The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-06-25


 ference to me whether the operators or the miners scale is read first, but I take issue with Colonel Aldrich that this Is the main and principal question. take the position that this Is the mode of proce- dure, and until we get to the main ques- ton. the majority vote would carry. take the same position which MT. Aldrich does, but we look at 1t with different eyes. I think MT. Aldrich will not ac- knowledge this is the main question when we have not yet got down to business. :"
 Colonel Bush: T would like to ask MT Fairley in the joint conventions which are held in the west and other sections the nature of which We have undertaken to follow, what has heen the custom as to the presentation of scales by either or bot tn sdes?
 Mir. Faiiley: "As I soid at the outset. 1t Is matter of indifference to me who presents the first scale. If the men arc gc,ng to seek changes, and they are, then 1t is their duty to read the first scale. I wan. to bs fair. We have had scales kHtotlhtb ny lilt bptlulOIS iiSI dIu Dy the miners first. but the general custom is that the complainant, If l may use the term, should present his complaint for the other person to answer"
 The Chairman: "It hfs bsen moved and carried that the operators read their scale"
 ". P. Eynu:n: We have met here to transact business. As MT. Aldrich has told us, we have got labor to sell and they have got the capital to buy 1t with. It is our business to offer our labor to the operators and stop this dilly-dallying, and I want to see a resolution of this kind"
 It was moved and seconded that the former vote be reconsidered.
 The Cbs irnan Tt Is moved and sec ended that the former voto be reconsid- cred. And l n.,ght s1d also that this question is not worth the time we are fooling on it. It has always been the cus- tom in this district for the miners to read their scale first. It might be that when our scale Is read it will be 80 oonserva- tive that the operators will withdraw theirs and accept ours. I hope so, any woy."
 The question was then put to tho con ference and a standing vote taken which resulted in 1O3 for reconsideration and g against.
 It was moved and seconded that the miners read their scale in joint converi- ticn, which carried unanimousiy
 Mir. R. F. Newman was appointed off, ciai stenosrapher, Before the scale was read MT. John c. Smith presented the committed report on order of business. The scale of the miners having been de- clared in order 1t was read by MT. Smith. It was as follows;
 The Scale.
 First-The price of mining at Pratt Mines to be a minimum of 45 cents per ton when all grades of pig Iron net the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad Com pany $S or less f. o. b. cars at the fur naces in Alabama; and for every advance of 50 cents per ton in the price received for all grades of pig iron there shall be an advance of 2h cents per ton until the price received for all grades of pig iron reaches $9 per ton. when the price of mining would be 50 cents. Thereafter the price of mining shall advance 2h cents per ton for each S1 advance in the price received for all grades of pig iron until the price for mining reaches 60 cents per ton, which shall be the maximum.
 Second-The price of iron to be de- termned as before.
 Third-The expenses of the representa- tives of the miners and others governed by the scale to be regulated and paid by them.
 Fourth-The coal is to be weighed at all mines before dumped and check weigh man allowed.
 feet and six inches in height the price shall be 2h cents extra, and 2x cents for each three inches below that height, ana all coal below two feet to be special con- tract Increase on narrow work to be based on these prices,
 Sixth-That all dead work be paid for by the company, the price to be set by mine official and local committee.
 Seventh-That all grades over per cent the company shall put the cars to the face.
 Eighth-That eight hours shall consti- ute a days work for United Mine Work ers of America throughout this district.
 Ninth Pay day shall be every two weeks, in legal curl ency.
 'Tenth-That this contract will not go Into full force and effect until all local mine rules have been drawn up and agreed upon jointly between the mine of ficials and mine committees.
 Eleventh-No discrimination 's to be made, but all competent United Mine Workers of America are to have an equal chance at the work.
 Twelfth-That a uniform day wage scale be based on coal at 55 cents per ton as follows: subject to Articie l of this contract:
 Drivers s1.7s per day, nipnnum. s1.47k: spike team drivers, 25 cents extra for each mule over two. 10 cents per day extra; trac5mcn, $2.69 per day; tracxmer help trs, s170; miners on company work. S2.93 per day; trappers. s3H cents; stable men. $1371s; brattice man s2.69. All men work ing on rock shall not receive less than miners on company work and all other common day laborers for inside work not mentioned on the scale to De paid 10 per day: inside engineers. s195 per day; outside engineers. s2.56 per day; slope chalmers. SIS; trail rope chalmers, $l.7S; steam pumrers, s1.50; furnace flremen, sl.E0; boiler firemen, s1.S5; slope repair men, $40; Jumpers. s1.62; scalers. 162: ripple middle men. sl.4S; couplcrs. sl09; greasers, s1.N: railroad car loaders. s1.e21a; ash roller, $LS5; car repairers.