The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-16
JOINT CONFERENCE IS
To REASSEMBLE FEB. 29
Committee of Operators and
Miners Issues a Call for
that Date.
STILL O OMNIBUS
Leaders of Both Sides Indicate
that Nc Concessions Will
Be Made.
STILL o OMNIBUS

Coal operators and miners of the four
competitive States of Illinois. Indiana, Ohio
and western Pennsylvania will assemble in
Indianapolis in another joint conference
on Monday. Feb. %. and attempt to break
the deadlock that now exists relative TO a
wage scale for the year beginning April J.,
1904. The call for the second conference was
issued last night shortly after the adjourn
ment of the meeting at the Claypool Hotel
of the special committee appointed by opera
tors and miners to select a date on which
TO renew efforts to adjust the differences.
The committee consisted of one miner ana
one operator from each of the four States
as follows: II. n. Taylor. of the Illinois
OPERATORS; T. ]. Reynolds, of the Illinois
miners; ]. c. Kolsen, of the Indiana opera
tors; George Hargrove, of the lndlana
miners; ]. w. Winder, of the Ohio opera
tors; w. II. Haskins, of the Ohio miners;
Frank L. Robbins, chairman, of the Penn
sylyania operators. and Patrick Dolan, OF
the Pennsylvania miners.
Although the work before the committee,
which met yesterday, was of a brief ma
ture. the meeting was long and more or
less heated and it's outcome is significant
of the fact that the issue is to be threshed
out in a desperate fight with all forces on
the field. The members Of the
arrived in the city early yesterday morn
ing and went at once into session, ADJOURN
ing for a short recess at noon and contn-
uing at their work through the greater
part of the afternoon. before they came 10
an agreement as to the manner and time
of renewing the conference. 1t had been
expected that the committee would recall
the joint scale committee and give II an
other opportunity TO settle the question
and would not recall the host of delegates
until it had failed In its purpose. 1t is un-
derstoOd the miners were in favor OF this
method, but 1t met with strenuous oppo-
sitiOn from the operators, who desired that
tho conference be recalled. After debating
the question the greater part of the day
it was finally decided to issue the call to
the delegates.
LOOKS PORTENTOUS.
In view of the fact that the miners scale
committee carried instructions to accept
nothing but the present scale, the operators
pointed out that a meeting of the joint COM
mittee would delay matters. their attitude
showing that they are still resolute in their
demands. From the circumstances sur
rounding yesterdays meeting the outlook
for an amicable settlement is both vague
and portentous. 1t had been thought by
many that the operators would agree to a
settlement by the scale committee and
waive their demand for a reduction. How
ever, their action in the meeting yesterday
puts a new phase on the situation. By the
action OF the committee all OF the Gl dele
gates of the United Mine Workers and the
$50 operators will have to return to Indian
apolis on the 18th. The conference will last
until a settlement is reached.
The presence of the operators in the city
yesterday revealed the fact that they are
remaining firm In their demand for a re-
duction. Frank l.. Robbins, leader of the
operators, said after the conference: eve
are still determined in our stand for our
ultimatum. We cannot think OF anything
else. We have thought it advisable TO re-
call the conference but what the outcome
will be 1 cannot say"
Secretary Wilson, of the miners, said last
night: There is no question about our posi-
ton in the conference. We will stand for
the present scale. whether ii is fought out
through the scale committee or the joint
conference"
1t was reported yesterday that on both
sides there are some who are in favor OF
making concessions in order to effect a set
tlement. However, the majority of the
miners, especially Of Illinois and Indiana,
believe they can get the reaffirmation of the
present scale. The committeeman left the
city last night to return the latter part OF
the month.