Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-03-18
MINERS SETTLE QUESTION
IN THE SECOND DISTRICT

and only then are strikes and lock
outs justified.
other Speakers.
The program of toasts was a long
one, and lack of space forbids the re,
production of ever parts of the numer
Gus excellent sentiments that were
given expression. The burden of all
the addresses, however, was that the
joint movement which is in vogue be-
tween the miners and the operators is
opening to the world a new era in the
labor problem, and is offering a solu-
ton for the much mooted question.
John p. Reese spoke on the needs of
the coal industry, Edwin Perry. vice
president of the organization, on the
influence of the miners union on So
ciety; John F.Ream. of Oskaloosa, IN
of the prominent miners of the state
on brotherhood" John Gibson, of
Des Moines, on my Experience with
Labor Unions;" Arthur e. Hotter, of
Des Moines, president of the State
Federation of Labor, on views of the
joint movement; Hon. N. E. Kendall,
of Abba, and Hon. Claude Porter, of
Centerville. on their experiences re
garding labor matters; H. H., Garfield
VI boolc, III LIS luCtS W ulllOllobl.
and others, including President C. H.
and Secretary John P. White, of the
miners union, talked for a few min
utes regarding the labor movement in
general.
Shortly after 1 o'clock the affair
was brought to a happy conclusion,
and all concerned voted it the most
successful one of the natureSever held
in Iowa during the history of. the min
ing industry in the state.
knotty Questions.
The first district was temporarily
disposed of by the joint scale commit.
tee yesterday afternoon, although
some knotty questions are still left for
settlement, among which the most Sc
rious is probably that of a uniform day
wage scale. This was the matter that
tied the scale committee in a hard
knot during the latter part of yester-
day mornings session, and finally, af-
i ter trying to find a way out of the diff
ficulty yesterday afternoon, it was
passed until other parts of the scale
shall have been made and a more op-
perfume time has arrived for consider
alton of the day wage scale.
Reese Serves Notice.
President Reese, however, served
notice upon the operators yesterday
afternoon to the effect that the miners
side of the scale committee will not
agree to anything less than a uniform
day wage scale, which means. in the
first district, $2.l5 per day for drivers,
pushers, dirtmen, track layers, pipe
men. cagers and general inside adult
labor. All these classes are now be-
ing paid So except the track layers and
pipemen, who draw $2.15 now. Mr.
Reese said that. unless instructed by
the miners convention the miners
scale committee will not give way on
this point, as they think that the time
has arrived for a levelIing up in this
matter, and a uniform scale for day
labor all over the state. The opera.
tors disagree on this point, and con.
tend that there is easier work, espe
cially at driving, in the first district
than in other parts of the state.
Other Matters Passed.
Other matters which We're passed,
along with the day wage scale, the
mine run price in Putnam county, Mo-.
and the room turning with twenty.
seven foot doorways. which defied the
efforts of the committee in the morn.
ing, are to be found in the district res
olutions. They relate to brushing
and other dead and deficient work
building of cribs, double shifts in
machine work, the responsibility Of
the miner for dirt in machine work
and orn cutting. These matters
are referred to a subcommittee con
sisting of four miners and four oper
ators, with instructions to report or
the question today. This committee
is composed of the following men
the first four being miners and the
second four operators: John F. Ream
Beacon; S. J. erase, Cincinnati; F. T
Romesburg, Mystic; Harvey Coon
Mendoza, Missouri; Axel Dargavel
Cen~tervilIe; l.. l.. Lodwick and A.
Dudley, Mystic; B. H. Johnson, Men
dota, Missouri. a.
, This committee could not agree O
anything definite last evening, a
though a session of nearly two hour
was held. This morning it 5reporte
its progress to the scale committee
and one member said in private COZ
> yersation with the representative c
5 the Courier:that in his, opinion the MAJ
l ter be almost entirely settled b
] the subcommittee in a second meeting
1t is the desire of the scale committe
to have this done if it is possible, S
that the work car proceed as fast a
! is possible.
Sections Adopted.
e The sections OF the scale relating t
{ the first sub-district which We're adopt
/. ed yesterday afternoon were as TO
i lows:
r Oilers and trappers, per day $l.OC
n Boy drivers may be used betWee.