The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-04
The perator Demand n 10 Per Cent.
Reduction to Offset the Demand
for an Increase.
FOR AN OPEN POWDER MARKET
THIS DEMAND MAY BE GRANTED BY
THE OPERATORS.
While the Situation Seems Acute, 1t
Is Not Unlike Previous COndi-
tiOns i'm Joint Conferences.

NoN NNa AAAAACA OAA
all day yesterday over the wage scale, but
came to no agreement on any proposition.
The operators submitted a demand for a
10 per cent. reduction in wages against the
miners demand for a 10 per cent. increase.
There was considerable argument on this
proposition, which ended in the operators
voting for it and the miners voting solidly
against it. The vote Of the proposition of
the miners for a 10 per cent. increase was
the reverse, the operators voting solidly
against ii and the miners solidly for it.
The straight increase of 10 per cent. for all
employees was the first proposition of the
proposed wage scale.
The second proposition, a demand for an
absolute run of mine basis in the entire
competitive field, was debated at length,
and ended by the operators all voting
against it and the miners for ii.
The third proposition. a demand for a
uniform wage scale for outside laborers,
eight hours to constitute a day, met a SINH
lar fate.
There remain but four other propositions
to consider-a demand for a fiat d%ifferential
of 7 cents between pick and machine min
ing, an advance in the wages of drivers to
S2.25 a day with a 10 per cent. increase, an
open powder market and the check-off sys-
tenn for competitive districts.
MAY GRANT ONE DEMAND.
The operators have practically decided to
grant the demand for an open powder mar
ket, but the three other propositions will
be contested to the last by the operators.
The differential is perhaps the most diff
cult proposition of all to agree upon, and
-. - -.o1o- a.,
operators will vote solidly against it, unless
the Illinois operators vote for 1t, as that is
already their basis of payment. The arbi-
trary position the Eastern operators have
taken in opposing the differential and run
of mine system may have a tendency to
cause the operators Of Illinois TO help the
miners in getting concessions along these
lines, but the situation is so acute that if
they should take such a step the Eastern
operators. particularly those Of Pennsyl-
vania, might withdraw from the agree
ment.
There is some chance of a compromise on
the demand for drivers wage TO be adj
vanced to $2.25 a day, but as to the demand
for an additional advance of 10 per cent.
there can be no agreement, as the commit
tee has already failed TO agree on that
proposition.
on the check-off system the operators
dIG DaG my - NA1N NANJ
will take a firmer stand against ii this year
than ever before. The check-Off system,
once established. would place the organiza-
ton of the miners on a substantial nnan-
cial basis and enable them to tight harder
for their demands. On this, like all of the
other propositions, the Illinois operators
are not saying much, as they and the
miners have no quarrel and are getting
along nicely. Ohio seems to be more OPP
posed to. the check-off system than any
other State and will likely make the
90 hOhf OF INST If
Important action taken by the committee
yesterday was the tabling of a resolution
introduced by Herman JUST, COMMISSIONS
of the Illinois Operators Association, pro-
viding for a board of arbitration in set
Ting disputes between miners and opera
tors. The resolution was practically killed
when Pennsylvania and Ohio operators had
it referred from the joint conference to the
scale committee. The action of the COM
mittee in tabling it lessons the chances for
it ever again to come to light, as one vote
will prevent ii from being taken from the
table.
PROGRESS IN DISAGREEING.
If the committee makes as rapid progress
in disagreeing on the scale as was made
yesterday it may make a report to the con-
vention tomorrow. No matter what the
report may be, there are many points that
will nave to be thrashed out on the floor
of the convention before a settlement is
reached. Both sides have settled down to
a, determined fight. The operators have
been outspoken in saying they will not
grant the provisions of the scale and have
retaliated with a proposition for a reduc-
ton of 10 per cent. in wages. On the other
hand the miners have, figuratively speak
ing. pitched their tents and are prepared
to ''stay il out
The fact that the operators nave de-
manded a reduction in wages is of no ma
terial consequence i'm reaching an agree
ment. They did the same thing last year
in rebuttal to a demand for a 10 per cent.
increase and the conference adjourned with
an agreement that the miners should re-
turn TO work at the old scale. AS to an in
crease in wages, the operators expect the
miners to do the same thing again this
year, but. as other important changes are
insisted upon. the situation is different.
The present strained situation is not taken
to mean any serious difficulty by either
side. as IL is always apparent at the be-
ginning. Both sides talk with serious faces
and at the same time say each side is
''bluffing" and chuckle to themselves over
the positive positions taken.
QUESTION OF POWDER.
There is one proposition in the scale that
the Illinois operators will oppose. and that
is the powder question. This is really a
part Of the Illinois operators scale. and it
is said they will fight an open market.
Here again is presented a peculiar situa-
ton relative to the position of the Illinois
operators will those of the Eastern States.
The Eastern States have said that they
did not care where the miners get their
powder, conceding that point and opposing
all others, while Illinois is already on the
proposed scale with that one exception
and is fighting the latter. If the powder
question is important TO the Illinois OPP
orators. as they say it is, it may serve as a
basis for compromise as TO other provi-
sions that the Illinois operators favor and
which are opposed by the Eastern States.
In all probability the scale committee
will report its inability 10 agree TO the
convention tomorrow and let the delegates
nave a chance to talk on the scale a while,
Some of the miners are dissatisfied because
the scale went TO the committee without a
more general discussion on the floor of the
convention. and to satisfy these a day or
two may be devoted TO debate and then
the scale Will be referred to a subcommit-
tee composed of two members from each
side representing each State. This has
been the way of reaching an agreement
i'm former conventions and IL is likely the
old programme Will be carried out in this
When the scale goes 10 the subcommittee,
then il means business and "bluffing" is al
an end.