Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-02-15

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A resolution was also passed endors-
ing the mining laws which have been
presented before the state legislatures;
also one favoring the election of mine
inspectors by vote of the people.
MIR. Campbell Denies 1t.
Mine Inspector James A. Campbell
was seen today by Courier reporter in
regard to the resolution presented in
the miners convention at Des Moines
yesterday, against his disappointment
as mine inspector. Mr.. Campbell said
that he thought the whole trouble
originated at Lucas, in mine No. 4, but
was not sure of it. He said that there
had been some dissension there, but he
had done his best to remedy the de-
fects pointed out by the miners. He
denied the allegation that he had ne
elected to enforce the mining laws
in any particular and said that in no
instance could it be pointed out that
the law had not been enforced when
a matter requiring the attention of
the inspector had been brought to his
notice.
The Mirrors, Convention.
Dss N[oines, Feb. 15.--The second
day 3f the session of the United Mine
Workers association saw but little ac-
complished, other than what was taken
up Thursday. The committee appoint
ed to fix scale for the coming mining
year has had its troubles, and has tried
to get together. There are different
opinions even with the miners, as well
as in the ranks of the operators
There are two different classes of
mining in the state, and so there are
conflicting elements; those very desir-
Gus of legislation, and the languid eie-
meat Because. of the fact that the
legislation asked will not injure the
other district, there is every possible
chance of the committee getting to-
gether.
There are two things which may be
demanded of the operators today--the
abolition of the screen and the cutting
of the differential. The frsr question
is championed by the second district,
which includes the counties of Monroe,
Mahaska and Wapello. In this district
the operators are said TO use 1A
inch screen, which permits only about
one-half to three-fourths of the coal
mined to reach the car, for which the
miner gets paid. The fine coal, which
is caused by the blasting, which goes
I'LL u lAO SCiCSu, Is olC vi GlC IGtulSSl
sellers, but for the mining of this ar
price, paid for mining in this district is
about rs cents for screened coal, and
so cents for mine run.
| In the first, third and fourth dis
tricts the block coal is found. This
coal is largely undermined, and then
| it falls out in large chunks and but lit
tie is fine enough to go thru screen.
The miners in this district are paid So
| cents for screened coal, which means
nearly that amount for mine run.
| These two conditions, existing in the
different sections, are whar cause a
slight stumbling block in the way OF
| the committee, which is composed of
| representatives of the different Sec
| tions of the district. There seems to
| be general desire on the part of The
| miners TO follow the advance of the
| eastern miners, and so they will prob
ably demand today that the screen be
done away with, and that coal be
| weighed as it comes from the mine.
| The differential question is one
which hobs up every now and then,
aud means an advance in the scale. In
| Illinois there has been an advance of
IA cents at the basing point,
which is at Danville, where
the operators are paying about
As CENTS for coal mined with ma
chimes. The differential in these east
ern states is from 9 to 10 cents, accord
ing TO the rate on the basing point.
| This differential is one of the stick
ers for the Iowa miners, for the oper-
ators are now claiming ditferential
of 80 to 35 cents per ton, which dou~
bles that claimed by operators of Hi
nois. The Iowa workers will demand
a reduction of this differential. They
claim that the operator is making all
kinds of money on his machines at the
expense of his workmen.
| The sentiment seems to be in favor
of cutting the differential at the bas-
ing point to an average of about 10 to
Is cents. This question has never been
forced in this state, and so there is no
basing point to work from. There will
have to be one established, and it seems
to be the general opinion that it will
either be fixed in the first or second
| districts.
There is not the least doubt but that
a determined stand will be taken on
| these two questions-the doing away
/ with the screen and the cutting down
of the ditferential.
There are many minor questions
/ which will come up before the associ-
alton. A report on the claimed injus-
tice of inspectors was made and the
| practice in favor of the larger mines
4 was condemned. This matter will be
i presented 10 the authorities.
i