Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-05-18

convention was called to order seemed
aS far apart as they ever were, ana az
the Hollenden and Weddell, where the
operators are quartered, the belief
seems 10 be general that when evening
comes the conference will come 70 an
end without having reached anything
approaching a settlement. Not even a
mOduS vivendi whereby the country
may be supplied with coal and the Ques-
tiOn OF wages discussed at another time
was expected.
The convention was called 70 order az
shortly past 9 o'clock, and Chairman
Sers called for the report Of the confer
ence committee. Every delegate in
historic Case Hall knew just what il
would be, that no agreement could be
reached. and there were were no sur
prises ia that.
The miners had been informed by the
morning newspapers OF the belief eI-
pressed by the operators that President
Mcbride could DO. keep the men on
strike much longer, and they proceeded
20 dispel
WHAT THEY CALLED A DELUsTON
upon the part Of their employers. They
pointed 70 the fact that strikes so com
plsts sRd far reaching in its results are
not declared of by the strikers when
they have so much 70 encourage and so
little 80 discourage them. Secretary
Patrick j. McBryds mas insisted all
along that no settlement can be made
because the operators have not yet felt
the rgOrs OF a cOmplete tie up. Many
operators started home last night, leav-
ing their proxies, ami one went away
lbls morning, 50 that the cOnven-
tiOu, when IL was called 70 or
der, consisted OF not more than
three hundred delegates There were
4Ol on the first day. The small opera
tors expect she larger ones % make an
effort 10 break the strike. They, espe-
cially those from PittsburR who have
taken contracts 10 deliver about 500, 600
tons Of coal 70 railroads and for the
lake trade for from 81. 90 20 50. Il, pre-
vented a settlement. Last season coal
for fueling vessels sold from So - to
$3.50, but this year before navigation
was fairly opened an operating COM
pauy took the contract to fuel vessels
for s19O Oae Of the western roads
gets its supply at Green Bay, Wis, for
Sl.9S from a local firm, after being
SHIPPED BY RAIL AND WATER
over 1000 miles. Such contracts "a
these have so far prevented settle o.
ment OF the vexed question.
After the joint conference committee
had reported that they could not agree,
operator IA. L. Chapman, Of Ohio, and
q member OF the conference committee
made a brief address He recouated
the history OF the committee meeting,
and said that the operators offered %
and SO cent scales. while the miners
still held out for 20 and 30 ceDts. He
said that in view OF the present depreS-
sion and the strained condition OF manu-
featuring interests, the operators could
not condede the advance asked.
President Mcbride was the first
speaker for the miners. He said be
was willing 70 have vote taken on the
compromise offered by the operators
but be would guarantee that the miners
would be unaDinOuS against 10. Con-
tinuing, the speaker said: "As a native
born citizen, / blush 20 think that the
business interests are buiIded upon the
starvation and degrading wages paid
the labOrers ! represent. We want you
TO give us living wages aud increase the
price Of your coal so you can get fair
profit There eau be no compromise
along the lines OF starvation wages. The
MINERS NARE 40 THREATS,
but they stand together, peaceably,
earnestly and determined as ever aud
will 90 on so, finishing the present fight
and prepared for future fights
Following President Mcbride, +. l..
Robbins, Of Pennsylvania secured the
floor and made a strong address for the
operators.
Vice President Pen ma, Of the Miners
Association. took the floor aud spoke in
tneir behalf, making sn able argument
20 show that the operators were in q
position 10 pay living wages now as al
al ' time in the past.
Colonel w. P. Rend, Of Chicago, then
secured the floor. lie said be came 70
pour oil on the trouble waters"
Es urged both sides 20 make some
concessions, and said that the 65 cent
aud So cent basis for mining was too
low, and proposed a compromise OF go
association for refusing TO permit min
ers 10 work ia the mines where the op-
orators had conceded the demands OF
their men, and said that the Car of
Russia would not dare 70 issue such an
arbitrary ukare. Turning 70 the miners,
be said: 'You miners must consent 10
a comprise scale. II not, these opera
tors will tight you until YOU are defeat
ed. an your friend. Let me imploe
YOU TO come together. You mineys
abandon your false position. You opp
ratOrs give the miners more. Say you
agree on a 60 cent basis for Ohio
COL Rend's remarks were
APPLAUDED BY THE OPERATORS
and many miners.
Mr.. r. H. johnson, Of Hooking,
moved 20 refer the matter back to the
committee on conference to report at
.. IN.
The chair decided that Mr.. Chap
mans motion TO agree to the report was
before the house.
President J. A. Crawford. OF the Hi
nOis miners association made short
address. in which be referred TO Col.
Rend's statement about bis war record.
ahj said be had done il to strike the
shackels OF 1000, 200 slaves.
After several bpeechss from both