The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1897-08-24
MINERS CONFERENCE
and Employo Discussing
a Mode Of Settlement,
RBND DBNOUNCBs RAToHFOBD.


ns an Anarchist, and Is Anxious to
Pun the Rope.
Pittsburg Aug. 24.--Miners to resume
work at the 54 cent rate pending a de-
cision of the board Of arbitration. Min
ers to resume work at an intermediate
rate between the rate demanded and
the one paid prior to suspension, pend
ing a decision of a board of arbitration.
Miners to resume operations without a
price named, pending a decision OF a
board of arbitration.
These three propositions were sub
mitted by the special committee Of
railroad coal operators of the Pitts
burg district at a conference held last
night
Miners to resume work at the SO cent
rate pending the decision of a board
of arbitration.
This is the proposition submitted by
the officers of the miners to the special
committee. The propositions were talk
ed over in an informal manner by both
sides, when an adjournment was taken
until this morning.
AS near as can be learned the min
ers officials viii stand firm on the
proposition they have made.
After the conference several mem
bers Of the committee of operators said
that a conference of operators, in which
are to be included the operators Of
other states, had been entirely elimi-
mated from the controversy, and that
only the Pittsburg district was being
considered. National President Ratch-
ford and District President Dolan
stoutly maintained that the question
was still an interstate one, and the
general strike was being deliberated
upon. From the best information at
hand the contending parties are still
far apart. The operators hope that one
of their propositions will be accepted,
while the miners officials say that they
will not recede in the least from the
position they have taken. President
Dolan said he was satisfied that they
would come to some definite under
standing today.
At the afternoon session there were
present on behalf of the miners Presi-
dent Ratchford, W. c. Pearce, secre-
tary and treasurer; Patrick Dolan,
district president; First Vice President
Edward Mckay and Secretary William
! Warner President Ratchford made a
statement of the case. He said on for
mer occasions the miners went to the
| operators, when, with crocodile tears,
! the conditions We're deplored by the
| operators. Now, he said, it was differ
! ent. The operators had come to the
miners. He expressed himself in favor
of arbitration at a living rate of wages.
This brough Colonel Rend to his feet
He said that there could be no arbi-
tration on the lines laid down by
Ratchford. He referred to the meet
ing at st. Louis, when Ratchford es-
timated that a universal strike and q
demand for an eight hour day and a
readjustment of the wage question
would be the result of the St. Louis
convention. Mr.. Rend replied by call.
ing Ratchford a villain, traitor, black
guard and an anarchist. With EN-.
phasis he told him that seven anarch.
lists had been hung in Chicago, ant
all We're better than he; that if he pre-
cipitated an insurrection in this coun
try he would be hung, and when h,
was hung he (Rend) wanted to pul
the rope. Colonel Rend left the con
ference in a rage.
In the meantime the conference go
down to work. President RatchforC
made an apology for some of the state
ments he made, and District Presiden
Dolan made a statement. He stated hi
position, which was almost similar Il
that Of Ratchford..
The operators then decided that
committee be appointed to meet will
the miners officials, and if possibl
come to some agreement. A short con
ference was held with the committee
and it was agreed to meet at p. M
and if possible arrive at some con
clusion The conference was held an,
it lasted for several hours. The propo
sitions as stated were made and dis
cussed. and an adjournment taken un
til today.
In a statement given to the press las
night President Ratchford says:
"Our purpose is plain. We go befor
the whole country with It, The man
agement of our strike thus far ha
been equally plain, and as conserva
tive as it is possible for strike of sue
, proportions to be conducted. TIL
peaceable behavior of our miner
everywhere demonstrates a strong de
sire on their part to heed our advic
and to preserve the peace under tn
most trying conditions. It is not neces
sary for me to state that an homes
public opinion is with us, all effort
to divert it in another direction to tn
contrary Notwithstanding. Our CLAIM
is just, which no man who has tn
D cause of humanity at heart can deny
For this reason we are confident tina
the rank and file of the miners, NOR
so than we, will win this battle"
Many of the operators very much de
plored the passage at arms between
= Colonel Rend and President Ratchford
Some of them were under the impress
= sion that it would have some effec
on the result that is trying to be reach
ed, Colonel Rend last night left 70
q Buffalo in the best of humor, sayin
that ne was satisfied an agreemel
f. would be reached,
y c,rrr8Tr~urr4G "a DTTrDu mn A TATG