Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-02-03
THE DAY WAS DEVOTED 70
BOOTLESS CONFERENCE.
OPERATORS AND MINERS FAIL TO
APPROACH AGREEMENT ON
ANY POINT.
THREE TOPICS DISCUSSED.
PENNSYLVANIA OPERATORS STILL
POINT TO WEST yIRGINIA'S
SUPERIORITY.

COLUMBUS, Ohio, February q
The scale committee of the joint con-
ference was in session all day, with
out material progress. The operators
won victory in the only important
skirmish. When the Robbins resolu-
ton for reduction of ten cents went
to the scale committee on Friday, the
miners thought they had scored an i'm
portant victory through the admission
of the operators, that referring the yes
olution to the committee did rot bind
the committee to consider it. When
the scale committee met, however, the
operators insisted that the Robbins res
olution should be considered and tie
resulting, Chairman Ryan, one of the
miners representatives from Illinois,
voted in the affirmative. This was an
important victory for the operators be-
cause it permitted them to urge the
Robbins resolution as an offset to the
demands of the miners.
When the scale committee met this
morning the miners presented their de-
mands in writing, and the committee
at once took them up seriatum. The
demands:
That the scale of the prices be based
on single run Of mine standard.
That the differential between hand,
pick and machinery mining be seven
cents per ton.
That on and after April 1, 1901, an
advance of 10 cents to take effect in
all bituminous districts represented in
the convention, except the thin vein
of the competitive field.
That a uniform day wage scale for
all outside employees, except weight
bosses and mine bosses, be formulated.
That all underground employees be
advanced 80 per cent.
That eight hours shall constitute a
days work and that the time required
going into and returning from The
mouth of the mine shall be included
in the eight hours.
That the check off by the company
for organization become a part of the
agreement.
That the scale for all narrow work
be the same as the entry scale.
That the same day wage scale prevail
in jackson county, Ohio, as prevails
in other States.
That the Pittsburg prices and condi-
lions shall prevail in the Irwin field,
and that there will be no difference in
the scale paid between eastern and
western shippers.
Drivers shall not work more than
eight hours and taking mules to and
from the stable by the drivers shall be
included in the eight hours.
That eight consecutive hours shall
constitute a days work.
That the block of coal of Indiana lie
advanced IA cents per ton with present
conditions.
That the day wage scale for outside
and inside men, referred to, include
day men OF the Indiana block coal
field.
That the States Of Michigan and
Iowa become a part Of the next inter
state joint convention.
Only the first three demands of the
miners had been considered when the
committee adjourned.
The single run standard met with
most opposition from the operators Of
Ohio and Western Pennsylvania.
The Illinois operators voted with the
miners. AS there can be no agreement
upon any part of the scale except by
unanimous vote, the question passed
The proposition for fixed differen-
tial of seven cents between machinery
and pick mining was discussed at
length. The operators were opposed
to it, and it was passed.
The third proposition, for a general
increase in the price of mining of 10
cents per ton, was then taken UP, the
operators off-setting it by a demand
for reduction Of 10 cents per ton. The
operators were fortified with facts and
figures to show that the price of min
ing could not be advanced without in
curing a serious loss of business.
The Pennsylvania operators claimed
they could not hold their trade in
competition with West Virginia I'M
less the price should be reduced. The
question of the general price of min
ing was still under discussion when the
committee adjourned.
No one is attempting to predict
whether an agreement on the scale
will be reached or not. The result de-
ponds entirely on how far the miners
will be willing to recede from their de-
mandS