The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-24
WANT A CHANCE TO EXIST
NOW PAID ONLY 90 CENTS ON THE
DOLLAR FOR THEIR COAL,
And VIII Make an Effort to Have the
Price Increased If the Wages of
Miners BE Raised.

ment between the large coal companies and
the mine workers to settle their dispute
outside the anthracite coal strike commits
sion, but with the concilatory assistance
of the arbitrators, has not yet been def
nitely decided upon. The independents held
a meeting last night at which were present
the representatives of about twenty-six
companies, and a committee of nine was
appointed 10 go to New York on Tuesday
for the purpose of meeting the presidents
of the coal-carrying railroads and learn
from them what the independent companies
are to expect, providing they agree to go
along and adjust the labor dispute without
arbitration. This decision was not reached
until the independent operators attorney,
Ira III. Burns, of Scranton. had made a
report of the conference he attended. at
which were present all the attorneys for the
large companies and the miners and the
Cancellation" or subcommittee Of the COM
MISSION. Until they learn what the large
companies intend to do the independents
will make no positive stand beyond that
which they took in the hearing before the
commission on Saturday. That was to the
effect that they object to the commission
approving any agreement in which the in
The committee of the independents is
composed of the following mine owners:
w. w. Watson. of the Hoosic Mountain
Coal Company and the Mount Jessup Coal
Company. Of Scranton; L. B. Sturges. Pine
Hill Coal Company, of the Schuyll5ill re-
gion; ]. 1. Crawford. Peoples Coal Com
pany, Scranton; H. C. Reynolds. Wyoming
Coal and Iron Company, Scranton; w. l..
Connell, Green Ridge Coal Company, Scran-
ton. and Enterprise Coal Company. Shamo-
kin: DR.. j. N Rice, Riverside Coal Com
pany, Scranton; J. 1. Cake, Clear Spring
Coal Company and Raub Coal Company,
Pittston; Joseph ]. Jermyn. of Jermyn &
Co., Scranton, and c. d. Simpson, West
End Coal Company, Scranton.
WILL MAKE A FIRM STAND.
Mr.. Connell, who is the recorder (mayor)
of Scranton, is chairman of the commit
tee. Mr. Simpson is associated in business
with w. II. Watkins, one of the strike COM
missioners. although Mr.. Watkins is not
connected with the West End Coal COM
pany or any other anthracite coal concern.
The independent operators will make firm
stand for some recognition in the matter
of a settlement with the miners. 1t is
authoritatively stated they will not as
sumo the attitude of belligerents when the
committee meets the coal presidents, nor
will they appear as suppliants. The in
dependents feel that if an increase in wages
is agreed on they will want some conces-
sion from the coal-carrying railroads In
order to compensate them for granting an
increase to the miners.
The independent companies, 1t is under
stood. do not sell their product directly to
the consumer. They turn 1t over to the
coal-carrying railroads, who give the in
dividual concerns, generally speaking, 65
cents on every dollar, retaining 80 cents for
hauling and selling the coal. The indie
pendents say that If wages are increased
the large companies have it within their
power to increase the price of coal to the
consumer or maintain the present high
price at the mines, which was fixed by
some companies after the strike in order
to compensate them for the damage en-
tailed during the suspension. The indie
pendents say they must take what the
companies give them-65 cents on the dol
lar-but will make an effort to have il in
creased to 20 or rs cents on the dollar. The
Independents say they can complicate mat
tiers if they cared to, but feel 1t would not
While it has not been officially stated. it
is understood that whatever agreement is
submitted to the strike commission for APP
prevail must first have to be approved by
all the companies. If the Independent COM
panies were disposed to disagree on a set
Element made between the large companies
and the miners ii would make matters in
teresting. common remark heard in the
anthracite regions is, THAT no matter what
the big companies do the smaller concerns
will have TO go along" The independents
do not see 1t in that light.
FEAR BEING GOBBLED.
The large coal companies have been
gradually absorbing the independent COM
panies and in the case of several of those
small operators it is only question of time
when the large companies will have con-
troll of all of them. In 1900, the year of
the last big strike, the Independent COM
panies mined about % per cent. of the
entire anthracite production, but now they
control only about Is per cent. of the coal
output.
A representative of one of the coal COM
panies, well versed to speak in the present
situation, said to-day: THE independent
operator is in an unfortunate position
Every time the large companies and the
union get into a conflict the smaller con-
GERMS whose men, as a rule. have no griev-
ances, are drawn into ii and the independ-
ent company must share the burden of the
battle While the individual companies are
not willing to do so, many of them feel 1t
would be better to make terms with the
United Mine Workers of America and live
in peace than to have their business dis
turbed every time the others get into a
Snarl which always draws them into it, Ii
would be matter of representation"
There has as yet been no definite time set
for the holding of conferences between the
representatives of the large companies and
the mine workers. Attorneys and other
persons representing the big companies
have gone TO New York and PHILADELPHIA
for instructions and authority to act Moth
ing will be done here until they return
clothed with the power to negotiate a set
Element Clarence S. barrow. leading coun-
sci for the union, was in New York to-day
on private business, ii is said
While nothing has been agreed upon. the
best forecast that can be made at this time
is that the men will receive in the neighbor-
| hood of a 10 per cent. increase, a nine-hOur
day. the weighing of coal to be adjusted as
best il and agreements between the
men and the company by whom they are
employed. The agreements. * is said will
/ run for a term OF two three years from
| Dec |. The four principal demands OF the
| miners are for a 20 per cent increase an
! eight hour day, weighing of coal wherever
| practicable by the ton and yearly trade
agreements.
representative of the miners TODAY
/ said il is possible the men employed by
| each company will have a committee or
| organization TO deal with the company Off
/ Gals. the men TO have the privilege of call
/ ing into the conference for advice the ma
| tional president Of the union in case Of dis
/ putes If this scheme is not adopted then
/ another, which will have the collective
/ bargain idea, IL is believed, will be agreed
/ upon.
The report that The commission was the
| first to suggest that the opposing forces
get together on the outside is true. The