Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-09-03

The Strikers Appear to Feel ThaJ
They Have Things Very Much
Their Own Way and That Sixty
Nine Cents or Nothing is About
the Size Of What They Want.
Even IF an Agreement is Reached
Between the Operators Commit
tee and the Executive Board IL
Must Still be Submitted to the
Strikers for Approval, Before 1t /
Can Become Operative--Out LOOK |
Does Not Grow Brighter.
Columbus, Ohio, September Zine |
National Executive Board OF the Uni
ted Mine Workers adjourned until TO-
morrow morning without reaching a
conclusion on the proposition OF the
Pittsburg operators, and it is impossi-
BILE to predict what will be done.
The board had very stormy session
this afternoon, and there appears to be
very decided difference OF opinion
among the members as to the best
course to pursue. The proposition OF
the Pittsburg operators applies speclflc-
ally to that district, but in effect all
ether districts are concerned. The pro-
position is that the Pittsburg miners
shall return at a 64-cent rate pending
arbitration, the conditions of the arbl-
tration to be that the rate for mining
shall not be fixed at more than 69 cents
a ton nor less than 60 cents. Under
such conditions the miners maintain
that they would probably not secure
/ through arbitration more than 65 cents.
Here is where the temper OF the Pitts
burg miners has been asserted. Ihey
want 60 cents, and there is some doubt
whether they could be induced to ac-
cept less without vigorous protest
and a long drawn out controversy. Inc
Ohio miners want all they can get, ma
turally, but what they insist upon most
| is the maintenance of the dlfferentlal
of nine cents in their favor, which
they have held SO long.
Whether any settlement could be Sc
cured through an acceptance OF the
proposition OF the PittsDurg operators
is a matter of opinion upon winch the
members of the miners national eXecu-
tive board differ. They all agree that
thew cannot act for the miners, ana
that, the vMosi they can ID. 90 is 10 SUI
in their opinion as to how such recon-
mendations should be submitted,
whether to convention of the Pitts
burg miners alone or to a general con-
vention. The repeated assertions OF
the miners officials that no settlement
would be made by districts, places them
In very embarrassing pos On and II
matter of official policy alone were
concerned the present meeting of the
board would be cut very short. Some
Of the members of the board, however,
think they should accomplish some
thing before taking final adjournment,
and this is the only thread upon whuch
action looking toward a settlement of
the strike may be expected. None of
the members of the board will discuss
the situation and the proceedings of
their meeting have been guarded with
the utmost secrecy.
Separate sessions were held tonight
by the national executive board and
the committee of the P.ttsburg opera
tors Both meetings were of an infor-
NAL nature, but that of the miners
board was important. The members
agreed to reject the propositionk of the
operators. 1t appears that the price
to be paid for machine mining is the
principal stumbling block. The opera
tors offer to pay only half of the price
or pick mining for machine mining
land the miners demand two-thirds.
We're this objection disposed of it
is doubtful, however, whether the 9TH
Yer differences could be settled. The
miners Will offer no counter PROPOSE
tion and the operators committee is
: not empowered to make a new one.
Another joint conference will be held
tomorrow morning and both operators
nd miners will endeavor to arrive at
more perfect understanding of inst
each side demands. A member Of
miners board stated tonight he
lght some step might vet be taken
ard settlement. but had no def
idea along what lines il might be,
1TTSBURG. Pa. September 2.-Judg-
from surface Indications Ratchford
Is colleagues will reject the offer to
to work at GA cents pending arhi
Great influence has been brought
lr to induce them 10 assume such an
hde. The sentiment among the min
here is so intense for a 50 cent or
hing settlement. that all the local
br leaders have advised strongly for a
inuation of the fight to the bitter end
retary Warner wired this morning
miners want 50 cents or defeat
submit to the Hanna proposition. |
called to vote would only entail
expenditure of money The min |
eve they have victory within their |
and will not submit. The district |
rd Is In hearty accord with his view |
the last meeting of the executive board |
resolution was passed to allow the min !
IS TO decide by a referendum vote all |
Propositions to settle the strike There |
Iore, the matter will have to go to rh,, |
miners all over the country. 1t would |
require fully two weeks to get such a vote. |
This referendum resolution is one of the
principal obstacles to compromise.
The Pittsburg and Chicago Gas Coal
company is securing deputies The COM
pany is determined to start Tuesday and
the miners in company houses have been
notified 70 vacate. Superintendent Van
Eman fears trouble
1t was expected that Senator TilIman
who is visiting Reayer d, 49,. |