A CONFERENCE.
MINERS AND OPERATORS MAY ARRANGE
\ SETTLEMENT
DENT MBRIDE-ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY
FIVE THOUSAND MEN NOW OFT

CONGKESSMAN TOM l.. JOHNSON VISITS PRESl-
DENT MBRIDE-oNE HUNDRED AND SIXTY
FIVE THOUSAND MEN NOW OFT
Columbus. Ohio April 29.--The air here is full Of
rumors Of an arrangement for National confer
ence Of miners and operators for settlement
of the great coal strike, for uniform rate OF 20
cents a ton. but nothing definite is known. and the
National officers deny that any proposition for
conference has come from any person who could
be recognized by them. They will confer with no
person or committee that does not come with
full power TO speak and act for the miners of all
the bituminous coal fields. as there Is 20 be no
local settlement allowed. Tom l.. Johnson the
Cleveland Congressman and manufacturer. was
here Friday and held a conference with Presi-
dent Mcbride. He came and went very quietly. and
the fact that he had called was not given out at
the headquarters. Mr. Johnsons name has been
connected with the movement to arrange a con
ference.
Secretary p. a. McBryde left the city last night.
1t is believed that he is mission connected
with the proposed conference.
President Mcbride says the second week OF the
strike begins ausp!cously for the miners. They
have their forces well in hand. and are receiving
rcnforcements daily. All the men engaged in min
ing block coal In Indiana. excepting only 5O2. are
now out, participating in the strike There are 5ov'
OF them in all OF the 1900 men employed In min
ing coal In the coke regions Of PENNSYLVANIA, Loco
are now out. In his previous estimate he counted
include in his latest estimate the Indiana block Goa!
miners mentioned above. Altogether. of the $4,000
men employed in the United States mining b.tumi-
nous coal FOR n! purposes. l&'VV are now oui par
tcipacnS in the strike ordered by thr National ''h
VtntiON.
When It is known" said President Mcbride.
that the small proportion Of The btuminous mtncrs
Still at work is made up largely OF negroes ana uh-
skllful wOrSmen II be- seen tina; pracucaiy
the whole production Of coal has been stopped
He predicts a coal famine that Will plrdlNZr In
luSrles before the middle Of May IL tn" strike goes
on, and says it WI! begin 10 be felt very soF'N by
the 10th OF May.
President Mcbride has just been Informed that
the miners at Broad Top near the MARYLAND ana
Virginia line have refused 70 accept scale wages.
These are newly organized miners. and such firm
ness was hardly TO be expected
Chicago. April @-'The Herald" this morning
saws that secret conferences OF operators IN the
Illinois and Indiana coal fields and Western repre-
sentatves OF Ohio and Pennsylvania operators were
hold in this city yesterday. looking TO the settle
men: I'm the near future OF tho great coal miners
strike The result Of the conferences was that
last evening a call was sent ont ior Il confeTcnc'
Of the bosses at any point they agreed upon. The
conference THE Herald" says. Is likely TO be held
AZ Pittsinlrg although Columbus may he chosen.
James " Ellsworth, one Of the represeniatlV'S
who attended the conferences. SAID he believed the
strike would bc Of short duration ana that a
prOposition would b. soon submitted to the miners
that would be acceptable TO th'in