The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-07-29
WILL IT AFFECT STRIKE
COMPANY STORES TO BE ABOL-
ISHED-MINERS PAID IN CASH.
NOT TO APPLY TO PRESENT CONTRACTS
Upon That Clause it is Feared the Miners
and Operators Win Split and That
Their Work viii Not End
the Strike.

the Strike.
Pittsburg, Pa, July 2S.-The true I'M
iformity" conference of coal operators
of the Pittsburg district concluded its
work tonight at 9:15 o'clock after
two days session of close and persistent
work. The 81 sections of the uniform
ity agreement were thoroughly discuss
ed and adopted section by section. The
best of feeling prevails throughout the
meetings, the only exception being the
boiling of Col. Rend at yesterdays ses-
sion. Just previous to adjournment,
however, Judge Owens announced that
Col. Rend had authorized him to state
that any agreement the conference a
dopted would receive his hearty co-opera-
ton and he would sign if 50, so or even
20 per cent of the operators were sim
cere in their sanction of it. The confer
ence appointed committee of fve-W.
p. DeArmitt, j b. Zerbe, ]. ]. Stoyler.
+. B. Dyort and n Il. Sanford, with
Gen. John Little to secure the signature
of the operators to the agreement. This
committee will begin its work tomorrow.
It will be aided by the Ohio board of
arbitration. When the requisite num-
Der of signatures have been secured, an
other meeting will be held to ratify the
agreement.
Speeches were made by De Armitt
Demspter, Little Zerbe and others. all
expressing satisfaction over the result
Of the meeting and predicting the sue
cess of the plan.
The agreements as adopted provides for
cash payment OF wages; 1000 pounds
to the ton, check weighmen on the tip
pies, miners to be credited with the full
quantity of coal contained in the mine
ear. abolition of company stores, semi
monthly pay days, uniform price for
pick mining in the thin and thick vein
districts, and screens not exceeding ~
inches. 1t also provides that in case of
the violation of the provisions and terms
of the agreement, a penalty of ten cents
per ton on the total output of coal mined
by the violator will be charged. which
penalty is to be paid to commission
subject to the right of further arbitra-
ton or appeal Said penalty, when col
lected, is to be distributed among the
signers of the agreement pro rata in
proportion to the total amount of ton
mage or output made by them during the
year.
The commission is to be chosen an
lually and shall be known by the name
of the uniformity commission. 1t shall
be composed Of nine members. the thick
and thin vein operators having proper
representation. The members shall be
sworn to faithfully and impartially per-
form the duties of their office and viii
be authorized and empowered to enforce
the judgments and awards.
1t shall also be empowered to sub
poenae witnesses with the same force
and effect as a board Of arbitratOrs duly
appointed under the Act of Assembly OF
the State of Pennsylvania relating to
compulsory arbitration.
The agreement shall not become eff.
fective unless it has been signed by 90
per cent of the operators on or before
Jan. /. 1898.
After 90 per cent have signed the a
greement if any Is operators shall be
of the opinion that enough have signed
to render it effective. a meeting shall be
called in Pittsburg to declare it in force
The operators with few exceptions
want it distinctly understood that the
passage Of an agreement whereby al
operators are to adopt similar system
and are to pay the same relative price fol
mining, has nothing to do with the great
strike. They wish the miners to dis
abuse their minds Of any such theories
The operators have also shut out The
miners leaders from taking any part II
the conferences that may take place
through questions arising between the
operators and miners by inserting a
clause in the agreement stating the com
mission shall be composed of workmer
employed by the subscribers. Heretofore
the miners officials have represented the
miners. but now the miners are to crap
pie with the questions in dispute alone
Tt was decided that present contracts
could not be made the basis for arbitra-
ton.
Many firms have taken contracts for n
stipulated period at fixed price. 1t is
understood that these shall have the right
to supply the product to fill these con-
tracts at the rate Of mining ON which
the contracts are based. Here is where
the miners and operators will separate.
The attendance at the session to-day
was not as large as the day previous
Operators from So rail mines and five
river mines agreed to take part in the
convention, which is larger percentage
than it was hoped to get together.
The operators worked smoothly and
few objections were raised to the agree
ment as written. There was close vote
on the question where the commission
to be appointed should be privileged t.