The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-09
If the Delegates from This State Vote
Against the Columbus Agreement
the Strike VIII Go On.
NOTHING DONE YESTERDAY
EXCEPT TO FIX REPRESENTATION IN
THE CONVENTION.
Majority of the Delegates Now at CO.
lumbus Seemingly Opposed to Ac-
cepting the 65-Cent Rate.

miners convention adjourned this evening
without having taken vote on the ques-
tion of accepting or rejecting the settle
ment of the strike. The prospects for the
acceptance of the 65-cent proposition are
somewhat doubtful; in fact, a canvas Of
the situation shows a majority of the
votes, unless some changes should be
brought about, will be cast. against it, The
greater part of the afternoon session of
the convention was secret. the delegates
listening to speeches from National Presi-
dent Ratchford and State Presidents
Firms, of Ohio; Knight. of Indiana; Car
son, of Illinois. and Dolan, of Pittsburg.
All of the officers, with the exception Of
Mr.. Carson, argued In favor of the accept
ance of the Pittsburg operators PROPOSE
ton. They told the delegates very plainly
that if the proposition was rejected the
strike would fail utterly; that the contest
could not be continued as all resources
had been exhausted. they advised that,
irasmuch as the strike had been precipi-
tated in the Pittsburg district, it was very
proper that it should be settled.
President Carson, of Illinois, told the del
egates just as plainly why he could not
support the proposition for a settlement.
He said the Illinois miners were practically
ignored by it. The operators of his State
had notified him that they would not abide
by another settlement made with the Pitts
burg operators. In many of the Illinois
districts, moreover, the miners had signed
ironclad contracts which run until next
May. Should the Pittsburg, Ohio and In
diana miners resume operation, the Illinois
operators would be compelled to open their
mines also and the only resource the min
ers of the State would have would be a To-
cal strike for which they were unprepared.
The best they could do would be to accept
the operators terms and that would even
tually force a reduction again in the other
States.
The most important action of the cor
vention to-day was in determining the ba-
sis of representation. Some of the dele
gates wanted rule that no delegate should
cast more than six votes. This, if adopted,
it is claimed, would have settled the ques-
ton of the acceptance of the strike settle
ment very quickly. 1t was the sentiment
of the convention, however, that represent
alton should be fixed so that all miners
should have a voice in the settlement. Ac-
cordingly, it was decided that one vote
should be cast for every one hundred min
ers represented This makes the votes. to
be cast by each State about as follows
Western Pennsylvania, $780, Ohio, 2S0; West
Virginia, 11O; Indiana, go; Illinois, 200. The
Illinois vote, which will be cast against the
acceptance of the operators proposition,
will about offset the vote Of western Penn
sylvana (Pittsburg district) The vote Of
Ohio is about equally divided on the propo-
sition; also the West Virginia This prac-
tically leaves the balance of power in the
hands of the Indiana delegates 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 de-
feated. The Indiana delegates say they are
instructed not to vote in favor of the op-
orators proposition unless q general settle
ment will be effected by it. In view of the
position of the Illinois miners. they do not
see their way clear to vote to accept the
proposition.
1t develops tonight that the vote of the
Pittsburg district will not be unanimous in
favor Of accepting the settlement, as some
of the delegates have stated openly they
would not vote for it. The leaders of the
miners are doing some quiet missionary
work tonight and have hopes that they
will be able to turn the tide in favor of a
settlement. Tomorrow the members of the
national executive board will be heard by
the convention, and as they strongly in
dorse the settlement their views may have
considerable weight with the delegates. The
convention is one of the largest delegate
gatherings the miners have ever had, there
being $50 delegates on the ground and more
expected to arrive during the night and
morning.