Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-01-27

Statement Regarding Conditions
in West Virginia.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, January &c.
The feeling between the miners and the
operators is not cordial. The breach
seems to widen every hour. The ac-
ton of the miners convention in decid-
ing to break up the continuous joint
session" plan and have a sine die ad-
journment of the convention was ex-
tremely radical. Gag rule" and the
exclusion of the Iowa operators who
have departed in disgust are given as
the reasons for forcing a sine die ad-
journment. The executive session of
the miners this morning was another
indication that they are determined to
keep secret their wage scale demands
and compel the operators to show their
hand and strength.
Yesterday the operators of Ohio,
Illinois, Indiana and Pennsylvania are
lOPoltCQ a. AoFih6 NOtCo oo d uA4L W
prevent an agreement that will bind
the operators of the four States COM
pact to adopt the run of the mine sys-
tenn so strenuously demanded by the
miners end of the scale committee.
AS it takes an unanimous vote to
bind a scale agreement trouble is ex-
pected and a long debate when the scale
committee reports to the joint confer
ence.
Some operators are predicting a dead
lock.
Several Ohio operators are willing
to give 10 cents, but the majority are
against this. Illinois operators are
determined not to grant the miners
demands.
Predictions of a general strike on
the part of the United Mine Workers
are freely made. If a general sus-
pnsion is ordered it will have to come
from the national board, which will
hold a session after the adjournment
of the joint conference.
The following was issued to-day:
"In the joint conference, F. L. Rob-
bins, a Pittsburg operator, made a
statement regarding the position of
West Virginia. He said that the
United Mine Workers of the State had
not kept their promises. There is but
one mine in the Kanawha Valley pay
ing 2 cents per bushel for mining. The
other mines are paying PA and 2K
cents a bushel for mining, where
screens are used. Where the run of
mine system. prevails the prices are
from 25 to 45 cents per ton. In the
fourth pool of the Pittsburg district
operators are paying but 2 cents per
bushel for screen mined coal. This
low priced mining in the Pittsburg
district has cut the West Virginia
miner down. Every time the United
Mine Workers make an effort to get
an advance the operators refer us to
the low priced mining of the Pittsburg
field.
"In West Virginia the average price
paid day laborers is $2.10 for machine
runners; $1.65 is the average for help
ers; loading per ton is 50 cents where
screens are used. We expect an adj
vance on April LIST. The United Mine
Workers representation in West Vir-
ginia is larger than appears. l learned
to-day hat the miners at Tyrconnell,
Fairmont district. have gone on a
strike. They wanted an advance in
wages and other concessions. | regret
their hasty action. We expect to send
S. c. Hairless. President of District
No. IT. there as soon as he can get
away from the Indianapolis conference.
We did have 24.000 miners in West
Virginia, but many of them have gone
to other States. We have $4,000 left.
We have 1000 United Mine Workers.
While the operators have refused to
attend the interstate conference, those
in the New River sub-district have
met with us and in the future we ex-
pect that a large number of the ope-
rators will participate in the confer
ence plan of settling prices.
fSigned) HENRY STEPHENSON,
National Board Member United Mine
Workers"