The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-01
TWO NEW PROPOSITIONS
WE'RE SUBMITTED TO THE JOINT
SCALE COMMITTEE YESTERDAY.
Miners Virtually Agree to Adopt
Screens with % Cents Advance
operators Offer IL Cents.

The miners made another concession TO
the operators yesterday afternoon. when
their representatives on the scale COM
mittee. after caucusing all afternoon. met
the operators and said they were willing
to accept an increase of % cents a ton
for screened coal in all the four competi-
tive States. This move is regarded as
significant, inasmuch as heretofore the
miners have remained firm for the run
of mine" system. so far as Illinois was
concerned, and their first concession, made
Tuesday night, provided for the of
screens In Ohio and Pennsylvania only.
and the run of mine system in Indiana
and Illinois. II Is taken to mean that the
miners are concentrating all their efforts
TO securing a uniform condition in all the
four States and that they are prepared
to accept screens on condition that they
be no larger than one and a quarter inch
mesh. While. so far as figures go. the price
asked by the miners is larger than that
demanded several Gays ago, IL is in reality
materially less because the first demand
was for 20 cents increase on run OF mine
coal, whereas the one made yesterday was
for % cents for screened coal. The first
contemplated an increase Of about % per
cent over the present scale, while the
last one Is only for 40 per cent. above
the present price.
The operators feel that the last conces-
sion of the miners may be taken to mean
that they will abandon the contention for
a general abortion of the run OF mine ana
will accept screens in all States.
As soon as the miners caucus reporIea a
TO the scale committee that II nad reached
the above conclusion the operators re-
piled that they would better their former
figures by granting an increase OF u cents
a ton for screened coal, this being cents
above their first price. with these con-
cessions from both sides to be dealt with
the old subcommittee was ordered TO be-
gin work on a compromise scale for sub
mission to the general scale committee.
During the afternoon the scale commit
tee adjourned to give the Indiana opera
tors a chance to consult as to the run
of mine proposition. The conclusion
reached was to the effect that Indiana
would stand with Ohio and PENNSYLVANIA
In demanding the continuance of the use
of screens as single standard, meaning
that the use of screens will be general
and perpetual and not as convenience
dictates. This action lined up all the OPP
orators on the screen proposition because
Ii is understood the Illinois delegation or
operators, from whom must come the de-
mand for the mine run system, are In favor
of screens. The resolution TO adopt the
single standard is regarded in itself as
victory for the miners, who have all along
contended that there should be fixed
standard one way or the other regarding
the use Of screens.
1t was found impossible to hold the meet
ing of the subcommittee last night, as ex-
pected because the Indiana miners went
into executive session and continued In
that condition until very late. None of the
committeeman from this State would say
an a they
their session, but il Is understood they
agreed to the single standard proposed by
the operators, but would not agree to ac-
cept the price offered
1t Is expected the committee will reach
an agreement to-day on the basis of about
80 cents a ton for screened coal, which is
cents higher than the miners have been
paid during the last ten years.