The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-03
OPERATORS STAND FIRM
IN DEMAND FOR DECREASE
OF WAGES OF THE MINERS
Subscale Committee, Two Miners
and Two Operators from Each
District, at Work.
TALK OF BREACH DENIED
w. S. Boyle, Indiana Operator,
Says This State VIII Stand
with Pennsylvania.
MAY BE NO AGREEMENT
In that Event Operators and
Miners Would Leave the City
Pending an Adjustment.
TALK OF BREACH DENIEI
MAY BE NO AGREEMENT

Renewed efforts were made yesterday
through the subscale committee to adjust
the wage differences now existing between
the operators and miners of Illinois, In
diana Ohio and western Pennsylvania. but
on adjournment late yesterday evening
there had been no agreement and the gen.
eral sentiment on both sides was that no
compromise will be reached at the present
joint conference. Two sessions of the sub
scale committee were held yesterday and
while some advance was made on the scale,
the situation remains practically the same
this morning as yesterday morning. Fail
ing to come to terms on the joint scale.
the subscale committee adjourned last night
to meet again with the regular scale COM
mittee at o'clock this morning
The fact that the operators refuse to re-
cede an inch from their demand for the
scale of 1900 places the next move in the
hands of the miners. If they decide to ac-
cept the demand of the operators for re-
duction of about II per cent. instead of Is
per cent, as first stated. an agreement will
be sealed without further controversy.
However, while the miners showed will
ingness TO forego their demands for run
of-mne basis and fat differential of
cent? they still maintain their stand
against the reduction asked for by the oper-
ators. From statements given out yester-
day by the miners it would appear that they
have no intention of returning to the scale
of 1900, but are willing to agree to some
compromise of the two demands. 1t Is eX
pected that to-day will decide the issue and
both miners and operators will know by
this evening whether a scale will be effect
ed or temporarily abandoned.
SUBSCALE COMMITTEE.
The subscale committee which handled
the scale question yesterday, consisted of
but one-half the regular committee. 1t
was comprised of two miners and two oper-
ators from each of the States of Illinois.
Indiana Ohio and western Pennsylvania
and these men supposed to be those
closest in touch with the existing condi-
tions of the coal mining industry in the
competitive regions. The following oper-
ators and miners constituted the committee:
Frank L. Robbins and G.. w. Schlueder-
berg, of the Pennsylvania operators; Pat
rick Dolan and William Dodds, of the Penn
sylvania miners
]. II. Winder and II. l. Chapman, of the
Ohio operators; w. III. Hasksns and d. II.
Sullivan of the Ohio miners.
w. s. Boyle and James McCleland, of
the Indiana operators, George HargrOVe
and William Wilson, of the Indiana miners.
H. n. Taylor and w. F. Lukins, of the
Illinois operators, and Thomas Reynolds
and w. ID. Ryan, of the Illinois miners.
There was some talk yesterday about the
miners going into executive session in order
to consider the situation. However, last
night President Mitchell stated that there
would be no caucus of the miners. Presi-
dent Mitchell refuses to make any state
ments as to his view OF the situation and
declares that at present he does not know
what the outcome of the controversy will
be. 1t is generally understood that unless
something unexpected turns up the miners
will make further concessions TO the
operators. When the convention is called
together later in the week it is certain that
the miners will vote Solidly against the
reduction demanded by the operators.
OPERATORS STAND SOLID.
On their side the operators are standing
solid. Although there has been some talk
of breach among the operators, IL was
stoutly denied last night W. S. Boyle and
James McClelland, both of the subscale
committee from Indiana, made the position
of their State clear. I'VE make no bones
about stating the position of the Indiana op-
orators in this fight" said Mr.. Boyle 1--WE
are not thinking of drawing apart for
minute, but will stand squarely for the re-
duction as set forth by the operators We
have got to have it or we cannot operate our
mines. 1t Is as essential that we get the
reduction it is that the Ohio and Penn
sylvania operators get it. Under existing
conditions we cannot continue mining coal
at the present scale and we do not intend
to recede from the demand. West Virginia
and MeyerSdale coal is coming into Indian
apolis and it is being burned on the very en-
gines that haul our coal from the mines
How can we expect to compete with these
CONTINUED ON PAGE 9, COL. 81