The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-18
MINERS, WAGE SCALE.
Joint Convention of Operators and
Diggers at Chicago.

Diggers at Chicago.
CHICAGO, jan IA joint convention of
bituminous coal operators and miners met
in this city to-day for the purpose of adj
justing a wage scale for 1898. Five hundred
operators and miners, representing west
ern Pennsylvania, western Ohio, Indiana
and Illinois, were present. Work was rather
slow owing to the fact that none of the
delegations was thoroughly organized. Aft
er adopting the rules committee report,
recommending four votes for each State
and scale committee of four miners and
the same number of operators from each
State, the convention adjourned until to-
morrow to permit organization of the dele
cations.
The convention was called to order by
NJ. D. Ratchford, president of the United
Mine Workers, at 1O:3O this morning. Per-
manent organization was effected by the
selection of W. H. Holcomb, of Chicago, as
chairman, and two secretaries, f. H.
Brooks of Ohio, and w. C. Pearce, OF Chi
cago, the former representing the miners
and the latter the operators. 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 on the basis of one miner and
two operators from each State with equal
voting power. The convention then took
recess.
At the afternoon session the committee
on credentials reported 221 operators in at
tendance as follows: Ohio 46; Indiana, Al;
Illinois, So; Pennsylvania AZ. The miners
numbered 27S, as follows: Illinois, Ill; Ohio,
50; Pennsylvania, 40; Indiana, 27; West Vir-
ginia, II. The report was thep adopted and
pending the arrival Of the rules committee
Col. William r. Morrison, of Illinois adj
dressed the meeting briefly recommending
a peaceable settlement of all differences.
The rules committee report was then pre-
sented and brought out the first heated dis
cussIon 1t recommended that each State
be allowed the same number of votes-four
each. and that the scale committees be COM
posed of four miners and four operators
from each State, with the exception of Illi-
nolS, which should have five delegates, but
only four votes. The basis of representa-
ton was not agreeable to the Illinois con-
tingent and a minority report was pre-
sented recommending one vote to each five
million tons, based on the output of 1896.
Operator Traier, of Illinois, in speaking for
the latter report, declared it to be the only
just basis and cited the House of Repre-
sentatiVes as a fair example. Chairman
Zerbe, of the rules committee, defended the
report on the ground that representation
on the tonnage basis was a dangerous pre-
cedent and would result in shutting out
small producers. The majority report was
then adopted, but several unavailng at
tempts were made 10 have the vote recon
Sidered.
The selection of the scale committee was
next taken up, each State to select it's own
delegates. On demand for a roll call by
States, the fact was developed that only
one or two delegations were organized and
proceedings were blocked. An adjournment
was therefore taken until tomorrow for
the purpose of allowing the state delega-
tions to organize. Before adjournment the
West Virginia delegation OF miners was
seated with voice in the convention. but
without vote.
The principal point at issue between the
miners and operators is the sweeping de-
mand Of the miners for the universal adop-
tion of the gross weight" system and the
abandonment of screens The miners wish
pay for screenings as we'll as lump coal
The change would revolutionize the wage
scale and will be vigorously combated by
the operators.