The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-05
MINERS TO-DAY WILL VOTE
ON OFFER OF COMPROMISE
MADE By THE OPERATORS
At Joint Conference Before Propo-
sition VIII Be Discussed
by Both Sides.
REDUCTION, 5.55 PER CENT.
Mine Owners Say Concession Was
Made to Keep the Movement
Intact.
DAY OF EXCITEMENT
Session May Decide Whether or
Not Big Strike Is to Be
Called-OficerS Silent.
REDUCTION, SIS PER CENT.
DAY OF EXCITEMENT

Upon to-days proceedings the settlement
of the disagreement between miners and
operators of the competitive field on wage
scale for the ensuing year is thought to
hinge. Although the outcome is still in
doubt, there is a feeling, especially among
the operators, that an agreement will be
reached by this evening.
BY the operators issuing their ultimatum
yesterday and in doing offering to COM
promise on a scale amounting to a reduction
of 555 per cent on the present scale, the
burden of the settlement rests upon the
shoulders of the miners representing the
various locals of the States of Indiana,
Illinois, Ohio and western Pennsylvania.
While the miners will not express them
selves freely or admit any change in their
attitude, it is believed that after more or
less resistance they will accept the COM
promise.
At the adjournment of the meeting of the
scale committee at o'clock last night the
call for meeting of the joint convention
of operators and miners was issued for
8 o'clock this morning, when the PROPOSE
ton will be presented for debate and adop-
ton. However, it is generally conceded
by the miners that it will not be voted on
but another joint convention will be called
for this afternoon, In order to give the
United Mine Workers an opportunity to
hold an executive session. in which they can
take vote by delegates or any other ac-
ton that they may agree upon.
DAYS PROCEEDINGS.
This will be the course of the days pro-
ceedings, according to the national officers
of the United Mine Workers. While ii is
expected that to-day will be crowded with
exciting events, no signal was betrayed on
the miners side of subscale and scale COM
mittees TO foretell the course of events. AL
though three sessions, two of the subscale
and one of the scale committee, were held
yesterday, il was stated by the operators
that the miners in no way committed them
selves in regard to the ultimatum The full
scale committee met at o'clock yesterday
afternoon, at which minute discussion of
the proposed scale was entered into 81 tho
part of the operators, and at O'Clock the
miners consented TO have 1t submitted TO
the joint convention.
The operators receded in their position at
the morning meeting of the subscale COM
mittee, when Mr.. Robbins presented the
ultimatum. The terms of their proposition
provide for reduction of one-half the in
crease granted the miners last year. or a
reduction of about per cent. on the present
scale This Will mean a scale on screen
mining cents less per ton. and on run-of-
mine cents less per ton than the scale
under which the miners are now working.
1T Will also mean to the drivers decrease
In wages from $2.56 day to S2.42 day, and
a reduction of per cent. in the wages of
the men working about the mines.
A TWO-YEAR CONTRACT
feature of the concession presented by
the operators is that the scale, based upon
the terms mentioned, must be a two years
contract. Heretofore all contracts between
the miners and operators have been for one
year only. There is a division of opinion as
to which side two-year contract may ia
vor. Some believe that this provision may
be formidable obstacle to its acceptance by
the miners. who would rather sign yearly
scales based upon the good conditions of the
times. However, 1t was pointed out that
should there come depression next year.
under the two-year contract the miners
would be much better off.
There Is mich speculation as to what at
titude the national officers of the United
Mine Workers will assume this morning
when the compromise of the operators is
presented to the joint convention: Mr.. Mitch
not express themselves last night Although
the three officers are ex officio members
of the scale committee, they did not COM
NIT themselves at the meeting late yester-
day afternoon. Several operators said yes
terday evening that they believed Mr..
Mitchell will recommend the compromise.
as they thought he realized it's right and
that he will be supported by the other Off
GERS. However, among the miners sentiment
is not so sanguine. They do not believe the
reduction will be accepted. Although any
suggestions made by the national officers
might tend to influence the vote the adop-
ton of the proposition rests entirely upon
the vote of the $50 delegates attending the
convention.
The belief that President Mitchell will
recommend the compromise scale is based
CONTINUED ON PAGE 6, COL Il