The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-29

<%%~+*%<>->-<-%%%-% Indianapolis, March 2S.-The joint con ference of the coal miners and operators of the central competitive district ad- iourned today until tomorrow at o'clock with no settlement of their wage differ ences reported and with none in prospect so far as any indications pointed.
 A motion to continue the present scale for two years made by the operators, was defeated by the solid vote of the miners. An amendment to President Mitchels motion to restore the scale of 1903, offered by F. L. Robbins of the Pennsylvania operators that 1t be made effective for two years, was accepted by MT. Mitchell, subject to the ratification of the national miners convention, which will meet tomorrow morning to consider the question.
 Day Given to Argument.
 This was the only action taken during the day. The rest was argument during the course of which great earnestness upon the part of the miners and both fac tions of the operators was shown. Presi- dent 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 it is absorbed by the railroads. He an- nounced that the miners would continue in the future to ask for more wages II the market justified, and stated positive ly that the miners would adhere to the de- mand for an increase at this time. Op- orators of Illinois, Indiana and Ohio snealxing through A. J. Moorhead of 1lll- nois, who said he thought Illinois should break away from the interstate agree ment H. N. Taylor of Illinois, R. R. Hammond, Chairman Winder and Secre- tary Bent of the Illinois miners reaff1rm- ed their refusal to pay any advance. F. l., Robbins of Pennsylvania offered to pay the advance asked, not only in the mines of the Pittsburg Coal company, but in his own mines in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Illinois, and urged the miners to sign the scale wherever it was offered, even though the mines of the other operators should lie idle. J. B. Zerbe appealed to the miners not to sign by districts, but to stand together.
 Hints Of Arbitration,
 There were a. number of suggestions and hints at an arbitration commission during the day. R. R. Hammond said the com plications of the coal situation would never be understood by the public until they had been examined by commission, and he was willing that the differences should be settled by a commission.
 w. D. Kuhn of the independent opera tors made refrence to possible commits sion appointed by the President. Presi- dent Mitchell said in one of his speeches: q want to ask the operators of the Pittsburg district if they are in accord with the suggestion as to an investigation. want to ask MT. Winder and the opera tors of Ohio. and I want to ask the oper- ators of Indiana if this proposed investi- gation contemplates an investigation as to the relative cost of producing coal Tn pick and machine mines."
 MT. J. H. Winder, chairman of the op- orators, replied:
 s'If there is to be an investigation upon which the price of mining is to be fixed, and the relative differences adjusted be- tween the various portions of the inter state fields, then I thing it would be proper to take into consideration all and any questions that are pertinent thereto
 Called to Order By Chairman.
 G. W Traer, the chairman, announced that the question was on the substitute motion offered by J. H. Winder, to re- affirm the present wage scale With con- ditions as they existed when that scale was adopted, the miners to pay the cost of mining. loading, shooting and timber ing. A. J. Moorehead of Illinois spoke first for the operators. He said operators would be pleased to pay the miners an increase in wages but 1t was business impossibllity at this time. You miners,' v said he have the advantage over us. You can combine and icentralize your voting power upon fixed object or de- sired action, but if the operators com bne we are threatened with the peniten- tiary. We could control the coal market and pay you higher wages If we could buy up all the coal mines, but unfortu- nately for you and for us we haven't the money to do it.
 T want to say,' continued MT Moore head that no operator will go farther than I will to meet our employees. We cannot control the markets. It is a com petitive condition beyond our power. It may be true that in some parts of the country western Pennsylvania for ip- stance, they may be able to pay an ad- vance, but I do know that in Illinois 1t is impossible"
 He said miners in the thick vein in H. linois could earn from eight to ten dol lars per day This statement was re- ceived with laughter by the miners which brought rebuke from the chair.
 But" said he, "a man in Illinois is not able to do the best he can for him. ~----~-------~~~~-----
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