The record-union., 1897-07-29

1
stacle in the way of progress. Without
their aid the required 80 per cent. can
not be accomplished.
| Thomas Young says there seems to
be a mistaken impression as to the
| purpose of the meeting. 1t is not to
settle the strike or the price of mining
| 1t is simply to discuss the proposed
plan of uniformity. Even if the agree
ment is adopted it will not settle the
strike. 1t can only lead up to a set
| tlement. The price of mining would
then have to be settled by arbitration.
| Notwithstanding these obstacles, the
| peace commissioners and advocates of
uniformity express confidence that the
session will be successful.
When Chairman Dempster called the
meeting to order there was almost as
many operators present as yesterday.
Among those conspicuous for their alb
sence was Colonel Rend, who yesterday
bolted the conference. 1t was hoped
that he would reconsider his action and
attend the conference, but he did not
put in an appearance.
Chairman DempSter announced that
the preamble had already been adopted
j. B. Zerbe said the matters under
consideration We're of the utmost i'm
portance, and it would take months to
settle them.
d. B. Blackburn of the river opera
tors had not YET taken any action on
the uniformity question.
Mr.. Wilson moved that the conven-
ton go into a committee of the whole
to consider the agreement.
j. B. Zerbe was called to the chair
and Mr.. Dempster moved that the
agreement be taken up seriatim.
Mr.. Zerbe read the preamble and a
motion was made to adopt it.
Mr.. Dempster moved an amendment
to the preamble by adding the follow
ing: Whereas, the present condition of
affairs gives promise of effecting a set
tlement of long-existing differences and
disputes between the coal operators in
the Pittsburg district to a degree not
heretofore attainable, and not likely
soon again to be within reach" The
preamble as amended was adopted. In
defining the Pittsburg district w p
De Armitt moved that it embrace all
mines in what is commonly known as
the Pittsburg coal seam on the rail-
roads within a radius of fifty-five miles
of the upper limits Of the sixth pool,
and all mines on the Youghiogheny
River, a schedule of which is at
tached and made part of the agree
ment. This was agreed to-
The articles of agreement were taken
up and the first five adopted, with
few slight changes. They provide for
cash pay, 1000 pounds to a ton, check
weighman, adjustment of company
stores, credit to miners for full 0uan-
tity of coal in cars and semi-monthIy
pay without deduction for merchan-
disc, etc.
After a short recess the conference
again took up the committee report
and adopted it as read.
ANGRY POLISH WOMEN.
FAIRMONT CIV. Va.), July 2S-Pol-
ish women, armed with stones and
sticks, kept several men from going to
work at Monongah to-day Others
have been warned not to enter Col
onel B. A. Fickinger said to-day if the
men at his mines were not at work by
Friday new men would be brought in.
LABOR LEADERS DISAPPOINTED.
WHEELING CIV. Va), July 2S-
Among the local labor leaders there is
general disappointment that the con-
ference held here does not take more
radical measures than to merely offer
sentimental sympathy. 1t is believed
that this week there will be such an
army of organizers and agftators in
West Virginia that the miners who
nave thus far refused to stop work will
be compelled to.do so from sheer force
of numbers aginst them.
1t is also believed that the conference
made secret provisions for conducting
the fight on lines much more emphatic
than are apparent in the manifesto
given to the papers. 1t is believed that
a surprise Will be sprung within a few
days at the furthest.
MORE MINES CLOSE.
COLUMBUS (O), July 2S.-Fred Dill
cher of the National Executive Com
mittee wired the headquarters of the
Miners Union that the Sugar Creek.
Mcdonald, Turkey Knob and Dunlop
mines have closed by vote of the
miners at a mass meeting in the New
River District.
INSIDE DEVELOPMENTS
PlTTSBURG Pa), July 2S.-The
Pittsburg Leader to-day prints what
is claimed to be the inside develop
ments of the labor leaders conference
at Wheeling yesterday
The strike itself will be won or lost
within the next ten days or two weeks
The plan of campaign mapped out has
fixed that point to a certainty
L. III. Morrissey of the Railroad Fire
mems Union opposed the suggestion of
Ratchford to place the West Virginia
campaign in the hands of Debs. He
said that while he had a deep regard
for Debs, the corporations and courts
are prejudiced against him, and he be-
lieved his pathway would be a hard
one.
A BIG MEETING.
PITTSBURG, July 2S.-D. 3. Black
burn river operator, says the coal
exchange cannot take action on the
uniformity plan as it is not COMPOSED
entirely of coal operators The river
operators, he says, favor uniformity
and will sign the contract
The striking miners are preparing for
the big meeting at De Armitt's mines
tomorrow. 1t will be held in McCrea
school house, about equally distant
from the three mines. With the assist
ance of Debs, Gompers, Ratchford and
others, the officials hope to induce the
men to join the miners in the strike
movement.
SEDALIA (Mo.), July 2S.-The coal
miners conference postponed from yes
terday until to-day proves to be
flash in the pan. The Kansas and Illi-
nois delegations, expected last night.
failed to come, as did also the dele
gates from Rich Hill, Lexington and
Hip0inSNille Mo and this fnrnnnn,n th,