The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-29
owners OF COAL HINES
IN COMPETITIVE FIELD
WILL FIGHT INCREASE
This Sentiment Prevails Among
the Operators Here for the
Joint Conference.
WORK WILL BEGIN TO-DAY
First Days Session Not Important
Because OF Nonarrival of the
Pittsburg Contingent.
F L. ROBBINS NOW HERE
He Is Regarded as the Leader of
the Observation-Disclosures
Are Announced.
WORK WILL BEGIN TO-DAY
F L. ROBBINS NOW HERE

Bituminous coal operators and miners of
Illinois. Indiana. Ohio and western Penn
sylvania. who are in the city for the sew
enth annual joint wage conference Of the
competitive district. failed TO get down TO
business yesterday according 10 schedule.
The delay caused by the failure of a
number OF the operators from the Pittsburg
region TO arrive in the city yesterday morn
ing. all train from that sect ton Of the coun-
try being several hours late. The leading
figure Of the conference on the employers
side, Frank L. Robbins. Of Pittsburg, was
expected early yesterday morning. but did
not make his appearance until in the aft
ernoon and by the time he and his party
reached the convention hall it was too late
10 begin regular work. Consequently the
convention adjourned until 9 o'clock this
morning. when the men will settle down to
business in earnest.
IN TOMLINSON HALL.
1t was found yesterday morning, when
miners and operators began TO gather in
the auditorium OF the Claypooi, that the
quarters were not nearly adequate to ac-
commodate the number. The hall would
not even hold the miners and il was neces-
sary TO forego the attempt at holding a
morning session. and the convention ad-
1ourned until afternoon, when operators
and miners convened in Tomiinson Hall.
About $50 operators were present. but they
stated that they were not ready to proceed
with business until the remaining coal men
arrived. They reached the hall about $50
o'clock. During the interim the convention
took a recess. and was amused with songs
and stories BY miners and operators. When
President Mitchell raped for order Frank
l.. Robbins arose and nominated Mr.. Mitch
ell as temporary chairman. G. l.. Scrogg
was chosen temporary secretary. Because
a number OF the late arrivals are on the
credentials committee, the convention could
not proceed with business. and it was there
fore necessary to adjourn until this morn
ing.
OPERATORS MEET.
Immediately following the adjournment OF
the convention the operators repaired TO the
= CIaypooI Hotel, where they held execu-
tive session. Although nothing definite was
decided upon, the talk of the meeting was
along the line OF a reduction. and it is un-
derstood the operators will make fight for
q scale lower than the one now in vogue
The general opinion of all the operators is
that TO pay the present scale or one en-
bodying an increase for another year will
not be a business transaction for the rea-
son that they will have to operate at very
near cost. 1t is argued that there is at
present a great supply of coal on the mar
ket which must be sold. while at the same
time the mines of Virginia are turning out
great quantities of coal at a price with
which the competitive States cannot COM
pete. The miners, one operator said, do not
look at the question from a business point
a a
wages In the Virginia fields, Ii Will be I'M
possible to keep the competitive wages up.
The miners organization has made re-
peated efforts at organizing the miners OF
Virginia and though successful in one part.
they have failed in the interior, where
the operators have cut prices and wages.
Eroro thesa facts II would seem that the
present conference will be of the
hardest fought battles the operators and
miners have had. Should it come to a
point where an agreement could not be
reached IL is probable that il would mean
the disruption OF the interstate movement
1t is not anticipated that the issue will
convert itself into a strike, although such
a thing Is possible II the operators deter
mine upon a reduction and the miners re-
fuse TO accept it.
CONTENTION FOR SCALE.
When the operators and miners convene
in Tomlinson Hall this morning there will
be little preliminary business at hand before
the demands for a new scale will be sub
mitted by both sides. The report of the
credentials committee will be perfunctory,
all delegates will be seated and the re-
port of the committee on rules and order
of business will require but few minutes
for disposal. At the short afternoon ses-
sion yesterday the operators and miners
of the different States announced their
committeeman as follows:
Rules and Order of Business-Indiana op-
orators. J. Smith Talley, of Terre Haute
and NJ l. Gould, of indianapolis; In
diana miners, Newton Cassidy, of Mont.
neIsy and James Gantwe Sse Of Sarbon
and A. J. Morehead, Of Chicago; Illinois
miners, George Bagwell, of Murphysyille
operators, A. Cunningham, of Cincinnati
and L. s. Newman; Ohio miners, Percy
Tetlow; OF Washingtonxille. and p J. Cor
tors. G. w Schulederberg and J. 7. NJ
miners. John McGinty, Of New Eagle 'siIic anc
John MallabOne of Lucyville
observation-disclosures operators II. c. Ad-
ans, w H. zimmerman, OF Brazil, and p
II. Hanna, Of Linton; Indiana miners, Lee
WiIiisn Houston' BLOCK. of IaSHie Braz fin6i. a9S
operators, W. S. Wilson, OF Pinck.
neville; and II. c.. Adams. of Chi.
Belleville, and Alex. Smith, OF Streator
Ohio operators. W. L. Davis and S A Nc.
aIanigal; Ohio miners. G w Savage. of Co
lumbus, and Robert Legg, of MasslOn
a.
and George MagoOn. of Pittsburg; PennsyI-
vania miners, Alex. Clark, OF MeadOWland
and William Smith, of Mcdonald
REPORTS TO-DAY.
The two committees had their report:
ready last night. but will submit them this
morning. The credentials committee report:
favorably on all the delegates and no hitch
viii be met here. The committee on rule.
and order Of business will report as follows
The hours OF the conference shall be
from . "a m. until 5 y. m. with n recess
from 10 20 o'clock The miners shall oc.
cupy the right side OF the hall and the
operators the left. Each State shall h.
permitted the same number OF votes on tbs
floor OF the concentrations votes on be.
half OF the operators and four on behalf ot
the miners No motion shall be carrief
except the Affirmative vote OF the miners
and the operators OF each State EacF
State shall have four operators and fou
miners the scale committee Sessions
will be open 10 the public except where
otherwise ordered The use OF tobacco vii
not BE- allowed in the hall
In the lobby OF the ClaypoOl last night the
operators were gathered In groups of two
and three discussing The situation thaf con.
fronts them. They refuse TO give out al
news OF definite nature, saying that they
cannot tell what VIII be agreed upon Frank
/ Robbins. leader on the Operators. refuses
10 talk concerning the demands OF the oper.
afors