The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-06

beyond doubt, with the greatest industrial
conflict in its history. In the four States
fected, while at a conservative estimate
5000 miners of outlying States, would be
involved in the struggle. These figures do
not take into account the number of non
union men who would go out on strike.
Not only would the coal mining industry
Of the middle West be tied up but within
a few weeks the great manufacturers
would be compelled to close their factories
because Of the lack Of fuel. 1t is said
that within a month or six weeks all the
larger consumers of coal would have to
close down their business should a strike
be carried into effect.
With 10000 men out on strike the loss
Of each days work would amount to over
S0l2O0O, which would mean a daily loss
TO the operators of at least $50 600. Should
the strike continue for six weeks or two
months the miners would lose in wages
over 900. and the operators almost
$500, 600
On the other hand there would be great
expense entailed by the miners in sup
porting their families and meeting the cost
or the strike and a similar expense on the
side Of the operators in fighting the strike.
The conflict would sink into the Golfers of
ganization and cost it daily thousands of
dollars.
INTERSTATE MOVEMENT
The interstate movement, which ended
so abruptly yesterday, was founded seven
years ago, when a meeting of operators and
miners Of the four States was held in Chi
cago and a joint scale agreed upon. Since
that time the movement has gone on, be-
coming more and more the principle which
has made the organization of the United
Mine Workers the leading labor union in
the world. 1t has been cherished too by the
operators almost as much as by the miners.
The meeting just ended was the seventh
annual conference.
The first convention was held in Chicago
on Jan. IL, 1898. and was presided over by
w. H. HolcOmb, of Chicago At this con-
ference the miners secured an advance in
the mining rate, the following base rates
being established: Pennsylvania and Ohio.
66 cents per ton for lump coal; Indiana,
bituminous, Sc cents for lump coal per ton,
40 cents per ton for run of mine. IS cents
per ton for block coal; Illinois, with Dan
Vile as basic point, 40 cents per ton, mine
run
The second conference was held the next
year In Pittsburg on Jan. IL, and was
presided over by Alexander Dempster. The
scale Of the previous year was reafhrmed.
Indianapolis was the meeting place of
the third conference, which was presided
over by WIS. Boyle, of Indiana 1t was
held on Jan. 3 and was in session until
Feb. 5. AT this conference the miners Sc
cured another advance of II cents for lump
and cents for mine run, making the scale
as follows: Pennsylvania and Ohio and the
block district of Indiana, lump, so cents
per ton; Indiana bituminous, mine run, *
cents per ton; Indiana bituminods, lump
% cents per ton; Illinois, 80 cents per ton.
The fourth convention was held in Column
bus, o., Jan 81, 1901 and was presided over
by Walter j. Mullins. of Ohio. The con-
vention was in session until Feb. Q.
@. W Traer was chairman of the joint
conference OF 1902, which was held again in
Indianapolis. At both of these conference:
the scale OF 1900 was reaffirmed.
At the conference of 1903 the miners once
more secured advance. The meetins
was held in this city on Jan. %, and wa:
presided over by G.. W. Traer, of Illinois
The advance given the miners amounted
TO 10 cents for lump and cents for min,
run setting the present scale, which is a.
follows: Pennsylvania. Ohio and the blocl
district OF Indiana, lump coal, 80 cents pc
ton; Indiana bituminOus. mine run, 50 cent!
per ton; Indiana bituminous, lump, 80 cent.
per ton: Illinois bituminous, mine run witt
Danville basis point, 30 cents per ton.