The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-02-02
Miners Take Steps to Raise 2 Strike Fund of $2,5OO,-
 900 Il Once
ONE MORE EFFORT WILL
 BE MADE THIS MORNING
Miners Will Not Sign Agreement In Any District Until Agreement Is Signed for All
 Districts.

Indianapolis, February 1.-The rejection of the counter proposition offered by the coal operators of the Central competitive districts by an almost unanimous vote Of the national convention of the United Mine Workers, and the adoption of reso- iutions introduced by Secretary W. D. Ryan of Illinois placing the miners on record as unit in refusing to sign an agreement for any district until an agree ment is signed for all districts, under the jurisdiction of the United Mine Work CTS, has created a situation which in the opinion of the officials of the miners organization will result In a disruption of the joint agreement and possibly one of the greatest strikes of organized labor the country has ever known.
 Puts It Up to Miners.
 During the afternoon action was taken at session of the United Mine Work CTS national convention which was called immediately following joint conference of operators and miners. during which the joint scale committee reported that 1t had been unable to reach an agree ment on any of the principal questions involved, and F. L. Robbins of Pittsburg, floor leader of the operators, had replied to President Mitchelrs question that the operators had no further proposition to lay before the miners. concluding his re- marks with the statement that if there was to be an interruption of the joint agreement, he wished the responsibility for such a severance Of relations to De placed on the miners.
 The counter proposition submitted by the operators which was said to be the ultimatum, provided for the signing for another year of the present wage scale with certain notifications to reimburse the Illinois operators for the expense incurred for the ''shot firers'' law now effective in that state.
 Provided for Big Strike Fund. Immediately following the rejection of the operators proposal the convention took steps to provide means for accu- mulating a strike fund of $2 900 in addition to a like amount now in deposit in the national district and sub-distriet treasuries of the miners organization. On motion of Delegate Burns the con vention adjourned until morning.
 Delegates who choose to do so left for their homes this evening. Others re- mained for the final session of the joint conference in the morning. This will be for the formal adjournment of the in tcrstate joint conference, the recess this afternoon having been taken to allow the miners convention to ratify or re- feet the report of the scale committee. In this last meeting lies the only hope. if hope can exist, for a settlement of the dispute.
 Joint Conference Held.
 The joint conference of miners and op- orators of the central district was called to order by Chairman Traer at 2:30 D. nn.. oft journed to meet tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock.
 President Mitchell asked the operators if they had any other proposition, and F. L. Robbins replied for the operators that they had not MT. Robbins added that the operators, while believing that present conditions justified a decrease in wages, would consent to a continuance of the present scale. He wished the public to know that the responsibility for any in terruption of the interstate agreement would be on .he miners.
 President Mitchell replied at some length. urging that conditions justified an increase and that present prosperity should be shared with the miners. "It seems that we have reached the parting of the ways he added.
 "As Mr. Robbins has stated that the onerators have no other proposition to make move that we adjourn till tomor- row morning..
 The motion carried ana the miners lIH- mediately went into session.
 w D. Ryan, chairman of the joint conference of the central district and secretary of the Illinois miners, reported to the miners convention the situation and moved to refuse the proposition of the operators. and that no agreement would be signed by any district unless an agreement was signed in all the dis tricts. and he added, ito win victory together, or together go down Tn de- feat"
 Patrick Dolan of Pennsylvania urged that the miners be cautious.
 An amendment was offered giving any district power to sign an agreement ln- dependent of the national organization. This was opposed by Vice President Lewis.
 Realizes Responsibility.
 President Mitchell took the floor and said:
 ''1rhere is no man who better appre- ciates the gravity of this question than myself and when you vote l want you to do 1t with the full appreciation of the responsibility that rests upon you.
 MT. Mitchell reiterated his belief that the miners would not sign scale at present wages, but said he wanted each individual to vote his own convictions. The amendment was defe ed by stand ing vote and the Ryr Tolution was unanimously adopte 'ck Dolan asked leave to be inst the resolution and VI -h misses some parts
 Secretary " efl ssiE
 M rA tsass War.
 fAcccf fr Understanding the
 opt'- fat tn means a strike
 faa MT. Wilson said that
 e national organization
 .ent in condition to take
 tire membership in long
 s le moved assessment per