The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-06-26
JOINT COMMITTEE
 WORKING ON SCALE Scale Proposed by Operators
 Read in Convention IA FORTY CENT MINIMUM Miners and Operators Far Apart on Wage Question, But They VIII
 Probably Get Together Within Ten Days.
A FORTY CENT MINIMUM

The wage scale proposed by the furn- ace operators was read in the minera' convention yesterday afternoon. IL calls for minimum of 40 cents and a maxi mum of 55 cents a ton for cutting coal as against 475b and 571k cents in the present scale and the price which the miners ask be inserted in the new scale.
 Although the miners and operators are now far apart it Is believed they will get together within ten days. The joint scale committee is at work and will report to an adjourned session of the miners con- vention next Wednesday.
 The convention maintained it's record yesterday in assembling promptly and practically all of the delegates were in their seats when President Flyn called the session to order at 1:So o'clock.
 Delegate Tinney reported for the scale committee. He said that the committee I of miners had met with the operator's committee and had held two sessions at which the scale presented by the miners had been discussed section by section. but as yet no vote had been taken. The operators seemed to oppose all of the provisions of the report. The joint com mittee had adjourned until Monday morn- ing when another session will be held When Mir Tinney concluded tho con vention called for the reading of the operators proposition, and while this reading was in progress the delegates gave positive evidence of disapproval. | ha af ha was concluded. delegate moved that 1t be rejected, but President Flynn said he did not think such a motion necessary. Delegate Kirkpatrick directed attention to the fact in a rather facetious manner that there were no operators present to sign a contract. After some discussion as to date for adjournment, a motion nx- ing the date for reconvenins on wednes- day at Il o'clock was adopted.
 oeprators' Scale.
 The proposition of the operators offers the following. scale, the average selling price of iron being the basis; When iron sells at SS .50 the coal mining wage shall be 70 cents per ton; Iron at 30, mining 42h cents; Iron nt s9.50 mining 46 cents; iron $1O, mining 47is cents; iron at si1 mining 50 cents; Iron at s1e. mining Bsh cents; iron at s1a. mining 55 cents (maximum)
 The same way of nscertaining the aver age selling price of Iron was offered as prevails at present.
 A reduction was also proposed in day wage. the same going up and down with the average Iron selling prices The drivers are offered s1 Sl against N.61 now.
 The operators day wage scare is to govern, based on maximum of B cents and minimum or 70 cents per ton for pick-mlned coal.
 Drivers, sl.9O. s1.as. s14d, n.54. s1. .62, s1.70, s1.7S; trackmen. $1 .s6 to g. 60; track men helpers, sl.2b to sl.7O; trappers, 60 cents to 9s cents; Brattlce men. si.s6 to $2.69i inside engineers, sl.42 to l.05; out side engineers, 1.s7 to s2.56; slope chain CTS. s1. 80 to sl.7s; tall rope chalmers. sl 30 to s1 .7s; steam bumper, s1.3O to $1.7s; fur mace firemen. $1 .09 to $1 .50 boiler firemen, s1.35 to $1.s5; slope repair men, s1.74 to s2; Jumpers $110 to $1.52; scalers, $1.10 to $.52; tipple mjddlemens a .0s to $.4S; coupler. 79 cents to s1.09; greaser, 76 cents to a04; pin puller, s1.20 to 1.64; railroad car loader. $1.19 to s162; ash roller, 30 cents to $1 .35 car repairer, s1 S1 to SEAT; machinists, sl.s2 to $2.4s; black smith. $2.15 to s2.96 blacksmith helper. s.2 to $1.67; drummers. s1.4s to s2.02; miners in company work. s2.1S to g. .9S; stable men. 1o to s1.37 motormen. sl.76 to s2. .45 motor trip riders. s1.67 to s2 3S; machine runner. s2.14 to s2.93.
 A scale is also provided for chain ma chine mined coal.
 Other clauses in the operators proposed scale are as follows:
 Nine hours shall constitute days work and means at face of coal. The miners are expected to work hfty-four hours week if the companies need the coal. Coming to and going to working places must be done on the mems own time. Drivers must take mules from and to stables and does not constitute any part of time.
 The "slate" rules of 1904 are renewed.
 Fines are to be imposed for absence from work without consent of mine fore man.
 Boys under IA years of age are not aI- lowed to work in mines.
 When dfferentials for thin coal are paid they shall not apply to yard prices.
 Pay day shall be monthly and on or before the first Saturday following the 18th.
 Lewiston, Graves Sayreton and Searles shall be 71z cents per ton less than the Pratt basis. and placed upon the sliding basis.
 No miners meetings are to be held near the mines during work hours.
 Distribution of tram cars is provided for to men working with machines or picks, and there shall be no discrimina- tion between pick and machine mining
 The contract according to the operators is to be for three years. from June 30, 1904, to June 30 1907.