The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-24
COL. w. P. REND IN Il RAGE
RATCHFORD CALLED VILLAIN,
BLACKGUARD AND ANARCHIST.
Statements from Both Sides of the
COntrOversy-Train Seized by
Bodies of Ohio Miners.

PITTSBURG, Aug. 23.-Miners to resume
work at the 54-cent rate pending a decision
of board Of arbitration; miners to resume
work at an intermediate rate between the
rate demanded and the one paid prior to
suspension pending decision of a board
of arbitration; miners to resume operations
without a price named pending q decision
of a board of arbitration. These three
propositions were submitted by the special
committee Of railroad coal operators of the
Pittsburg district at a conference held to-
night.
Miners to resume work at the 69-cent rate
pending the decision of a board of arbi-
tration. This is the proposition submitted
by the officers of the miners to the special
committee. The propositions were talked
over in an informal manner by both sides,
when an adjournment was taken until 10
o'clock tomorrow morning.
AS near as can be learned, the miners
officials will stand firm on the proposition
they have made. In support of this claim
they say that it is equally as fair for the
miners to resume at the 69-ceut rate pend
ing arbitration as IL is for them to go to
work at the 54-cent rate under the same
conditions. After the conference tonight
several members of the committee of oper-
dIOTS SdlQ LndI 81 conference OIL operators,
in which are to be included the operators
Of other States, had been entirely elirni-
mated from the controversy, and that only
the Pittsburg district was being considered.
National President Ratchford and District
President Dolan stoutly maintained that
the question was still an. interstate one and
the general strike was being deliberated
upon. From the best information at hand
the contending parties are still far apart.
The operators hope that one of their propo-
sitions will be accepted, While the miners
officials say that they will not recede in
the least from the position they have taken.
President Dolan. however, after the
ference. said that all were going to take
a good sleep and he was satisfied that they
would come to some definite understanding
within ten minutes after meeting in the
morning
SPLIT AMONG OPERATORS.
1t was lively meeting of operators. Dur
ing the forenoon there was a split among
the producers. The miners officials wanted
to know If every operator in the district
was represented; they had received a neg
ative reply, and in turn told the operators
that there were others down stairs, notably
John Blythe and j. W. Shields, who were
not represented. They adjourned and prom
ised to have the remaining operators pres
ent At the afternoon session there were
present on behalf of the miners National
President NJ. D. Ratchford, National Sec
retary-treasurer w. G. Pearce, District
President Patrick Dolan, First Vice Presi-
dent Edward Mckay and Secretary William
Warner. President Ratchford made state
ment of the case. He said on former occa-
sions the miners went to the operators
when with crocodile tears the conditions
were deplored by the operators. Now, he
said, it was different, the optrators had
come to the miners. He expressed himself
in favor Of arbitration at living rate of
wages.
This brought Colonel w. P. Rend to his
feet He said that there could be no arbi-
tration on the lines as laid down by Ratch-
ford. He referred to the meeting at st.
Louis, when Ratchford intimated that
universal strike and a demand for an eight
hour day and a readjustment of the wage
question would be the result of the st. Louis
convention. Colonel Rend replied by calling
Ratchford villain, traitor blackguard and
an Anarchist. With emphasis he told him
that seven Anarchists had been hung in
Chicago, and all were better than he: that
country he would be hung and when he
was hung he (Rend) wanted to pull the
rope. Colonel Rend left the conference in a
rage.
IN the meantime the conference got
down to work. President Ratchford made
an apology for some of the statements he
made, and District President Dolan made
a statement. + 2 stated his position, which
was almost sin liar to that of Ratchford
The operators then decided that a commit
tee be appointed to meet with the miners
officials and if possible come to some agree
ment. a short conference was held with
the committee and it was mutually agr eed
to meet at p m. and If possible arrive at
some conclusion. The conference was held
and it lasted for several hours. The prop
osiions as stated were made and disc Used
and an adjournment taken until 10 o'clock
tomorrow morning without a conclusion
being reached
The press committee of the operators
gave out the following for publication: at
the meeting of joint convention of ope~-
ators and miners officials various Dropo-
were discussed. The point at issue is the
rate of wages which shall be paid pending
No agreement being arrived at and the con-
ferrees desiring TO consider the PROPOSE
tions submitted, the conference adjourned
until 10 o'clock tomorrow mrnlng.
RATCHFORD'S STATEMENTS.
Nj. d. Ratchford sent the following to-
night for publication: 1--WE have no press
committee whose duty it is to make mis-
representations for the other side, or mold
public opinion favorable to the operators
Our purpose is plain. We go before the
whole country with ii. The management of
our strike thus far has been equally plain
and as conservative as it is possible for
a strike of such proportions to be con-
Quoted. The peaceable behavior Of our min
ers everywhere demonstrates strong de-
sire on their part to heed our advice and
to preserve the peace under the most try
ing conditions. 1t Is not necessary for me
to state that an honest public opinion is
with u.s. all efforts to divert ii in another
direction 10 the contrary Notwithstanding
our claim is just. which no man who has
she cause of humanity at heart can deny