Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-01-18

Chicago, January ia joint con-
vention of bituminous coal operators
and miners met in this city to-day for
the purpose of adjusting a wage scale
for 1898. Five hundred operators and
miners, representing Western Pennsyl-
vania, West Virginia, Ohio. Indiana
and Illinois, were present. Work was
rather slow, owing to the fact that
none Of the delegations were thorough
ly organized. After adopting the rules
committee report recommending four
votes for each State, and a scale COM
mittee of four miners and the same
number of operators from each State,
the convention adjourned until to-
morrow to permit organization of the
delegations.
The convention was called to order
by Nj. ID. Ratchford, president of the
United Mine Workers. Permanent Or
ganization was effected by the selec-
ton Of W. H. Holcomb, of Chicago, as
chairman, and two secretaries, F. II.
Brooks, of Ohio, and w. G. Pearce, of
Chicago A committee on credentials
was selected consisting of one miner
and one operator from each State. The
selection of a committee on rules and
regulations and order of business
aroused considerable discussion, but
was finally made upon the basis of one
miner and two operators from each
State with equal voting powers.
AT the afternoon session the commit
tee on credentials reported 221 opera
tors in attendance as follows:
Ohio, 46; Indiana, Al; Illinois, 80;
Pennsylvania, AZ.
The miners numbered 27S, as fol-
lows: Illinois. III; Ohio, SO; Penn
sylvania, 40; Indiana, 81; West Vir-
ginia, IL.
The rules committee report brought
the first heated discussion. 1t recon-
mended that each State be allowed the
same number of votes, four each; and
that the scale committee be composed
for four miners and four operators
from each State with the exception of
Illinois, which should have five dele
gates, but only four votes This basis
of represe 1,ition was not agreeable
the Illi - contingent, and minor
ity report was presented, recommend
ing one vote to each 100000 tons,
based upon the output of 1896.
Operator Traicor. of Illinois. in
speaking for the latter report, declared
it to be the only just basis and cited
the House of Representative as falr
example. Chairman Zerbe, of the
rules committee, defended the report
on the ground that representation on
the tonnage basis was a dangerous
precedent and would result i'll shut
ting out small producers. The majors
ity report was then adopted, but s3v.
eral unavailing attempts were iaaGe to
have the vote reconsidered.
The selection of INC scale com nit
tee was next taken UP, each otdto ~
select it's own delegates. On domaine
for a roll call by States, the fact was
developed that only one or two dele
gates were organized and proceed
ings were blocked. Al adjournment
was therefore taken until tomorrow
for the purpose of allowing the sac
delegations to organize. Before adj
iournment the West Virginia delega-
ton of miners were seated with
voice in the convention but without
vote.
The principal point at issue in the
sweeping demand of Tie rliners Tor
the universal adoption of The gross
weight system and Inc Abandonment
of screens" Then the miners would
he paid for screenings" as we'll as
hmm coal. The change would revo>
lutionize the wage scale and will be
vigorously combatted by the opera
tors.
The West Virginia operators have
as vet been unrepresented in the con-
vention.