The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-06-29
4 SETTLEMENT
Is IN SIGHT
Between the Alabama Coal Miners and
Operators.
THE STATE CONVENTION
Adjourned Until Tomorrow When Final
Action Will Be Taken.
STATE PRESIDENT W. R. FARLEY
OF the United Mine Workers of America Be-
lieges That an AmicabIe Agreement
Will Be hed-Conciliatory
Spirit Is Manifest

The wage question between the Alabama
coal miners and operators still hangs fire,
although it is probable that a settlement
is In sight
The state convention of miners, which
met In this city on Monday June 20, for
the purpose of fixing scale for the com
ing fiscal year, decided to ask an advance
of five cents per ton over the present scale
and also demanded that the sliding scale be
based upon the price of all grades of pig
iron, instead of the price of No. l foundry
iron, as heretofore
Other concessions relating to the details
of mining were demanded and the question
was submitted to the operators. who re-
fused to grant the demands of the men.
The Tennessee Coal. Iron and Railroad
company, the largest operators in the state
proposed to meet the miners half way and
offered advance of two and one-half
cents per ton. but refused to accede the
other demands.
The Sloss Iron and Steel company hold
a contract with the miners which does not
expire until July l, 1899 Notwithstanding
this contract the officials of the Soss COM
pany have expressed willingness to con-
fer with their own men, although they
nave nOI 1nIlIndleQ lnaI Iney would grant
the advance.
The officers of the Bessemer Land and
Improvement company, which operates the
Belle Ellen mines, expressed a Willingness
to grant any reasonable concessions based
upon the action of the Tennessee COM
pany
These reports were made to the conven-
ton and committees were appointed to
submit the proposition to the miners in
mass meetings assembled. Pending the
action of the miners the convention adj
journed until Monday, when it was again
called to order and the reports from the
various mining camps We're received.
The Referendum Vote
The referendum vote resulted in favor of
accepting the compromise by vote of 81
to 90 The result was promptly made known
to the operatives, and another conference
ensued between the Tennessee company ana
a committee appointed by the convention.
At 10 o clock yesterday morning the con-
ference committee reported back to the
committee. After hearing the reports 1t
was decided to again confer with the
masses of the miners. and adjournment was
taken until tomorrow morning, when the
present contract with the Tennessee COM
pany expires on Tuesday night and unless
the new contract is signed up on that date
the Tennessee company miners would prob
ably lay down. their picks and quit work.
President Farley Talks
State President William r. Farley of
the United Mine Workers of America takes
q hopeful view of the situation and believes
that the question will be amicaby settled.
He was seen by an Age-Herald reporter
and said
81 believe that strike will be averted
and that contract will be signed up with
both the Sloss and Tennessee companies:
"The Tennessee company present three
propositions as to iron being basis. They
offer the same contract as the present one
with coal at 40 cents and No. foundry pig
iron at 81. 80, and for every so cents advance
in iron an advance of 21a cents advance
in coal mining. They also offer the same
proposition on any grade of pig iron out
side of No. with the selling price at the
furnaces. They also offer a proposition
with 30 cents fog coal mining with all
grades of iron, but at selling prices at the
furnaces as made by the Tennessee Coal,
Iron and Railroad company.
.',rhe Blue Creek miners are to get only
the same advance over their present price
as the miners get, that is, two and one-haif
cents advance over their twenty-eight cents
per ton. as now. Other matters pertaining
to the Blue Creek miners the Tennessee
Coal. Iron and Railroad company has now
under consideration. The committee of the
Tennessee miners will meet with the com
pany again this afternoon for the Settle
ment of minor details.
More Favorable Position
"The position of the Sloss Iron and Steel
company miners is very materially i'm
proved. From the report of the committee
we have every reason to believe that the
company will grant the same terms and
prices that the Tennessee Coal, Iron and
Railroad company does and believe that
settlement will be made on the same propo-
sitiof as the Tennessee company and
strike will, therefore, be averted.
s.The convention has adjourned until
Thursday morning at o'clock. The Ten
nessee Coal, Iron and Railroad company
miners will hold meeting tomorrow at
Pratt City to discuss and decide matters of
detail. Thursday the convention will meet
to take decisive action. The side issues in
the demands of the miners have been re-
fused"