The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-25
And the Operators Refused to Enter
tain a Proposition for General
Arbitration Conference.
RATCHFORD AGAIN SCORED
BY THE NINE OWNERS IN THEIR
STATEMENT TO THE PUBLIC.
What the Leader of the Strikers Says
Situation i'm the Fields-Snndy
Creek Camp Broken Up.

Creek Camp Broken Up.
PITTSBURG, Aug. H-The final effort
to arrange a plan for ending the big coal
strike has proved a failure, and the strike
goes on. At noon the conference between
a committee Of coal operators and miners
national district officials closed, and the
conference adjourned without date. The
miners representatives did not recede from
their original proposition to settle the
strike by arbitration and start the mines
at the siXty-nine-Cent rate. The operators
offered to divide the difference between the
fifty-four and siXty-nine-cent rates, max
ing the price at which the mines should
start 6112 cents per ton, but this was re-
jected. Then additional propositions were
made. One was to start the mines without
fixing any price for thirty days, and then
to pay the rate agreed upon by the board
of arbitration. This was also refused by
the miners, and they said they had been
fooled too often to trust the operators
again. They declined to work for a month,
giving the operators the output that length
of time without knowing what wages would
be paid. A proposition was then made to
operate the mines for ten days without fix
ing the price and allow board of arbitra-
tion to fix the price for that time. Presi-
dent Ratchford insisted that nothing but
the siXty-nine-cent rate could be possibly
accepted. The operators We're firm, but
the miners were equally determined, and
every argument of the mine owners was
met by the miners. Neither side would con-
cede another point, and it was decided to
end the conference.
President Ratchford had but little to say
on the matter, but gave out the following
statement: 1--WE have disagreed Our prop
osition remained unchanged Besides our
proposition to arbitrate we made them
second one along the lines of bringing
about a general conference of miners and
operators of all mining States. They re-
fused to lend their efforts in that direction,
and the strike will be continued. We have
no other plans for the future
MEETING OF OPERATORS.
Immediately after the close of the morn
ing conference j. B. Zerbe called meeting
Of operators for 2 o'clock this afternoon
to disucss the situation and outline a plan
for future action. The operators were in
secret session for several hours, and when
the doors were opened their press agent an
nounced that the mines would certainly
be started with the old diggers if possible;
with imported men if the old men refused
to work committee was appointed, COM
posed Of representatives of every firm in
the district, to map out the mode OF pro-
cedure for the resumption. Ihls commit
tee will meet tomorrow for TINS purpose.
The statement concerning the joint con-
ference issued by the operators press COM
mittee tonight follows:
The conference committees of the coal
operators and the officials of the miners
tO adjourned Y.
miners were represented by their national
and district officers. Operator j. Is. Zerbe
was chosen chairman of the conference ana
w. c. Pearce, of the miners, secretary.
Mr. Zerbe stated that 1t was desired TO
bring about a settlement of the strike. Mr..
Ratchford stated that he ana MS associates
were empowered to entertain, discuss ana
decide on any propositions the operators
niehr submit Chairman Zerbe asked that
the question of interstate agreement be
waived, and this was assented TO. MI.
Ratchford then stated the terms upon
which the miners would return to work,
saying that they would go to work at once
on the 69-cent rate being paid until such
time as a board of arbitrato"s could make
an award of what would be falr wage
rate any excess paid to the miners above
the award of the arbitrators to be deduct
ed from the pay OF the Miners iolioWlng
the award. The operators stated their rea-
sons why this could not be accepted, and
in lieu thereof submitted four propositions
for arbtration-one that the men should
return to work, leaving to arbitfators what
rate shall be paid: one, leaving the ques-
ton of rate open until after an award has
been made; one that the arbitratorS decide
within ten or twenty days, the miners re-
naming idle, and one that the arbltrators
have thirty days in which to decide, the
miners remaining idle. All these were per-
emptorily rejected by the miners repre-
sentatives, and the conference adjourned.
RATCHFORD'S PRICE TOO HIGH.
THE operators feel that in submitting
these various propositions for a settlement
by conciliation or arbitration they have ex-
hausted every effort in trying to bring
about a settlement with the officials of the
miners. The proposition of Mr. Ratchford
could not be accepted, because it means an
advance Of 2112 per cent in wage cost and
would entail irreparable losses on the pro-
ducers The price at which coal contracts
have been taken for this year We're en-
forced by the conditions which ruled the
markets in open competition from other
producing fields. 1t should be remembered
that operators are confronted constantly
with two forces-the pressure of buyers TO
get the lowest price. which is determined
by a remorseless competition and by the
miners, who demand the highest wage rates
at all times. In addition these two fac
/ tors is the cost OF transportation 10 the
markets
"Amicable and conciliatory methods hav-
ing failed TO convince or to move the lead
ers the responsibility for whatever priva-
tion follows TO the minors and their fam
lilies must rest upon the miners officials.
| The operators feel that they have exhaust
ed all honorable means or settlement of
strike which has entailed much misery
upon the miners and those depending upon
them, and which they, in common with the
public, deplOre, and would gladly change
on basis that would not be disastrous 10
themselves. The miners officials having
rejected the proposition made for an agree
ment. the operators can only ask the
miners to consider the existing conditions
and ask themselves whether they are 1usti-
fed in continuing line Of action which is
dictatorial. and are willing to work at n
price which impartial arbitrators NAV de-
ditions, board actuated by the impulses
OF equity and justice and having the sym
pathy Of humanity in the scale in favor of
the miners.
Mr. Ratchford. president of the United
Mine Workers, has been here and has gone
treat with the operators on terms that indl~