The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-09-09
MAY BE A FAILURE.
Mine Workers viii Not Take Their
Leaders Advice az to Settlement.


Columbus o., Sept. s.-The interstate
miners convention adjourned this after
noon until tomorrow without taking a
vote on the question OF accepting or re-
iecting the proposed settlement of the
strike.
The prospects for acceptance are some
what doubtful: in fact, a canvass of the
situation shows a majority of the votes.
unless some change should be brought
about, will be cast against it. The
greater part of the afternoon session of
the convention was secret, the delegates
listening to speeches from National Presi-
dent Ratchford and State Presidents
Farms of Ohio, Knight of Indiana, Car
son of Illinois and Dolan of Pittsburg.
All of these officials, with the
exception of Mr. Carson, argued in
favor of the acceptance of the Pittsburg
operators proposition. They told the del
egates very plainly that If the proposition
was rejected the strike would fail utterly;
that the contest could not be continued as
all resources had been exhausted. They
advised that inasmuch as the strike had
been precipitated in the Pittsburg district
1t was very proper that it should be set
ted there.
President Carson of Illinois told the del
egates just as plainly why he could not
support the proposition for a settlement.
He said the Illinois miners were practical
ly ignored by it. The operators of his
state had notified him that they would
not abide by any settlement made with the
Pittsburg operators. Should the Pittsburg
and Ohio and Indiana miners resume oper-
tions, the Illinois operators would be COM
PEELED to open their mines also, and the
only recourse the miners of the state
would have would be a local strike for
which they were un-prepared. The best
they could do would be to accept the op-
orators terms and that would eventually
force a reduction again in the other states.
The most important action of the con-
vention to-day was in determing the ba-
sis of representation Some of the dele
gates wanted rule that no delegate
should be allowed to cast more than six
votes. This, if adopted, it is claimed
would have settled the question of the ac-
ceptance of the strike settlement very
quickly.
1t was the sentiment of the convention,
however, that representation should be
fixed so that all miners should have
voice in the settlement Accordingly, it
was decided that one vote should be cast
for every 100 miners represented.
This makes the votes to be cast by each
state about as follows:
WeSleTH GeHHSylNduld, 0oO5 OHlO, GoOs
Western Virginia, 110; Indiana, 50; Illinois,
200.
The Illinois vote which will be cast
against the acceptance of the operators
proposition viii about offset the vote of
Western Pennsylvania Pittsburg district.
The vote of Ohio is about equally divided
on the proposition; also the West Virginia
vote. This practically leaves the balance
of power in the hands of the Indiana dele
gates. Should they vote with Illinois,
which some of the delegates say they have
instructions to do, by inference, if not by
direct language the proposed settlement
will undoubtedly be defeated.
1t develops tonight that the vote of the
Pittsburg district will not be unanimous
in favor of accepting the settlement, as
some of the delegates have stated openly
they would not vote for it. The leaders of
the miners are doing some quiet mission
airy work tonight and have hopes that
they will be able to turn the tide in favor
of a settlement.
Tomorrow the members of the national
executive board will be heard by the con-
vention, and, as they all strongly indorse
the settlement, their views may have con-
siderable weight with the delegates.