Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-03-07
ment with the miners that you now

Can,
'If strike is necessary here the
fight will be to force uniformity and
the mine run basis. The national Or
ganization will not sanction fight
made on any other line. believe the
miners have been fair in their de-
mands, but the operators have acted
unfairly. Our national organization
stands for uniformity and it grants no
privileges to anyone. 1t is our wish
to treat everyone fairly in this matter
and we are trying to work to that end.
Tho mistakes were made last year. we
are here to level matters this time,
and our national officers expect lev
cling up of the SCALE"
| Mr.. Reese again took the floor and
said very emphatically that the miners
do not wish strike or a fight, but that
they want what they claim is just. He
said that the operators had treated the
miners delegates to the sub-commit-
tees with contempt, and had disdaiIed
the propositions made by the miners
as to their scale. Mr.. Rosebrook stat
ed in reply that the operators were not
looking upon the miners demands in
that manner, but that they were con-
sidering the scale from the standpoint
as to the market prices for their coal,
and that they feel that the prices ask
ed for by the miners would cause the
operators to lose money. He said the
object of the operators, as we'll as of
| the miners, was to be fair in their
dealings. John F. Ream ventured the
assertion that nothing could be fairer
than the motion offered by Mr.. Water
man, which had been voted down by
the operators.
This proposition, however, is looked
upon with disfavor by some of the op-
orators, whose decision in the matter
will be made probably some time to-
day. The large majority of the mem
bers of both sides of the scale COM
mittee are in favor of settlement be-
ing made soon, and prospects are good
for bringing around the few who are
still hanging out" What speaks well
for the prospect of satisfactory Set
Element is the fact that the miners
and operators are coming to under
stand each other better and to know
the desires of all. The prospect is al
$50 frightened by the perfect harmony
which exists among the different mem
bers of both sides of the committee.
Nothing will bring about "a peaceful
and satisfactory settlement sooner
than mutual discussion of the inter
tests of the two sides in the matter,
and this can only be attained by
friendly feeling among the men. So
far this has been the case, and now
with all the interested parties on both
sides in the city, both miners and op-
orators are justified in hoping and ex.
|pecting a speedy settlement of the
| differences which exist in regard to
, the ideas of what the scale should be
The afternoon session of the scale
committee was called to order at 2:3(
o'clock. The hour was late owing tt
the fact that the miners executive
board met that of the operators at the
Ballinghall hotel before the regular
meeting was called
Mr.. Reese started the ball rolling b!
stating that as the operators had helt
a separate meeting after the adjourn
ment of the morning session of the
joint, committee, they should be read.
to make some propositions as to thu
i. scale.
II. l.. Waterman stated that the fol
! lowing recommendations had been dc
} cided upon by the operators.
A fiat scale of go cents per ton TO
, That the uniform screen thruout tn
state be 6 feet by ~ feet.
That the price for machine mining
in the first district remain as the pres
: ent scale provides, SO cents per tol
: for the Mystic field and "A cents TO
the Centerville field.
: That the mine run price on the c
: B. & X. G.. R. R. track be S21a cents
], reduction of ia cents from las
5 years scale.
: Mr.. Waterman stated that the opel
! ators, after consideration, had decide
that these prices above mentioned ar
:. as high as they can afford to pay.
/. He added that the operators realiz
r that the 6 foot by IL foot screen is tn
8 best one, and have decided, despite oil
! jections by some, to indorse it.
v Mr. Reese replied by saying that tn
E miners regard these three prices as III
Il Just. He said that test had shown
! cents to be the correct pay for min
a run in the second district and that
n would be useless, to argue on 80 cent
|, for the miners have determined, afte
r due consideration, to take no less tina
e 81 cents. The same condition he sal
g is true as to the mine run price pr
r posed for the operators for mines @
e the c., B. & K. G. railroad track, If
a the miners consider S21h cents les
e than the amount they should have.
o AS to the machine price in the fri
e sub-district Mr.. Reese said that tn
e years price was made as compr
e mise on the part of the miners an
$ that they are not willing to accept
:, this year.
u Mr.. Reese then moved that the prit
for mine run in the second sub-distri
a be 62 cents. After short conferent
s Mr.. Waterman offered a compromis
t. price of 81 cents, and the minel
= went into short separate sessio
5, which was interrupted by Mr.. Waite
q mans withdrawal of the CONFRONT.
n at the instance of S. w. White, wi
q owns mines at Lucas.
u Mr.. Reese then moved that tt
n proposition as to making scale fl
each mine, based on actual test,
I adopted with go cents as a minimum
% price and 65 cents maximum. TIL
y was refused by the operators VIII
n wanted 5S 2-3 cents, the present pric
u to be the minimum. The miner
bowayor ,uo,ld not aocade to thic II