The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-08-26
WAR TO THE
BITTER END.
The Strike Conference Results in
Nothing But Bitter Feeling.
STATEMENTS OF BOTH SIDES.
NEITHER SIDE WOULD LISTEN
TO THE OTHERS PROPOSITIONS.
THE OPERATORS MAKING PRE-
PARAT1ONS TO REOPEN THEIR
IDLE MINES WITH NoN-UNIoN
. LABOR.

IiCCSDurB, aug. 20.-Ihe great coal
strike will continue. The conference be-
tW cen coal operators and coal miners adj
journed today without action Both
parties to the conference are further
apart than before and the feeling that
has been aroused MAKES it look like war
to the bitter end. The operators are max
ing preparations to reopen their idle mines
with non union men if they can get no
Others. The miners are preparing to re-
sist the attempt.
This mornings session lasted only an
hour, and alter it was over representa-
tives of both sides announced that it had
been found impossible to come to an
agreement, either on n compromis Sc or OIL
NJ bitration.
The conference began it's session Mt IL
O'Clock and by noon had adjourned sine
die.
The operators had made several offers
to the miners, the best being 81 1.2 cents
ton, but all were rejected In return
the miners had made these two PROPOSE
lions, which were rejected by the ope ra-
tors:
''To issue II call for conference of oper-
ntors aud miners representatives of the
competitive States.
The miners to return to work at once
at the % cent rate, until the price could
10 NCbCl Nv Wltlln
thirty days should the decision be for
less than 60 cents, the miners to be
charged with the difference between SO
cents and the award OF the erbitrators.
the difference to be deducted from the
next pay day.
The miners had also refused PROPOSE
ton TO arbitrate the wage question, the
miners to go to work without a price be-
ing set, they to be paid ut the rate agreed
upon by the arbitrators.
President Ratchford was asked why
this offer was not accepted. He replied:
because it applied only to the Pitts
burg district. If we go into an arbtra-
ton Of that kind we want the whole COM
petitive field represented If we would
arbitrate that way here we would be
called upon TO do it in other fields, and
what we want is settlement that will
be general"
The operators statement "for the pub
lie and the miners" was given out at 7 p.
m 1t first recites the proceedings of yes
terday and to-day's meeting, specifies the
proposition made by the operators and
miners, the refusal of the operators to
consent to conference of operators and
miners representatives, from the Compel
ltive coal fields Of western Pennsylvania,
Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, the refusal OF
tration treaty.
The statement continues: "The opera
tors feel that in making their PROPOSE
lions for settlement by Cancellation or ar
bitration, they have exhausted efforts in
trying to bring about n settlement with
the officials. The proposition of Mr..
Ratchford could not be accepUed because
it means an advance of 81 12 cents per
ton in the wage cost, and would entail
heavy losses on the producers. The price
at which coal contracts have been taken
were enforced by the conditions ruling in
the markets in open competition from
other producing fields"
The statement continues with this Sc
rious charge:
"Mr. Ratchford openly claims that the
miners of this district had more than
their share of the coal trade, and that
some OF 1T was being taken from item.
lie claimed that the miners had more of
the lake trade than they were entitled to
and that they would not be permitted to
retain it, In view OF the fact that Mr..
Ratchford lives in Columbus, which is
the home of the Hooking Valley operators,
and they are the largest competitors of
the Pittsburg operators for lake tonnage,
the position taken by Mr. Ratcnford is
startling. This in view Of the fact that
INV iioohiHB fdiioy operators, as stated
by one OF their number, pay over 800, 900
annually to the miners organization.
AR. Ratchford says: THE operators and
miners of this district have more bust
ness than they are entitled to and We are
now arranging to take it from Them e"
In reply..to this, Mr.. at, hford said: sit
IS charged that my proposition means an
increase of " 1.2 per cent. in the wage
rate. admit that my offer to arbitrate
contem plated that the miners return to
york at 30 cents, bnt it stipulated that
the operators should retain ANY amount
over the rate awarded by the arbitrators.
1t Is not true that said the miners and
operators of this district had more than
their share of the lake trade
"ln the discussion at the conference Mr..
Ierbe, the chairman, said the Pittsburg
district was entitled to all of the trade.
lreplied:aa'T do not know what percentage
OF the lake trade this district is entitled
to. know that from 1898 to 1896 you
have increased your percentage of the
lake trade from 4S to re per cent. Mr..
Herbe says you are entitled co all of the
lake trace deny that propositions
THAT, " concluded Mr.. Ratchford, sis
all | said.'
a lNSURANC MEN