Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-24
AT INDIANAPOLIS TODAY
Further Discussion of the Shot -Firers'
Law.
OPPOSITION AGAINST ROBBINS
Middle West Operators Refuse to Let
Him Dictate Wage Scale for
Eastern Field.

INDIANAPOLIS, March 24.-When the
joint scale committee Of the joint confer
ences OF coal operators and United Mine
Workers Of the central competitive and
southwestern districts met today there was
no indication that the opposing sides were
any nearer an agreement than when the
January conference adjourned after q dis
agreement.
The meeting of the committee of the CEN
trai competitive district began at 10 o'clock
1t was the understanding prior to the meet
ing that vote would be taken early on the
proposition Of F. L. Robbins of the western
Pennsylvania operators, to restore the scale
of 1903.
The operators of Illinois, Ohio and In
diana were as determined in their opposi-
tion to this proposition before, and an
nounced that they would defeat it, 1t was
expected that session of the joint con-
ference would be called during the day to
receive a report that the committee was
The course taken by the operators of
Illinois, Ohio and Indiana, however
changed the line Of action as it had been
expected to develop.
the Illinois operators at once insisted upon
further discussion OF the shot-firers' law,
and then took up the long standing dispute
over the differential.
They made the claim that If they were
permitted to enjoy differential of % cents
between pick and machine-mined lump coal
as Mr.. Robbins enjoyed in the Pennsyiva-
MIA field. they could afford to pay the
miners the advance of 1914 per cent orig
inally demanded by them They said the
ifllnois operators had only Z per cent df-
ferential and the Indiana operators a diff
1erential of II cents.
Refuse Robbins Suggestion.
The statement made yesterday was re-
tod
Indiana and Ohio would not allow Mr. Rob-
oins. with production of 2i.OO0, 600 tors
annually out Of total production of 12O,-
100000 tons. to dictate the wage scale for
the entire competitive field. The Ohio op-
orators repeated their position as outlined
by Mr.. j. B. Zerbe yesterday.
Mr.. Robbins announced his determine ton
TO maintain his position, and read tele-
gram from an Independent coal company of
5o0000 tons annually announcing its desire
to cooperate with Mr.. Robbins In paying
the advance
]. B. Winder, chairman of the operators
oHered a motion that the 1908 scale be paid
In western Pennsylvania and the present
scale be continued in the other three states.
Ihis motion was withdrawn before being
put TO vote.
A Recess Taken.
The representatives of the miners moved
that the scale committee adjourn until
Tuesday. Mr.. Robbins supported then. I'm
this motion. but 1t was defeated by the
Illinois, Ohio and Indiana operators as
was motion to adjourn until Monday. At
12 O'Clock the committee took a recess un-
I'll O'clock Nothing had been accom-
pi1shed toward reaching an agreement, and
the only thing decided was that there win
pc no session of the joint conference before
Monday or Tuesday.
The joint scale committee of the south
western district held brief session today
and took an indeterminate recess 1t Is
awaiting the action of the central COM
lpetitive district. and will base It's action
an the result In that district.