The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-02-02
MINERS PRESENT SCALE
BETWEEN OPERATORS
AND COAL DIGGERs BEGUN.
President Mitchell Outlines the De-
mands OF the Men-Employers Ask
Reduction of Ten Cents a Ton.

COLUMBUS, o., Feb. 1.-The second
days session of the joint conference of the
coal operators and miners was called to
order by Temporary Chairman John Mitch
ell. of the miners union. The committee
on credentials presented its report. show
ing there were 499 miner delegates present
and 1S2 operators.
w. ID. Ryan, of Illinois, then moved that
Iowa and Michigan delegates be admitted
to the conference After debate the
tion was put and the vote resulted in a tie.
The chair decided that the motion was
lost. and long parliamentary wransls
followed. Various motions were made with
view of Strengthening matters out, all
of which were finally referred to the com
mittee rules and order of business.
The following scale committee was ap-
pointed:
Ohio operators William j. Mullins, ].
). Morton, Thomas Johnson and III. l..
Chapman. Miners: w. III. Haskins, d. H.
Sullivan, G. w. Savage and T. l.. Lewis.
Pennsylvania operators: f. L. Rodgers.
F NJ. Osborne, w. f. Rodgers. Q. z. Black
burn. Miners: p. Dolan, William Dodds,
Andrew Davidson. Arthur Charleton.
Indiana operators: w. s. Boyle, ]. K. Sci
fert, ]. Smith Talley. ]. McAllan. Miners:
Harry Wright
Illinois operators: H. N. Taylor, F. s.
Peabody, J.; H. Garaghty, g. T: Culls.
Miners: William Hefti, William Johnson,
II {. Perry, w. d. Ryan.
President Mitchell moved that the opera
tors present their scale, which was de-
clared carried, and F. l. Robbins, while
offered a resolution that the scale of last
-
corresponding reduction in all ether work.
A motion was made to adopt the Rsbbins
resolution, and after long debate it was
referred to the scale committee. The
operators then requested that the miners
present their proposition. President Mich
ell responded on behalf of the miners, out
lining their demands as follows:
Tristan increase of 10 per cent. in the
price of mining and all mine labor.
Second-The adoption of a scale on the
run-of- mine basis.
Third-A fiat differential between the
price of machine and pick mining, the same
to be uniform throughout the competitive
district
around the mines be required to become
members of the miners organization.
Fifth-That the dues of the members of
the organization be checked off in the Of
fees at all the mines
President Mitchell argued that the run-of-
mine basis should be adopted for the reason
that two-thirds of all the coal mined in the
competitive district was paid for on that
basis. He discussed the machine question
at length, declaring that it was one Of the
chief subjects of controversy and that the
miners would not be satisfied until q uni
form and fixed differential had been
adopted. They would not consent he said,
to differential based upon a percentage of
the price for pick mining or for run of
mine.
At the conclusion of President Mitchells
address the conference adjourned, to meet
at the call of the scale committee. A brief
session OF the scale committee was held
later. and w. r. Ryan, an Illinois miner.
was elected chairman. +. S. Brooks, of
Ohio, and c. L. Scroggs, of Illinois. were
elected secretaries for the operators and
w. p. Wilson secretary treasurer of the
United Mine Workers. secretary for the
operators The scale was not discussed,
and the committee adjourned till a. m.
tomorrow.
The prospects for an agreement are not
bright, and the negotiations promise to be
protracted. Both the operators and the
miners are feeling their way, endeavoring
To secure some advantage There is little
probability that the operators will concede
the demands of the miners either for the
run-of-mine basis or a uniform dIfferential
for machine mining. The question of an
advance in the price of mining Is not
seriously discussed, it being generally con-
ceded that If an agreement is reached it
will be uoon n basis of the nresant nar oa,,t