The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-21
SCALE NOT YET READY
MINERS AND OPERATORS FIND
TROUBLE IN HARMONIZING.
DifYerentiaI Question the Stumbling
Block-Illinois Trying to Get Adj
vantage of Indiana.

CHICAGO, Jan. 2O-No progress was
made in to-days session of the interstate
bituminous operators and miners confer
ence. No report was received from the
scale committee, but at the afternoon ses-
sion President Ratchford. of the mine work
ers, and Walter s. Boyle, of the Indiana
operators delegation, appeared to ask for
more time They explained that a vast
amount of labor had already been done by
the committee and assured the delegates
that it was for the best interests of both
employers and employees to proceed with the
utmost elaboration, and expressed a belief
that every obstacle now before the coal
trade would be removed. Ohio and Pennsyl-
vania operators did not reach an agreement
on the 9-cent differential, which is the STUN
bling block. 1t was stated that The Penn
sylvania operators insisted on an entire
removal of the differential, except as it is
applied to the Hooking valley, which they
concede is entitled to the lowest rate. II. l..
Chapman, of Ohio, it is alleged, opposed
the wiping out proposition and finally
dropped out of the struggle. 1t is the gen.
eral opinion that a report will be presented
to the convention tomorrow.
Discussion of the state differentialS is
waxing very warm in the committee meet
operators conferred, but it is said only got
further into the mire. The Ohioians are said
to have expressed a willingness to compro-
mise on the basis of a Accent differential
in place of the existing cents difference.
But even this, it is said, was unsatisfactory
to II. L. Chapman, of Ohio In fact, it is
stated that the former candidate for Gov
ernor became so pronounced in his disap-
proval of the compromise that it was agreed
to practically ignore him in reaching set
Element. Mr.. Chapman, when asked wheth-
er the report was true, said IF the con-
ference has decided to disregard me or
throw me out. am unaware of the fact;
but we have not yet reached an agreement
on the differential"
Indiana and Illinois operators have also
been in conference over the differental
question. When the Indiana mines resumed
after the late strike they obtained slightly
better rate than the Illinois people, where
as previously there had been a margin of
cents in favor of Illinois. This matter the
operators in Illinois want adjusted, and 1t
can be done, they say, by both States inau-
gurating the mine run or gross weight Sys-
TEN. An agreement between Illinois and
Indiana, 1t is thought, is much more likely
than one between Ohio and Pennsylvania.
President RatchfOrd said to the convention
this afternoon: Acting on the request of
come to the conference, not to apologize
for the failure of the scale committee to
reach conclusions. They working hard,
and we ask for your consideration and pa
thence until the committee reaches some
cOncluSionsy which we will at once submit
to you. The condition of the coal trade
has reached such plane to-day that 1t re-
quires much labor and thought to put 1t on
a basis of equity. There are conditions eX-
listing which have to be blended together in
the convention. No proposition will be sub
mitted unless 1t is acquieSced in by the
miners and operators of each district Our
purpose is to continue in session until we
have blended all interests and until we have
reached a point where we can defend all
actions of the committee. DiHerentials,
conditions of mining, hours of labor, general
prices, must be dealt with, and l ask you
to be patient. In that way you are, perhaps,
making greater progress by moving slowly.
1t is our endeayor to place trade In a posi-
ton where both miners and operators will
make more money.
Chairman Boyle, of the Indiana miners,
reiterated President Ratchfords sentiments,
adding: 1.-The utmost harmony and good
feeling prevails OF course, there are ar
guInents, but / firmly believe that we will
be able to present you with satisfactory
scale"
The convention then adjourned until to-
morrow with better feeling on the part of
a large number of delegates, who had be-
come impatient at the delay in receiving
scale committee report.
The Illinois miners won a great victory
tonight, when the operators OF this State
voted unanimously in favor of the gross
weight scale. About 80 per cent. of the
miners have been demanding this and it will
no doubt be adopted. No further progress
was made by any other State.