The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-21

and we will agree to him If only we can have confidence In him.
 j. Someone was talking about the part ing of the ways I hope we are still far from that parting. 1 believe that the operators want to do what Is right, but that they are the victims of poor judgment. If they will stop to consider the matter they will see that we cannot ac- cept as umpire, a federal judge. Gentle men, if you want peace and prosperity in this district would most earnestly ad- wise you to stop and think. I tell you se- riously that l would come to the parting of the ways with the greatest reluctance. l know what strikes mean. I have prob ably seen more of the terrors of strikes than anyone in this convention. I know and am fully alive to the miseries which would come with a strike. But if this proposition which you have offered Is your ultlmatum, If you mean that you must name the umpire, then we have come to the parting of the ways.
 Something to Arbitrate.
 Arbitration has come to be the method of settling disputes when some differences arises on which the parties cannot agree. In the thirty years in which have been familiar with these disputes both in this country and on the other side of the wa ter. but in all that time l never knew of so bad proposition as this one except in one instance, and that was in the case of the anthracite case, and you want to repeat the dose here. But 1 tell you plainly we are not going to hand our selves and our interests over to be slaughtered. There are men in thls dis trict who are perfectly competent to act as umpire. and who would be perfectly satisfactory to us.
 T want to say in conclusion that we will not accept your proposition even if 1t means strike with all of the attend ant evils. You offer arbitration and at the same time try to give us some one to cut off our heads. We won't accept your proposition for the selection of an um- pire'
 J. c. Maben, president of the Sloss- Sheffield company, moved that the whole question in dispute as to the arbitra- ton be referred to the sub-scale commit- tee. which should report back to the joint conference.
 On the motion being put, a great many of the miner delegates voted against it. but the vote was indecisive. Before the chairman could put the motion to a show ing of hands, Mir Farley arose and begged the miners not to put themselves in false position; that they had kept on the right side so far and he wanted them to continue to do so.
 The motion being then put, 1t was car ried unanimously.
 The sub-scale committees are:
 For the miners: Joseph walwork. R. L. Golson and Alex. Gilmore, with w. R. Fairley and Edward Flynn as advisers.
 For the operators; F. M. Jackson, J. W. Mcqueen and Charles McCrery, with B. F. Roden and E. B. Mccormick as ad- vsers.
 A recess was taken until 4;30 ?. m.. in order to allow the committee to Seliber- ate and formulate a report.
 At 4;30 the conference was called to or- der and Chairman Flynn stated that the committee could not agree and would not be ready to report until Tuesday at 5 D. m., and so an adjournment was taken until o'clock this afternoon.
 Agreement Probable Today.
 The sub-scale committees will meet again this morning, when it is believed they will agree. Several names have been proposed. some of whom 1t is be- lieved would be acceptable to both fac tons provided the parties in question would be willing to undertake the mat ter.
 Tie best opinion is that the fifth man will be agreed upon this morning.