The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-24

For this reason we are confident and the
rank and file Of the miners more so that
Many of the operators very much de-
plored the passage at arms between Colonel
Rend and President Ratchford. Some of
them were under the impression that it
would have some effect on the result that
is trying to be reached. Colonel Rend left
tonight for Buffalo, in the best of humor,
saying that he was satisfied an agreement
would be reached.
This evening Mr. Ratchford made the fol-
lowing statement: We met and heard the
purpose of the conference explained. In
coming here I was ignorant of its object,
except as it was explained by President Do
Ian. He said it was to be an interstate
conference and that was my impression.
When l heard Colonel Rend talk in the
meeting l learned that the object was TO
submit the matter to arbitration. Being ia
Vorable to arbitration, and also to an inter-
state conference myself, decided that both
objects were worthy, and during the after
loon we discussed both of them.
There is feeling of opposition upon
the part of the operators against the in
terstato conference, for certain business
reasons. The general felinS among them is
in favor of arbitration. To this we have no
objection We believe in arbitration and
favor arbitration, but insist that this ques-
ton If arbitrated must be arbitrated on
the basis of living wages. Further than
this we will not go. The operators, on the
other hand, believe that work should be
resumed at the old prices, pending arbitra-
tion at a retroactive rate. We struck
against the old price because it did not af
ford our miners a living. and we will not
resume work at any price less than the
price demanded, which is the lowest possi-
BILE rate than men can labor for.
ITO prove the sincerity of this claim we
are willing to refer 1t to a fair board of
arbitration. In the meantime the 69-cent
rate must prevail 1t will require no less
than sixty days for a board of arbitration
to reach the desired conclusion.
81 have been misquoted | never re-
ceived q request to come to Pittsburg to
go into a conference. They never proposed
arbitration until to-day, except when
Colonel Rend suggested it some weeks ago
on the basis and with the understanding
to resume at the former price pending the
decision of three United States judges.
This we promptly refused without consider
alton, as it was unfair in the extreme and
it's unfarness was manifested more con-
who pretends fairness.
"If | am a traitor TO the cause of labor,
why should Colonel Rend and | disagree.
Rend accused John Mcbride of selling the
whom I succeeded of being coal operator
and working in league with the operators.
1t is the most natural thing that he should
accuse me after disagreement. L not
the least alarmed about Rend's accusa-
ton. l would as soon have him accusing
me to-day as to have mis- friendship. John
Nugent of Ohio, and Pat Dolan, of Pitts
burg were also among the men accused.
In fact everybody who has ever served in
an official capacity has been accused by
him.
IF we can have conference with the
other States included it would be much
better. If a settlement is made in Pitts
burg of course 1T will be beneficial but
with the others States included in the con-
ference it would not only be more beneficial
but it would be permanent all of which
we so much desire