Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-08-31
HUNTING A SOLUTION
Of the Problem Presented by the
Condition Of the Strike of
the Mine Workers.
LABOR LEADERS MEET AT ST. LOUIS

But One Plan Presented, Rafchford's, and
That Not Apparently Approved-Would
Muzzle the Injunction-1aIk at Cleveland
and Pittsburg of an End to the Strike in
Forty-cight Hours-Small Operators Nov
ing-New Plan of Arbitration Proposed
and Sent to Ratchford.
st. Louis. Aug. S1.-The conference of
labor leaders which began yesterday
morning had busy day, and last night
the end was in sight. What the confer
ence has accomplished, if anything, is in
doubt. 1t is not believed the leaders
have attained any definite result, and in
fact the president Of one of the national
organizations said last night that the
failure Of the conference was a foregone
conclusion. Il should feel very much
chagrined." said this gentleman, IF l
had any part in the converting of this
conference" The committee on resolu-
tiors and plan Of action was at work all
AFTERNOON and evening, and last night
sovereign announced that it had form
ulated plan, but declined to give any
details. The platform, it is expected,
Will be submitted to the convention this
morning. The fourteen different orSani-
cations represented in the convention
make an unwieldly body, and it is evil
dent that all of them cannot be satisfied
with platform formulated by five men
representing as many branches of Or
ganiZed labor.
Ratchford's Plan Not Popular.
Ratchford's plan Of petitioning Presi-
dent Mckinley to convene congress in
extra session to enact measures prCvi6-
ing fer the settlement of the present Ia
Dor difficulties or-as he put ito de-
fine the rights of citizens if any did
| not meet with the approval he had hoped
| for, and it is not believed the idea will
I be incorporated in the platform He
| would have congress muzzle the injunc-
ton. While present in the convention ali
| lay Debs did not speak, nor did he put
| in an appearance at last nights mass
| meeting, where he was widely adver-
| tised to make an address. He is repre-
| sented on the resolutions committee,
| however, by Berger, and as he has re-
| manned pretty close to the gentlemen
| composing that committee it is safe to
say his Social Democracy idea will be
| represented. 1t is thought adjournment
will be reached some time today. Eighty
eight delegates are attending the conven-
ton, which William B. Prescott, Of the
International Typographical union. is
| chairman, and A. NJ. Pearces secretary
Discussions i'm the Conference.
| In making his speech in favor of ask
| ing an extra session of congress to put a
curb on judges in the issuance of in
functions Ratchferd was imprisoned.
! In case of refusal" said Ratchford
impressively, after an outburst of cheer
| ing had subsidized. lit will then be time
| to consider more extreme measures I
am in favor if the president refuses to
call congress together Of a complete
paralysis of business. 1 believe then in
| q sympathetic strike"
Pat O'Neill, of Rich Hill, Mo-, who
said he represented 1,500 unorganized
picks" favored a labor revolution. He
was socialist, he said, and believed in
the miners taking things in their own
hands if necessary. His fiery harangue
pleased the audience greatly.