The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-20
TWO SCALES SUBMITTED
REDUCTION OF 10 CENTS A TON
ASKED BY MINE OPERATORS.
Advances of 1-2 to 10 Cents and 9th
er Concessions Demanded by Coal
Diggers' Representatives.

PITTSBURG, JAN 19.-At the afternoon
session of the interstate convention Of coal
operators and miners the scale committee
submitted the propositions made by both
sides. The operators position is as follows:
In the discussion of the scale the opera
tors favor double standard scale, uniform
screens. That the scale committee be in
structed to stand for the ten-hour day. That
the scale price the operators shall present
to the convention shall be Sc cents per ton,
1A-inch screen, or a 10-cent reduction. That
the scale committee be instructed to insist
on a reduction in day wages corresponding
to the reduction in the mining rate That
we agree we will not permit any decrease
in the differential between pick and ma
chine mining. If any portion of the COM
petitive field Including Illinois, Indiana,
Ohio and Pennsylvania secure by strike or
otherwise lower prices than those named in
the agreement all parties to the contract
shall be accorded like reduction in prices of
mining.
Following are the demands of the miners:
'All coal mined in the competitive districts
shall be paid for on a pick run of mine
basis, except block coal of Indiana
I'VE ask 71a cents per ton advance on a
run of mine basis on present prices in Hook
ing valley. That no pillars be cut by ma
chimes
That the block coal of Indiana to receive
the use of the diamond screen. six feet wide
py twelve long, one and one-eighth inches
between the bars, with 10-cent advance
per ton, and scale on low coal to remain as
at present; Machine runners TO receive S250
4 DAY and helpers 50. rs day Leaders IN
receive half OF the price of the pick min
ing, with cents extra per ton for hand
uillihs, and receive the same advance on
he V.f1I Il IL.
Ihat all other day machine, work except
the above is hereby strictly prohibited
mat we adopt three-iifths of pick price
LOT shootlng and loading after machine for
cutting, one-tifth for puncher and one
eighth for chain machine in Ohio and Penn
sylVania; Illinois and Indiana shall retain
their relative ratio and division of the same
to be made in said districts. That price in
Indiana be increased cents per ton on
districts now working under the scale price
be raised to their relative position That
the dl1erential for air and electric drillers
be cents on pick mining basis of 40 cents
per ton, employing company to furnish nee
essary supplies. That the limit on all cars
be abolished That we demand a uniform
rent for company houses of not more than
81 per room per month. That the shearing
machine men be paid pick prices; no differ
entail We recommend the adjustment of
the truck stores"
Both scales were then before the conven-
ton for discussion. President John Mitchell
opened the discussion for the miners. He
advocated a continuation of the eght-hour
work day, and said he hoped the operators
would not insist on a ten-hOur day He
spoke of the work done in West Virginia
during the year, saying the organization
had been very successful in bOycotting and
preventing the sale of coal from that State.
The statement that there are only $50 MEM
bers of the Miners Union i'm West Virginia,
he said. was incorrect, as this figure repre-
sents only the number who have paid dues
into the treasury of the organization.
Operator Traer, of Illinois, said he spoke
the unanimous sentiment of the operators of
that State. There is no understanding, he
said, as has been reported, between the OPP
orators and miners of Illinois He told of
the lnroads made on trade by the cheaply
mined West Virginia coal. The boycott he
asserted, was not effective He insisted that
reduction was necessary to insure employ
iheht Tor the miners IN the four States
bound by the agreement. Discussion of the
scale was continued until adjournment.
Vention devoted to consideration of
amendments TO the constitution. The only
important change was an amendment pro-
viding for the resignation of saIaried Off
GERS Immediately upon their acceptance of
an appointment or nomination for a politi-
cal Office. IT was decided to donate $500 to
the striking shoemakers of Massachusetts.
Bricklayers Want Eight-Hour Day.
HARTFORD. Conn, Jan. 19-I'his after
moons session of the Bricklayers and
Masors International Union was largely
taken uD with discussion of the eight
hour day. The matter is in the hands of the
committee on constitution and it mas a prop
osition to charge the law of the union reIa-
tive to the standing working day which is
now nine hours 1t is said that about one
fourth of the local unions work under an
eight.hour day and the sentiment for a
working day of that length is now unani-
nous. The discussion to-day was largely
apon the best methods of putting the pro-
oSed new aw into operation throughout the
Jurisdiction of the International Union. The
ielt gates expressed the opinion that the
s,ight-hour day could be enforced with little