Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-09-09
Is N DOUBT.
Sentiment Of the Convention Of
Coal Miners Is Against the
Operators Proposition.
DEPENDS ON THE NATIONAL BOARD

Its Influence To Be Exerted Today and May
swing the Delegates to the Proposed Set.
uement-nlinois Dead Against the Plan.
and in Case Of . Vote Indiana Has the-
Balance Of Power-The Fight Against DE
Armit to Go Right Along.
Columbus, O., Sept. 9.-The Interstate
miners convention adjourned last even
ing until this morning without having
taken vote on the question of accept
ing or rejecting the proposed settle
merit Of the strike. The prospects for
the acceptance of the settlement are
somewhat doubtful: in fact a canvass
OF the situation shows that a majority
OF the votes-unless some change should
be brought about-wiil be cast against
the proposed settlement.
The greater part of the afternoon ses-
Sion OF the convention was secret, the
delegates listening to speeches from Ma
tlonal President Ratchford and State
Presidents Farms. of Ohio: Knight. Of
Indiana; Carson. of Illinois, and Dolan,
OF Pittsburg. All of these officials with
the exception of Carson argued in favor
OF the acceptance of the Pittsburg opera
tors proposition. They told the dele
gates very plainly that if the PROPOSE
ton was rejected the strike would fail
utterly; that the contest could not be
continued. as all resources had been ex-
hausted.
Why Carson Opposed the Scheme.
They advised that inasmuch as the
strike had been precipitated in the Pitts
Dufg district 1t was very proper that it
should be settled there. President Car
son, OF Illinois, told the delegates Just
as plainly why they could not support the
proposition for settlement. He said the
LIMOS miners were practically ignored
by 1t. The operators of his state had no.
tineo MIN that they would not abide by
any settlement made with the Pittsburg
operators. In many of the Illinois dis
trscts. moreover. the miners had signed
lrorclad contracts which run until next
May Should the Pittsburg and Ohio
and Indiana miners resume operations
the Illinois operators would be compelled
TO open their mines also, and the only
recourse the miners of the state would
have would be a local strike, for which
they were unprepared. The best they
could do would be to accept the opera
tors terms. and that would eventually
force reduction again in the other
states.
Fixed the Basis of tho Vote.
The most important action Of the con-
Vention yesterday was in determining
the basis of representation. Some of the
delegates wanted a rule that no dele
gate should be allowed to cast more than
six votes. This if adopted, would
have settled the question of the accept
ance of the strike settlement very quick
" ha
ton. however. that representation should
be fixed SO that all miners should have
voice in the settlement Accordingly
it was decided that one vote should he
cast for every 100 miners represented.
This makes the vote to be cast by each
state about as follows: Western Penn
sylvana. go: Ohio. $50: West Virginia.
ITO; Indiana, 60; Illinois, 200. The Illinois
vote. which will be cast against the ac-
ceptance OF the operators proposition,
will about offset the vote of western
Pennsylvania (Pittsburg district). The
Vote OF Ohio is about equally divided on
the proposition: also the West Virginia
vote.
Indiana Can Control the Issue.
This practically leaves the balance of
power in the hands of the Indiana dele
gates. Should they vote with Illinois
which some of the delegates say they
have instructions to do by inference, if
not by direct language-the proposed
settlement will undoubtedly be defeated.
The Indiana delegates say they are in
structed not to vote in favor OF the op-
orators proposition unless general set
Element will be effected by it. In view
Of the position of the Illinois miners they
do not see their way clear to vote to ac-
cept the proposition. 1t developed last
night that the vote of the Pittsburg dis
trict will not be unanimous in favor OF
accepting the settlement, as smoe Of the
delegates have stated openly that they
would not vote for 1t. The leaders OF
accepting the settlement, as some Of the
sionary work and have hopes that they
will be able to turn the tide in favor Of a
settlement. Today the members Of the
national executive board will be heard
by the convention. and as they all
strongly indorse the settlement their
views may have considerable weight
with the delegates.