The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-03-06
ULTIMATUM OF OPERATORS. Big Strike Of Miners May
 fok 4 .corrsRHrs AT AN END
  Miners Wn Vote On Propo- sltl!s' of Reduction, President Mitchell of Opinion That the Men will Lay Down Tools,
 Though Breach May
 be. Healed.

Indianapoiis, March 5.-The joint com ference between the coal miners and operators of the central competitive, dis trict adjourned today without reaching an agreement as to the scale of wages for the year commencing April 1.
 The operators Zare leaving for their homes. The 800 miners delegates here will meet Monday. when 1t is announced statement of the position of the miners will be given to the public.
 The final disagreement and adjourn ment came after a day devoted to con- sfderation of the ultimatum of the operators which was that a two year scale be signed at reduction of five and half per cent from the present scale. This had been made to the joint sub scale committee which today reported it to the joint scale committee. which in turn reported 1t to the joint conference.
 Addresses urging the acceptance of the position were made by leading operators They insisted that present conditions in the country necessftated some concession by the miners. They announced that this was the uitimatum of the operators, and they expressed the hope that there would be an amicable settlement.
 Operators Withdraw.
 The miners asked for a convention of their own and the operators withdrew In the executive session of the miners President Mitchell. Vice President Lewis. Secretary Wilson of the national organi- zation. and many of the district officers, advised the acceptance of the operators proposition. In~reply many of the dele- gates announced that they were bound by instructions and could not vote for reduction.
 A test rising vote was taken and it was seen by the National offlcers that the delegates were not ready to follow their advice. The executive session was adjourned and joint conference was asked for The joint conferences was held at 4:30. Nearly every iaAiper and opera tor was in his seat, Without preliminary. Chairman Kolsen asked if the c0nveE- ton vas ready for voteE Both sidss replying In the ajrn1AtlRes the question was put on the acceptance of the propo- sition made by the operators There was 4 tie vote. The miners voting by States cast four votes against acceptance. 1t was also tic and the question was lost.
 Before the announcing of the result. President Mitchell moved that there be a postponement of the final vote. Tais carried.
 Miners Bound By Locals.
 A meeting of the joint sub-scale conl- mittee was agreed upon. This commit tee was in session but a few minutes. The operators announced they had noth- ing to offer, and the miners insisted to President Mitchell that they were bogod by instructions and could not accept reduction.
 After being in session few minutes, the members of the sub-scale committee filed into the convention hall. Mir. R0O- bins at once moved that the convention adjourn sine die. President Mitchell ses- onded the motion which carried. Theie was intense though suppressed excite ment in the hall and the meeting ad- journed.
 It is stated tonight that the proposition to strike will be referred to a referen- dunn vote of the miners of the four States forming the competitive district. This action may be ordered by the miners in convention Monday morning. If the To- calls vote against accepting the proposi- tion, operators say a strike is inevitable. as they will not make further conces- sions. Opinion among the miners to- night was divided.
 Expressions were frequently heard that a mistake had been made in allowing the miners from districts outside the competitive district 10 vote in the miners convention on the proposition of the op- orators. They voted almost unanimously against its acceptance. Many operators said the interstate movement had been dissolved.
 President Mitchell said tonight: ",rhe adjournment of the convention means practically the disruption of our State movement and points strongly toward 8 strike in the competitive districts April 1. Of course something may come up in the meantime by which we can get together and heal the breach.