Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-02-03

GAIN POINT
COAL MINE OWNERS AIDED BY
PENNSYLVANIA MINERS
PRESIDENT
Dolan, Head Of the Mine Workers In
Western Pennsylvania, Votes With
Operators to Continue Present Scale
In Central Competitive District for
the Coming Year.

indianapolis, Feb. 2.-The coal op-
orators and miners Of the central com
petitive and southwest districts, met
In joint conference today to finally
settle the question as to an agreement
If possible. F. L. Robbins, of Pitts
burg. moved that the present scale be
affirmed with the same prices and
conditions for the year beginning
April 1. Robbins is president Of the
operators and their spokesman.
The Operators UItimatum.
The counter proposition submitted
by the operators, which was said to be
their ultimatufn, provided for the sign
Ing for another year of the present
wage scale with certain notifications
to reimburse the Illinois operators for
expense incurred under the shot firers'
bill, now effective in that state.
Much enthusiasm was manifested In
the proceedings of the convention at
varions stages, but the most important
step was taken with all due gravity
and after mature consideration. Voices
were heard counseling further consul
tation with the operators, but these
same voices acknowledged that little
could be expected from such a confer
ence and declared their constituents
willing to abide by the verdict Of their
In convention.
Millions for Defense.
Immediately following the rejection
of the operators proposal the conven-
ton set about to provide means for
accommodating a strike fund of $6,500,-
900 in addition to a like amount now
son deposit in the international district
and the sub-district treasures of the
miners organizations
Moves Per Capita Tax.
The subject was brought up by Sec
retaryl Treasurer w. B. Wilson, who
said that in view of the fact, as he
believed, that the rejection of the op-
orators proposal means a strike or an
industrial war after April 1, he wished
to inform the delegates that the funds
of the international treasury could not
at present be depended upon to sus-
tain the miners in such gigantic
struggle. To provide for an emergen-
cy he moved that per capita tax Of
81 week BE- voted and that all dis
tricts take care of the dependent min
ers within their jurisdictions for at
least six weeks. He said after that
time he believed the international or
ganization would be in a position to
take care Of the miners. The motion
provoked considerable discussion and
after it had been amended to substi.
tute ten weeks for the six suggested
as the time during which the districts
should take care of their dependents,
the whole subject matter of the mo-
ton was, on motion of Secretary W.
ID. Ryan, Of Illinois, referred to inter
national executive board with power
to act. In putting the motion Mr..
Ryan remarked his belief that no good
could come Of the discussion of such
matters in open convention.
F. L, Robbins of the Pittsburg coal
company said. last night that the op-
orators would not recede from the ul-
timatum delivered to the miners in
the afternoon. If the miners are in
the same temper today the operators
will make no further proposals, the
only action remaining will be the for
NAL adjournment of the joint confer
Ience and later the same action will be
taken by>the convention Of the mine
workers.
What is Next Move?
The action of Dolan is somewhat of
a surprise and what is to be done at
this afternoons meeting is problem.
The rejection of the counter PROPOSE
tion offered by the coal operators of
Ethe central competitive district by an
almost unanimous vote of the nation
al convention of the United Mine
i Workers. and the adoption of a reso.
luton offered by Secretary Ryan of
Illinois, placing the miners on record
[Continued on Page 81