The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1906-03-31
COAL STRIKE
IN FOUR STATES
IS PR 0BABLE
Joint Scale Committee of the
Bitumious Operators Of H.
linois, Indiana, Ohio and
Western Pennsylvania Re-
ports Disagreement. -.
Present. Wage Scale Expires
Saturday, and Unless Settle
ment Is Reached Before
Weeks End, 225,000 Miners
May Cease Work.

INDIANAPOLIS, March 27.-The
joint scale committee of the bituminous
coal operators of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio
and western Pennsylvania today re-
ported disagreement to the joint con-
ference of the central competitive dis
tr1ct and after a session Of three hours
the conference adjourned till tomorrow
morning without taking definite &C
ton.
The discussions and arguments show
ed no change in the situation and es-
tablished the fact that so far as indica-
lions can determine, the opposing sides
are no nearer a wage agreement than
they were in January. The present
scale will expire Saturday and unless
an agreement is reached before noon
the $4,000 miners in the four states
may be called from the mines.
Mitchell Opens Discussion.
President Mitchell of the miners OPP
ened the discussion in the joint con-
ference after there had been a silence
Of ten minutes during which each side
was waiting for the other to make the
first move. He said:a
"Mr. Chairman: It was my expec-
tatlOn when we convened here this af-
ternoon that some proposition looking
to an adjournment of the difficulties
would be submitted by the operators 1t
is evident that they have not agreed
among themselves to submit for the
consideration Of this convention any
proposition looking to settlement or
adjustment of our relations. Everyone
here who has heard the report of the
joint scale committee will know that
the miners parties to that joint scale
conference, have gone out Of their
vested in them by, the miners conven-
ton, to meet the grave and full re-
sponsibilities placed upon them not only
as miners but as cOuntrymen and citi-
zens by the request Of the president
Of our country. And it will become
evident from the votes reported here
by at least four Of the states, who must
and who rightfully shall, assume the
responsibility for a disagreement, if no
settlement is made.
One State Favors Increase.
"One state. one large producing state,
has voted for a restoration of the wage
scale of 1908. That state has not only
voted it's entire production, but it has
announced in addition thereto the in
tention to vote its mines in Ohio and in
Illinois In favor of an increase in wages.
1t seems to me that, instead of sitting
quietly, the gentlemen from the opera -
tors side ought to say something in
defense OF their position. And accept
Ing all the responsibilities that NAV
come to me personally, without con-
sultation with the gentlemen who en-
ploy me, want to offer for the con-
sideration and I hope the favorable
consideration Of this convention. a mo-
ton that as a basis of settlement there
be a restoration of the scale, the min
ing scale and the day wage scale and
the dead work scale Of 1903"
Offers Substitute Motion,
j. H. Winder, chairman of the oner-
ators, offered as substitute a motion
TO adopt the present scale with all con-
dlt1ons existing at the time Of it's adop
ton with the mining rate at Danvilie
ILL.,, for base, and to include all cost