Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-03-22

scale. The action of Illinois is looked
upon as an indication that the opera.
tors from that state still are standing
! by the resolutions adopted three weeks
ago, when they decided to exact what
practically amounts to reduction in
wages from the miners.
In prefacing his motion Mr.. Winder
made brief reply to President Mitch
ellis address. He said:
when we met six weeks ago to dis.
cuss a new agreement the operators
considered well and long proposition
to be made to the miners. They felt,
in justice to themselves, under exist.
ing trade conditions, entitled to ask a
reduction in the cost of mining.
Knowing how difficult it would be
to convince the miners of the neces-
sity for reduction, finally they de-
cided upon a compromise, and offered
to renew the old scale. There were
no results. Since that adjournment
nothing has happened to cause any
change, and in speaking particularly
for Ohio l wish to say have sought
ways and means of making some other
proposition, but have failed"
Robbins Wins Point.
Three thousand miners, operators,
and spectators filled Tomlinson hall,
where the joint convention was held
yesterday afternoon. The first session
however, was short and devoid of the
spectacular except when Mr.. Robbins
unexpectedly made a motion sending
the entire wage question to the joint
scale committee.
Like a bolt from a clear sky the
strategy of the peace leader in seek
ing to cut off open debate in the con-
vention dawned upon the other opera
tors. Several mine owners from Indi-
ana and Illinois jumped to their feet.
They were ready to make radical
speeches demanding the miners show
their hand at once to determine if ne
gotiations might be prolonged on a
reasonable basis, or whether the con-
ference had better break up without
further parley.
Some of the more conservative oper-
ators, however, prevented scene.
The Indiana, Ohio and Illinois men
held short conferences and then
agreed to Robbins scheme. The min
ers acceded unanimously.
Slow Progress Predicted.
The scale committee is now in ses-
sion at the Claypool hotel to attempt
to reach some compromise and return
a report to the joint convention In
dications are the negotiations will pro-
coed slowly. This is said to be anoth-
er part Of the Robbins peace program
which contemplates the hope that a
few days more Of reflection augment
ed by strong pressure from the rail-
roads and other great corporation
forces will have the effect of bringing
the recalcitrant operators now stand
ing out into the peace camp.
Some idea of the task Robbins has
before him to accomplish this end
may be gathered from the temper of
the operators who form the opposi-
ton as displayed in the mine owners
meeting in the morning. For two
hours the Pittsburg operator was
placed on the grill, while rebuff after
rebuff to his plans were administered
in the hope Of breaking down his po-
sition. Each operator who believes
Robbins is playing a game with the
miners chief, and attempting through
politics and strategy to fasten an op-
pressive wage scale upon the employ
ers to save himself from particularly
ruinous strike took his turn in attack
ing him.
Robbins plan was to forestall debate
on the wage question untll after the
meeting with the miners. He encoun-
tered formidable opposition in this
scheme. Operators from Illinois, Ohio,
and Indiana insisted upon announcing
their positions regarding a wage ad
vance. When Robbins sought to di-
vert discussion he was frustrated.
When he endeavored to curtail it by,
proposing adjournment he promptly
was voted down.
Finally Mr.. Robbins walked to the
rear of the hall, and sitting down,
asked permission of the operators at
least to be permitted to smoke cigar
without opposition.
Delegates Go Uninstructed.
Robbins had one more fight on his
hands in this meeting and he won out.
He wished the delegates to get into
a joint conference with the miners,
uninstructed and unbounded by
pledges. A fusillade of objections were
raised. At length a resolution was put
through requiring every operator to de-
uHG exactly WuGI0 he SlOOu Will IGlSl-
ence to granting miners increased pay.
Everybody complied until Mr.. Robbins
was reached. He refused to acquiesce
in the request for statement. In the
midst of the uproar, besieged on all
sides to declare himself, the Pittsburg
operator, setting his jaw defiantly,
arose and left the hall. Fifteen min
utes later the resolution was repealed
and the delegates named without in
structions.
The first smile he has displayed was
worn by Mr. Robbins last night. Still
he refused to prophesy a peaceful out
come of the present negotiations.
Eve can only wait and see,' said he.
cit is not beyond hope of settlement"
Chairman Wildner declared his be-
lief that the negotiations will require
several days.
81 am in favor of settlement if
there is any possible way to arrive at
it," he said.