The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-05-31
IT FELL THROUGH.
Bitter Warfare in theCOalFieldS
Music Go On.
No Settlement at the Conference
at Springfield.
A BLACK OUTLOOK.
A BLACK OUTLOOK.
Every Fellow For Himself Devil
Take the HindmOSt,
Is the Expression Used to State
the Situation.

SPRINGFIELD, Ills, May 31.-Ih0 coal
operators conference was called to order
today with c. c. Brown, of this city, as
chairman, and Paul Morton, of Chicago,
secretary. Forty operators were present.
The southern and central operators were
not present and said they would not go
into the conference unless the consoli-
dated and larger mine operators did The
smaller operators were afraid of being
squeezed by the larger ones.
A mass meeting of miners was held
down town and was largely attended.
The men said they were ready to treat
with the operators at any time The
chances for a settlement seemed rather
slim.
LATER.-The conference of coal oper-
ators of Illinois called to attempt a set
tlement of the strike adjourned sine die
this afternoon, having accomplished
nothing. The operators say it is now
every man for himself and the devil take
the hindmOSt.
The conference passed resolutions de-
ploring the fact that the southern opera
tors refused to meet with those from
northern Illinois and announcing that
the latter were ready to fix scale salts
factory and fair to all operators.
Charles Ridgely,. president of the
ter the conference and sent word to that
effect. The members criticise him
severely, claiming settlement could be
effected at this meeting if he would
go N.
Several motions to adjourn were made
and as quickly voted down. G. M.
Swallow, representing the Danville
field said he would speak in behalf of
his section, that they would not enter
the conference because the consolidated
miners were not in it; that if Ridgely
would come in he would allow the Dan
fiol6 RI To n hat
might be done. Mr.. Swallow also stated
that he had been authorized also to
speak in a like manner for the
fields in central and southern Illinois.
They all knew it would be but squeeze
if they allowed a settlement to be made
unless the Consolidated and larger mines
were forced to enter the agreement with
those now in conference.
F. w. Tracey of this city, deplored the
failure of the conference, and as the
reason offered bv Mr.. Sweet was simply
in the interest of northern operators, he
moved its death, which motion prevailed
Said Tracey: 'We are not conquered
by the miners, but are conquered by the
operators and do nothing unless
every operator in Illinois agrees to do
something with u.s.
At a meeting to form a permanent or
ganization of the members now here it
was voted down and lost.
Mr. Spellman of Danville, then
arose and said: "This meeting
proves that the operators of II
linois intend to run their own
business. We can't do thing here. Let
us go home and trust to time to settle
this strike" and making a motion to ad-
journ sine die, he retired.
This motion was then unanimously
adopted. The conference adjourned.
Several of the operators were seen
after the conference adjourned and the
cOncensus of their opinion is that it is
now "every man for himself and the
devil take the hindmost"
The southern Illinois operators say
they will now go home and try and effect
a settlement with their own men on the
best terms they can secure. They are
red hot mad against the northern
operators and all the consoli-
dated operators in general, and President
Charles Ridgely in particular, and say if
it had not been for Ridgely the entire
matter would have been settled today and
before dinner. State President Crawford
and National President Mcbride of the
federation say the situation now reverts to
its inception and make no specific state
ment as to what will now be DONE The
whole matter was with the operators and
they were to blame for all future pro-
ceedings.