The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-09-11
SEEMS GLOOMY.
situation seems 10 Point 20 ReJee-
ton Of Columbus Proposition.

tion of Columbus Proposition.
Columbus, o., Sept. 0.-The Interstate
miners convention adjourned Wedues-
day evening until this morning without
having taken a vote on the question OF
accepting or rejecting the proposed set
Element of the strike. The prospects
for the acceptance Of the settlement are
somewhat doubtful; in fact a canvass Of
the situation shows a majority Of the
votes. unless soma change should be
brought about, will be east against IT,
The greater part Of the afternoon ses-
sion OF the convention was secret, the
delegates listening to speeches from
National President Ratchford and State
Presidents Farms, of Ohio; knight. of
Indiana; Carson, OF Illinois, and Dolan,
OF Pittsburgh. All Of these officials,
with the exception OF Mr.. Carson. ar
gued in favor OF the acceptance OF the
Pittsburgh operators proposition.
They told the delegates very plainly
that il the proposition was rejected the
strike would fail utterly; that the con-
test could not be continued as all re-
sources had been exhausted. They adj
vised that inasmuch as the strike had
been precipitated in the Pittsburgh dis
trict II was very proper that i should be
settled there.
President Carson, OF Illinois, told the
delegates just as plainly why they
could not support the proposition for
"a settlement. lie said the Illinois min-
ers were practically ignored by IT, The
operators Of his state had notified him
that they would not abide By any set
Element made with the Pittsburgh
operators. In many Of the Illinois dis
tricts, moreover. the miners had signed
ironclad contracts which run until
next May. Should the Pittsburgh and
Ohio and Indiana miners resume opera
tions, the Illinois operators would be
compelled 10 open their mines also and
the only recourse the miners of the
state would have would be local strike,
for which they were unprepared. The
best they could do would be TO accept
the operators terms and that would
eventually force a reduction again i'm
the other states.
The most important action OF the con-
yention was in determining the basis OF
representation. Some Of the delegates
wanted n rule that no delegate should
be allowed TO cast more than six votes.
This, IL adopted, IL is claimed. would
have settled the question of the accept
ance of the strike settlement very
quickly. IL was the sentiment OF the
convention, however, that representa-
tion should be fixed so that all miners
should have voice In the settlement.
Accordingly il was decided that one
vote should be cast for every hundred
miners represented. This makes the
votes 10 be east by each state about
as follows: Western Pennsylvania. 230;
Ohio, $50; West Virginia, 10; Indiana,
60; Illinois, 200. The Illinois vote,
which will be cast against the oper-
ator's proposition, will about offset
| the vote OF western Pennsylvania
! pittsburgh district). The vote Of Ohio
| is about equally divided on the propo.
sition, 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. II
rot by direct language, the proposed
settlement will undoubtedly be defeat.
ed. The Indiana delegates say they are
instructed not TO vote I'm favor of III,
operators proposition unless a genera
settlement will be effected by IT, In
view OF the position of the Illinois
miners, they do not see their way clear
TO vote 10 accept the proposition.
II develops that the vote of the Pitts
burgh district will not be unanimous in
favor of accepting the settlement. as
some Of the delegates have stated open
ly they would not vote for il. The lead
ers of the miners are doing some quiet
missionary work and have hopes that
they will he able TO turn the tide Ii
favor OF settlement. To-day the mem
bers OF the national executive boarC
will be heard by the convention. and az
they all strongly indorse the settlement
their views may have considerable,
weight with the delegates. The con
vention is one OF the largest delegates
gatherings the miners have ever had.
SIX DROWNED.