The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-03-29
Proposition to Restore Wages
of 1908 for Two Years.
MADE By EMPLOYERS.
Will Be Considered by Other Side
in Full Convention.
Suggestions and Hints Of an
Arbitration Commission.

Indianapolis, Ind, March 29--IAe
joint conference of the coal miners
and operators of the central competl-
tive district adjourned until 2 O'Clock
today with no settlement of the wage
differences reached and apparently
with none in prospect.
A motion to continue the present
scale for two years, made by the ope-
rators was defeated by the solid vote
OF the miners. An amendment 10
President MitcheHs motion TO restore
the scale of 1903 offered by F. L. Rob
bins of the Pennsylvania operators
that it be made effective for two
years, was accepted by Mr.. Mitchell.
subject to ratification by the national
miners convention which will meet to
consider the question.
President Mitchell charged that
many coal companies are owned BY
railroads and the profit on coal is not
indicated by the books of the coal
companies as much of ft is absorbed
by the railroads He announced the
miners would continue IN the fuuurs
to ask for more wages if the market
justified and stated positively that the
miners would adhere to their demand
for an increase at this time
F. l. Robbins of Pennsylvania Of
fered to pay the advance asked not
only in the mines of the PittsburT
In Pennsylvania. Ohio and Illinois.
and urged the miners to sign the
scale wherever it was offered even
though the mines of the other ope-
ratOrs should lie idle.
There were a number of sugres-
tions and hints at an arbitration COM
mission w. D. Kuhn of the fntse-
pendent operators made reference 70
a possible commission to be appointed
by the president President Mitchell
! said in one his anaaoFze-
- want to ask the operators Of the
FlItsburg district If they are In accord
with the suggestion as to an investiza-
tion2 I want to ask Mr.. Winder ard
the operators OF Ohio and want 10
ask the operators OF Indiana II this
proposed investigation cOnteupiates an
lnVes ugation as 60 relative cost of pro-
dueuon OF coal in pick and machine
J. r Winder, chairman Of the opera
/ tors replied.
IF there is to be an Investigation
+ uT On which the price of mining IS TO
/ be fixed and the relative differences adj
+ justed between the various portions Of
/ the interstate movement. then I think
It would be proper to take into c0n-
sfderation all and any questions that
are pertinent thereto
/ Answering the argument made DUR
ing the day against an advance. 1lr.
/ Mitchell closed the debate with the fol-
+ lowing statement; "The miners so far
as we are concerned, in case Of a
strike viii have NJ riots and no blood
! shed. We may. If prolonged -s-+1-e
t takes place, have hunger, and We may
wear poorer clothes. We may endure
i greater hardships, but the miners are
/ just as lawabiding and just as patriot
i ic as are the gentlemen on your side
Preparing to Strike.
Des Moines. Ia. March 29.-In an
ticipation of a strike April l. the visi-
hle supply of coal in Des Moines and
Iowa has been absorbed by railroads
and factories to the extent that not a
pound of commercial coal can be had
at any price. No orders for coal are
taken by dealers at any price and
I orbitant prices. Not an additional
pound of powder is being purchased
by the miners who are evidently pre-
pairing to go out as soon as the pres-
ent supply is exhausted
Waiting ON Indianapolis.
Des Moines. Ia. March 29.-Edwin
Perry secretary of District No. 13, Iowa
/ United Mine Workers Of America. which
/ convened here today. stated that unless
/ orders to the contrary were received
/ from Indianapolis the Iowa miners
would go out at midnight Saturday
night
Il sincerely hope that we viii receive
/ orders to continue" said Mr.. Perry II
/ can not help but believe that a settle
ment viii be effected at Indianapolis al
though 1t would seem that great q
stacles are to be overcome in the event
a settlement Is made"
The meeting here today Is for the pur-
pose Of ratifying the action taken at
/ Indianapolis.