The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-01
Single Vote Ends Meeting of Min
erS, While President Mitchell
Makes a Protest.
DEADLOCK STILL HOLDS
Neither Side VIII Consider a Com
promise, Although Unanimity
of Action Is Improbable.
TO RECONVENE MEETINGS
Important Days Work Mapped
Out for Opposing Delegations,
Who Insist on Their Plans.

over 1000 miners and operators of the
competitive district of Illinois, Indiana
Ohio and Western Pennsylvania, and outly-
ing States. assembled in TOmlinson Hall
at 10 o'clock yesterday morning to reach
an agreement on a joint wage scale 10 go
into effect for the mining scale year, be-
ginning April 1. An air OF expectancy hung
over the convention as Chairman j. L. Kol-
sen raped for order.
The session proved to be short and un-
eventful and aften ten minutes of parlying
adjournment was taken until 9 o'clock this
morning. leaving the question of a wage
scale and issues pertaining thereto un-
touched
AS a result of early adjournment yester-
day. the status of the disagreement remains
practically the same as when the former
conference ended early in February. AL
though the United Mine Workers held
meeting yesterday morning and the State
delegations also held conferences through
out the day. no light was thrown on the
situation and the outlook for a speedy set
tlement is not encouraging.
While both sides are conservative on the
probability OF a strike. there is a feeling
among miners and operators that the in
terstate movement will undergo severe
test and the issue possibly submitted to an
arbitration board before an amicable set
tlement is reached
DEADLOCK STILL STANDS.
As when they left the conference in dead
lock Feb. T. both miners and operators
are standing firm for the utimatums pre-
sented at that conference. While there may
lie some among the 500 miners in the city
who would be willing to compromise. none
could be found yesterday who expressed
themselves willing to accept anything but
the reaffirmation of the present scale. AL
though it is reported that some operators
favor eonciliatory action, all declared yes
terday that their position had not been
changed, and they still felt that reduction
must come
The convention will get down to vital
discussion of the question this morning
when IL convenes at o'clock. The reason
for taking an adjournment yesterday was
Ito give the newly-arrived delegates time
TO rest up. Nest of the Indiana operators
and a great many of the miners did not
reach the city until a few minutes before
the convention was called to order. There
was some objection to the adjournment. es-
pecially by President John Mitchell, who
said
The miners are here to do business. Tn
less the operators have some good reason
/ am not in favor of adjournment
Frank l.. Robbins Immediately replied:
''Wo are glad the miners are here to do
business. which they certainly were not
at the former conference. If such is the
case 1, too. am in favor of proceeding"
LONE VOTE CARRIES MOTION.
However after several motions to adjourn
were voted down. one made by w. S. Boyle
-ffx
At the special session of the United Mine
Workers President Mitchell explained why
the officers of the organization have re-
called the national organization to the city.
He said that such action was taken in or
der that, in case no agreement could be
reached. the policy of the organization
might be shaped by national representa-
tive body. The remainder of the session
was devoted to a. discussion of transporta-
tiOn affairs.
Following the adjournment. the miners
of the various States held caucuses in diff
ferent parts of the hall. The purpose OF
them was TO straighten out transportation
certificates. 1t is estimated that bringing
the national convention to the city again
will cost the United Mine Workers at least
10000. a number of the delegations voted
TO stand solid for the 1908 scale. while
some of them bring with them instructions
from their locals to demand the present
scale.
ROBBINS STANDS GROUND.
Il Is evident that one operator at least
Is Iirm in his convictions that reduction
must icome. This is Frank L. Robbins
president OF the Pittsburg Coal Company.
Nothing goes but a reduction said Mr.
Robbins last night, absolutely nothing
We can't think of anything elseT' w. S
Boyle. OF the Indiana operators, also said
that there had been no wavering on the
part of the operators and their position re
mains the same originally taken-i e
for the adoption of the 1900 scale, which is
about Y per cent. lower than the present
scale.
There was some speculation yesterday a:
TO whether should the deadlock remain un.
broken. arbitration would be resorted to
Some OF the miners IL is understood, would
be In favor Of this of settlement
IL Is also said that a suspension of business
for six weeks less would not be op.
posed by the miners should il be an outlet
10 avoid a strike
A suspension of business. il is freely ad-
mitted. would do the coal market a great
good. provided the suspension is for >
short time