The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-07-13
Miners Consider Wage Question
in Secret.
Decided Best Not to Open Doors
to Public.
MITCHELL'S ADDRESS.
The Great Labor Leader Urges
Moderation,
But Insists That the Men Stand
Up for Their Rights.

PlttSburg, Kan, July l3.-The Inter
state Miners convention spent Satur-
day discussing the scale for the ensuing
year in executive session. A number
of resident coal miners made applfca-
tion for admission to the convention as
spectators, but the convention deemed
It not advisable to throw the doors open
to the general public, as if one was ad-
mitted, all would have to be and the
large crowd would interfere with the
transaction of the convention business.
The doorkeeper was instructed not to
permit others than delegates to enter
except by vote of the convention. The
courtesy of seats in the convention as
spectators was extended to the state
officials of the mining and labor
bureaus, and the representatives of the
press.
President John Mitchell made the con-
vention an interesting address on the
interstate movement during the fore
noon, speaking of the advantages to be
gained by having joint contract for
three districts. He appealed to the
miners of the southwest to meet the OPP
orators. not in a spirit of bluff and
braVado but as man to man, and talk
over the situation calmly, temperately
and without prejudice or passion He
should hold their independence and re-
main firm for their rights, and at the
same time concede to the operators the
rights that they have.
The scale was taken up section by
section and each2wss thoroughly dis
cussed. The scale and contract will not
be made public until after 1t is adopted,
but it is understood that It does not
make any excessive demands upon tne
operators. 1t provides for a reasonable
advance in wages over last years con-
tract; stipulates that it is to be uni
form contract throughout the three dis
tricts special schedules for some or the
fields being provided for in regard 10
the thickness of the vein and manner
of working: and also providing for the
complete recognition of the union in the
three districts. 1t is believed that the
operators will not hesitate about &C
cepting the contract and scale provided
by the miners, as it is not greatly diff
ferent from last years scale, except tor
the uniformity throughout the districts
and the advance in the wage scale Inc
conference committee will be appointed
after the report of the scale committee
is disposed of.
The Southwestern Operators associa-
tfon which has been in session in Pitts
burg since Thursday adjourned Satur-
day evening until Monday, at Wmch
time the conference committee Will be
ready to meet with tbs miners confer
ence committee in joffH conference:
A general scale committee was appointed
with four members from each of the south
western states. This committee VIII act as
an interstate committee to arrange the
matters relative to an interstate JOINT con CON
tract with the miners Of the three SOUTH
western mine workers districts.
The general committee is as follows
For Nfissouri-~John n. EBovard. Wullam
Mckinley. B. r., Wiley and Peter M Me- ~
J. Devlin and A. B. Kirlwood. For Arkan-
sasF. Baehe, =; Br9wn y r 79VS To- -
Kin Az X Craig, y. c. Rcd and Jno. Cam
eron This committee includes representa-
tives Of the largest coal naming concerns IN
the west
the Southwestern Coal Operators asso77
citation is now a permanent institution ana
the OFFICERS and the executive committee
will serve until next summer, when an
other regular meeting OF the association
b. +. Bush of Sc. Louis. general man
ager OF the Western Coal and Mining com
ccigc coal interests IN the southwest. was
elected president of the association ana
roittee s w Kniffen of Kansas City.
president Of the Great Western Coal COM
pany was elected secretary treasurer OF
the association and will act as secretary
of the committee.
Vice presidents of the association: {. j.
Devlin for Kansas. + Bache TOT Al KAN,
sas r. G. Rombauer for Missouri and Carl
Scholz for Indian Territory. VIII act as
vice presidents of the committee Inc eA'
ec4ltive committee was appointed as fol-
lows: For Missouri, John Fl. Bovard, A. 1.
Harper and D. Macke: for Kansas, z. ).
ne1lin A b Kirkwood and Ora Darnal:
Tor Arkansas F. Bache. G. 5. Keith ana
A K Craig: for Indian Territory Carl
scbnIz William Busby and S. ]. Ton<in.
Fffty-seven coal mining corporations are
represented in the association as memters
and were represerrcd in Tho meeting of
the association at Pittsburg this week. The
representation was fixed according to the
tonnage produced last year by the com
NAMES and some Of the larger concerns
had as many as half dozen or more rep
resenta tfves, present. The Central Coal and
Coke company. for instance, had, besides
General Manager Maclde. district superln-
tendents present from all TOUR q the
cont western states and the Gould coal
interests had many representatives. while
the Rock Island, Santa Fe and other large
coal interests had half dozen representa-
tives present each.