Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-01-20

vention of coal operators and miners
was brief. When the convention as
sembled Chairman Dempster announe-
ed that the joint scale committee was
not ready Il report and the convention
adjourned until w o'clock.
Despite the great difference between
the demands of the operators and min
ers it is believed by both parties hat
an agreement will be reached. The
miners desire it for the reason that
they are under great expense in at
tending the convention. The operators
will do all in their power to bring it
about at the earliest possible date for
various reasons, the principal n of
which is hat numerous large and valu-
able lake contracts are awaiting bids,
which cannot be made until the opera
tors know what the mining price shall
be for the next scale year.
At the afternoon session the scale
committee submitted the propositions
made by both sides.
The operators position is as follows:
In the discussion of the scale, the
operators favor a double standard scale.
uniform screen. That the scale COM
mittee be instructed to stand for the
ten-hour day. That the scale price the
operators shall present to the conven-
ton shall be 90 cents per ton, 1A-inch
screen-or a ten-cent reduction. That
the scale committee be instructed to in
sist on a reduction in day wages, cor
responding to the reduction in the min
ing rate. That we agree we will not
permit any decrease in the differential
as between pick and machine mining.
If any portion of the competitive field
Including Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and
Pennsylvania secure by strike or 9TH
erwise lower prices than those named
in the agreement, all parties to the
contract shall be accorded like redue-
ton 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 In
diana.
We ask ~ cents per ton advance
on a run of mine basis on present prices
in Hooking Valley. That no pillars be
cut by machines.
That the block coal OF Indiana to
receive the use of the Diamond screen
six feet wide by twelve long, one and
one-eighth inches between the bars,
with a ten cents advance per ton, and
scale on low coal to remain as at pres
ent. Machine runner to receive $3.50
a day and helpers 1925 a day. Leaders
to receive half of the pick mining with
three cents extra per tor for hand drill
ing, and receive the same advance on
the low coal that the pick miners re-
ceive. That all other day machine
work except the above Is hereby strict
ly prohibited.
That we adopt three-ffths OF pick
price for shooting and loading after
machine, for cutting one-ffth for
puncher, and one-eighth for chain ma
chine in Ohio and Pennsylvania; Illi-
nois and Indiana shall retain their re-
lative ratio and division Of the sam
to be made in said districts. That
price in Indiana be increased three
cents per ton on mine run over adopt
ed scale; that all districts now work
ing under the scale price be raised to
their relative position. That the diff
ferential for air and electrical drillers
be six cents on a pick mining basis OF
40 cents per ton, employing company
to furnish necessary 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 shear
ing machine men be paid pick prices;
no differential. We recommend the
adjustment Of the truck stores. Both
scales were then before the convention
for discussion.
President John Mitchell opened and
discussed for the miners. He advo-
Gated a continuation of the eight hour
work day, and said he hoped the opera
tors 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 success
full in %boycotting and preventing the
sale Of coal from that State. The
statement that there are only 365 mem
bers Of the miners union in West Vir-
ginia, he said, was incorrect, as this
figure represents 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 operators and
miners of Illinois. He told Of the in
roads made on trade by the cheaply
mined West Virginia coal. The boy
colt. he asserted. was not effective.
He insisted that a reduction was nee
essary to insure employment for the
miners in the four States bound by the
agreement.
Discussion of the scale was continued