The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-06
Miners and Operators Adjourn
 Sine Die
PROBABLY MEANS STRIKE
President Mitchell States That 1t Looks as Though the Men Will Come Out on the 1st
 of April.

Indianapolis, March 5.-The joint con- ference between the coal miners and op- orators of the central competitive dis tricts, adjourned today without reach Ing an agreement as to the scale of wages for the year commencing April l. The operators are leaving for their homes. The 500 miners delegates here will meet Monday when 1t is announced a state- mept of the position of the miners will be given to the public.
 The final disagreement and adjorun. ment came after a day devoted tc con- sderation of the ultimatum of the oper- ators, which was that a 2-year scale be signed at reduction of 5Is per cent from the present scale. This had been made to the joint sub-scale committee which ta~ day reported 1t to the joint scale com mittee, which In turn reported 1t to tho joint conference. Addresses urging the ac- ceptance of the proposition were made by leading operators. They insisted that present conditions in the country neces- sitated some concession by the miners. They announced that this was the ulti- matum of the operators, and they express ed the hope that there would be an amicable settlement.
 Bound By Instructions.
 The miners association asked for a con vention of their own and the operators withdrew. In the executive session of the miners President Mitchell President Lewis. Secretary Wilson of the national organization. and many of the district of ficers, advised the acceptance of the oper- at''TF' proposttion. h reply | any of tl, de.Aeates anounced they wore bound by instructions and could not vote for reduc. tion.
 A test rising vote was taken and 1t was seen by the national miners officers that the delegates were not ready to follow their advice The executive session was adjourned and joint conference was asked for.
 Joint Conference Held.
 The joint conference was held at f,3C p, m. Nearly every miner and operator was in his seat Without preliminary, Chairman Kolsen asked if the convention was ready for A vote. Both sides replying in the affirmative, the question was put on the acceptance of the proposition made by the operators. There was tie vote. The miners voting by states cast four votes against acceptance It was also a tie and the question was lost. Before an nouncement of the result, President Mitchell moved that there be postpone ment of the final vote This carried. A meeting of the joint sub-scale committee was agreed upon. The committee was in session but few minutes.
 The operators announced they had noth- ing to offer and the miners insisted that they were bound by instructions and could not accept a reduction. After being In session a few minutes the members of the sub-scale committee filed into the con- vention hall. MT Robbins at once moved that the convention adjourn sine die. President Mitchell seconded the motion, which carried There was intense though suppressed excitement In the hall, and the meeting adjourned.
 Miners VIII Decide.
 It is stated tonight that the proposition to strike will be referred to referendum vote of the miners of the four states forming the competitive district This ac- ton may be ordered by the miners in con- vention Monday morning. If the locals vote against the proposition, operators say a strike Is inevitable, as they will not make further concessions.
 Opinion among the miners tonight was divided Expressions were frequently heard that a mistake had been made in allowing the miners from districts outside the competitive district to vote in the miners convention on the proposition Of the operators. They voted almost unani- mously against it's acceptance.
 Many operators said the interstate movement had been dissolved President Mitchell said tonight:
 "The adjournment of the convention means practically the disruption of our state movement, and points strongly to- ward A strike in the competftiye districts April l. Of course something may come up in the meantime by which we can get together and heal the breach"