The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-01
BOTH DETERMINED
 NOT ID GIVE IN
Much Depends on Miners and
 Operators Conference
250,OO0 MEN ARE INVOLVED
President Mitchell Explains That Miners Were Recalled to Outline Policy In Case of
 Deadlock.

Indianapolis, Ind, February 29.-Coal operators and miners of the central com pettive district met here today in joint conference in an effort to agree upon wage scale for the coming year. There were present about 800 miners and many operators from all parts of Indiana, Illi- nois, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Owing to the non arrival of many miners from the east adjournment was taken until tomorrow, no business being trans acted. President Mitchell of the United Mine workers was present.
 On the outcome of the conference this week the majority of the larger commer- cial interests of the country are at stake. Should the miners and operators be un- able to reach an agreement the result will be a strike of the coal miners in the competitive field and in districts of out lying states throwing idle in consequence 250.Ooo men.
 It would mean a crippling of the coal industry and if long drawn out would mean crippling of large industries de- pendent upon coal.
 VIII Stand on Demands.
 Both operators and miners say they have returned to Indianapolis determined to stand for their previous demands-the operators for scale and working contract of 1900, which would carry 12 to 15 per cent reduction in wages, and the miners for the readoption of the present scale.
 When President Mitchell called the miners into extra national convention l. ..Tla. AA bot they were brought back to Indianapolis to outline the policy that should be fol- lowed, should the deadlock of the pre- vious joint conference continue. In his speech to the miners President Mitchell did not indicate what would probably be the trend of the joint conference except to say that the national officers had thought it advisable to have all districts represented to vote in outlining policy should no contract be reached.
 The Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Western Pennsylvania operators and miners held caucuses following the brief joint con ference and miners convention sessions today. The miners in their district eau GUS voted down stand pat" against a re- duction.
 Hobson knew nothing of any question but the navy, and said he really did not know what party he belonged to. Are you a democrat?' he asked, but Captain Hobson remained silent. In his reply later on he asserted most positively that he was a democrat and was bred on the milk of democracy. The colonel con- cluded with a sharp shot at the naval of- fieer about being a national figure
 Barnum Was National Figure.
 "P. T. Barnum was a national figure" he said, because he had a good monkey and dog show
 The congressman then put his case to the voters and said that If he had done them wrong he did not want them to vote for him. He said he was willing to rest his case on his record and was perefctly willing to leave 1t with the voters to decide. Captain Hobson concluded in about twenty minutes which was princi- pally spent in answering the new ideas advanced by his opponent.
 The second debate will be held at Shottsville tomorrow morning. This lit tie hamlet Is many miles in the interior of Marion county. The other dates fol- low.
 Jasper, 10 a. m.. Thursday. and Carbon Hill Thursday night OaKman Friday morning, Cordova Saturday afternoon, Fayette Monday, March [. Tuscaloosa March A. 10 a. m.