The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-01-30
STARRING FOR POINTS
MINERS AND OPERATORS SEEK
 TO SECURE ADVANTAGE,
Demands of the Employes and the Propositions of the Employers Alike Are Soon Voted
 Down.

| Indianapolis, Jan. 2.-The opening of the joint conference of Indiana, Ohio, H. 1 linois and Western Pennsylvaia coal op- | orators and miners was delayed today by | the operators holdig a caucus to form ulate their demands. At the caucus last night the operators found it impossible to get together and there was an adjourn ment- that the Indiana and Illinois oper- ators might have a caucus together. The operators came to Indianapolis ex- pecting the miners to make demand for 10 per cent increase in the mining scale, and when it was found that they had cut out the demands for more wages and were standing pat" on a proposi- tion to be presented to the operators. making ths run-of-mine basis and the 2 cent differential between pick and ma chine mining the battle grounds, the oper . ators had to change their plans Many operators urged that the operators make their demands very conservative.
 The Western Pennsylvania and Ohio op- orators insist on making demands for a return to the mine scale of 1902, and an- nounccd that they would refuse to con- slider the run-of-mine basis and the 7-cent diffeyential. The Illinois and Indiana op- orators were for more conciliatory action.
 Jacob Kalsey of Terre Haute, has been chosen as the permanent chairman of the joint conference. and W, P. Wilson, sec retary-treasurer of the miners organiza- ton as secretary, with c. L. Scruggs. secretary of the Illinois Operators As- sociation, as assistant secretary. These are the rules and order of business:
 Rule.-The hours of the conference shall be from 9 a. m. until p. m., with a re- cess from F to 2 o'clock. The miners representatives shall occupy the right side oR l.o11 NhA aAaS~ nAH& all llA
 Each State shall be permitted the same number of votes on the floor of the con vention. Four votes on behalf of the op- orators and four votes on behalf of the miners of each State. No motion shall be carried except on the affirmative vote of the miners and operators of each State.
 Each State shall have four operators and four miners on the scale committee. Sessions shall be open to the public un- less otherwise ordered. The use of tJ- bacco in the convention hall is prohibited.
 Order of Business.-Report of the cre- dentials committee. Appointment of the scale committee. Reports of scale com mittee. Disposal of the report of the scale committee. Adjournment.
 At the joint conference of the operators and miners today the miners demands as already carried by the AssocIated Press were presented by President Mitchell and substitute from the operators demand ing a decrease of 15 per cent. was sub mitted by H. L. Robbins, both were voted down. In opening the argument from operators Mir. Robbins of Pittsburg, called attention to the fact that the min CTS have had an increase of 66 per cent. during the last seven years. In reply to Mir. Robbins, President Mitchell spoke for | the miners. He said:
 "A reduction in wages will benefit nc | one. The operators would not be bene- | fited. They would have to give 1t to the | railroads"
 The remainder of the day was devoted | to discussion and sparring for technical | points of advantage.
 A joint committee was appointed to look | after the relief of the sufferers from the | Harwick mine disaster.
 The conference adjourned at o'clock | subject to the call of the scale committed