The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-08-24
MINERS CONFERENCE
Employer and Employe Discussing
Mode Of Settlement.
;REED DENoUNCEs RAToHFoRD.
Declares That tho Miners Chosen
Representative Should De Hanged
as an Anarchist, and Is Anxious to
4 Pull tho Rope.


Representative Should De Hanged
as IN Anarchist, and Is Anxious to
Pull tho Rope.
Pittsburg. Aug. 24.-Miners to resume
work at the bi cent rate pending de-
eision of the board Of arbitration Min
ers to resume work at al intermediate
rate between the rate demanded and
the one paid prior to suspension, pend
ing decision Of q board Of arbitration.
Niners to resume operations without
price named. pending decision of
board Of arbitration.
These three propositions were sub
mitted by the special committee Of
railroad coal operators of the Pitts
burg district at conference held last
night.
Miners to resume work at the 60 cent
rate pending the decision of 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 will stand firm on the
proposition they have made.
After the conference several mem-
bers of the committee Of operators said
that 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 deliberatcd
upon. From the best information ut
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 Dolnn,
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 tear3.
the conditions were deplored by the
operators. Now, he said, 1t was differ
ent. The operators had come TO the
miners. He expressed himself in favor
of arbitration at 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 Ratchrord es-
timated that q universal strike and q
demand for an eight hour day and q
readjustment of the wage question
would be the result of the St. Louis
convention. MIR. Rend replied by call
Ing Ratchford O villain. traitor, black
guard and an anarchist. With en-
phasis no told him that seven nnarch-
lists had been hung In Chicago, and
all were better than he; that il he pre-
cipitatcd an insurrection In this coun.
try he would be hung, and When he
was hung he (Rend) wanted to rull
the rope. Colonel Rend left the con-
ference in rage.
In the meantime the conference got
down to work. President Ratchlord
made an apology for some Of the state
ments he made, and District President
Dolan made a statement. He stated his
position, which was almost similar to
that Of Rutchford.
The operators then decided that
committee be appointed to meet with
the miners officials. and II possible
come to some agreement. A short con-
ference was held with the committee,
and II was agreed TO meet at D. m..
and II possible arrive at some con-
DluBion. The conference was held and
1t lasted for several hours. The propo-
sltions as stated were made aAld dis
pussed. and an adjournment taken un-
III today.
In statement given to the press last
night President Ratchford says:
"Our purpose Is plain. We go before
the whole country with it. The man.
ngement OF our strike thus far has
been equally plain, and Us conscrva-
tive as 1t Is possible for IL strife of such
proportions to be conducted. The
peaccable behavior CT our miners
everywhere demonstrates a strong de-
sire on their part to heed cur advice
and to preserve the peace under the
most trying conditions. It Is not neces-
pnry for Inc TO state that an honest
public opinion is with us, all efforts
to divert 1t In another direction TO the
contrary notwithstanding. Our claim
Is Just, which no man who has the
uauso Of humanity at heart can deny.
For this reason we are confident that
the rank and file Of the miners, more
60 than we. will win this battle"
Many Of tho operators very much de-
plored the passage at arms between
Colonel Rend and President Rutchford.
Some Of them were under the impress
sion that It would have some effect
bn the result that Is trying to be reach
ed Colonel Rend last night left for
Buffalo In the best Of humor, saying
that he was satisfied an agreement
would be reached.
STRIKERS CAPTURE TRAINS.
DosteEo Working Miners nnd Compel