Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-08-24
REND RISES IN WRATH
Conference Between Coal Oper.
ators and Strike Leaders Be.
gins with Animation.
CHICAGOAN JUMPS ON RATCHFORD.

Turns himself Loose with a Lot OF UncOm-
plinentary Adjectives and Then Leaves
the MISUNDERSTANDING Important Done.
But Will Confer Again TOday-Ratchford
Makes Some Comments on Rend-Debs
Calls ON the Social Democracy to Go to st.
LOuis-In Indiana and Illinois.
Pittsburg. Aug. 24.-It was a lively
meeting Of operators and mine workers
here yesterday. During the forenoon
there was split among the producers.
The miners's officials wanted to know If
every operator in the district was repre-
scented; they received a negative reply,
and in turn told the operators that there
were others down stairs, notably John
Blythe and ]. W. Shields, who were not
represented. They adjourned and prom
ised to have the remaining operators
present. At the afternoon session there
were present on behalf OF the miners
National President Ratchford, National
Secretary -Treasurer Pearce, District
President Dolan, First Vice President
Mckay and Secretary Warner. Presi-
dent Ratchford made a statement of the
case. He said on former occasions the
miners went to the operators. when with
crocodile tears the conditions We're de-
plored by the operators Now. he said,
1t was different, the operators had come
to the miners. He expressed himself in
favor of arbitration at living rate of
wages.
Rend Turns Himself Loose.
This brought Colonel w. P. Rend to
his feet. He said that there could be no
arbitration on the lines as laid down by
Ratchford. He referred to the meeting
at st. Louis. When Ratchford intimated
that universal strike and a demand for
eight-hour day and a readjustment Of
the wage question would be the result
Of the st. Louis convention Colonel Rerd
replied by calling Ratchford a villain,
traitor, blackguard and anarchist. With
emphasis he told him that seven an
archists had been hung in Chicago, and
all Were better than he; that if he pre-
cipitated an insurrection in this country
he would be hung and when he was hung
he (Rend) wanted to pull the rope.
Colonel Rend left the conference in a
rage.
Then the Work Began.
Then the conference got down to work
President Ratchford made an apology
for some Of the statements he had made
and Dolan made a statement that his
pOSitlol was dllIlOSt 10 tlaC
Ratchford. The operators then decided
that committee be appointed to meet
with the miners officials and if possible
come to some agreement. A short con-
ference was held with the committee and
it was agreed to meet at p. N. and if
possible arrive at some conclusion. The
conference was held and it lasted for
several hours. Propositions were made
and discussed and an adjournment taken
until 10 o'clock this morning without a
conclusion being reached. The point at
issue is the rate of wages which shall be
paid pending the decision of the board Of
arbitrator.
Ratchford "AIIudes at" Rcnd.
In the course of a statement Ratch-
ford made last night he said: IF am
a traitor to the cause of labor why
should Colonel Rend and disagree?
Rend accused John Mcbride of selling
the strike of 1894; he accused Phil Penna,
whom / succeeded, of being coal oper-
ator and working in league with opera
tors. 1t is the most natural thing that
he should accuse me after disagreement.
/ am not the least bit alarmed about
Rend's accusation. I would have as
soon have him accuse me as to have his
friendship. John Nusent, of Ohio, and
the accused men. In fact everybody who
has ever served in an official capacity
has been accused by Rend whenever he
failed to agree with him.
Debs Calls on His Organization.
Terre Haute, Ind, Aug. 24.-Eugene
V. Debs yesterday issued a call ITO the
Social Democracy, and all lovers Of lib
erty and fair play" to attend the con-
ference at St. Louis next Monday, when,
he says, prompt, united and vigorous
action will be taken in regard to the
miners strike, and especially the course
of the judiciary in issuing restraining
orders. He says: The hour has struck
to call a halt" In conclusion he says:
Every atom Of American manhood re-
volts against the spectacle. Judges by
the usurpation of power and playing the
role of tyrants have annihilated the
constitution, abrogated the right Of trial
by jury, forbidden free speech, sup
pressed peaceable assamblage and trans
formed our republic into absolute des-
potism. They are guilty OF judicial
treason ard should be made to answer
at the bar of an outraged people"