Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-03-30
STRIKE IS IMMINENT.
Conference Adjourns Sine Die
 Without Agreement.
ANTHRACITE MINERS ORDERED OUT
'. H. Winder, In Moving to Close Conference, Said He Was Convinc- eA No Settlement Was Pos
 sible It Praaent.

lNDIANAPOLlS, Ind., March 3O.- Without agreement on wage scale the joint conference of bituminous coal operators and miners of the central competitive district adjourned sine die, leaving affairs in such condition that strike of from 178OO0 to 384,5 800 soft coal miners, besides 1500OO anthracite miners ordered out, seems inevitable on April 1, the present wage scale ex- piring on March 31. Tbe miners di- rectly affected are in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and western Pennsylvania.
 Miners and operators of the south western district, comprised of Mis- souri, Kansas. Texas. Arkansas, Okla homa and Indian Territory, have de cided to report disagreement
 The Iowa miners have agreed with the operators to suspend work for six ty days. Michigan, West Virginia and Kentucky miners, it is said, will follow the lead of the central district
 The operators of the western bitu- minous district have called on Presi- dent Roosevelt to appoint commis- ssion to investigate the situation.
 The conference defeated the motion to restore the wage scale of 1903 for two years. Operators from Illinois, Ohio and Indiana voted No" West srn Pennsylvania operators and the miners of the four states voted Yes"
 During the session MT. Mitchell said he had some things he wanted to say. He wanted to know If MT. Parker was not president of the Madison Coal company and purchasing fuel agent of the Illinois Central Railroad company.
 MT. Parker said he was sorry the discussion was getting into personali- ties. He said while he held both posi- tions there was no relation between them. Turning to MT. Mitchell, he said:
 There was a time when you were glad I was an officer of the railroad"
 What do you mean by that state pent" demanded Mir. Mitchell.
 q have issued free transportation on your account" answered Mir. Parker.
 Mfr. Mitchell strenuously denied this charge and demanded that the state ment be withdrawn. Mr. Parker said he could substantiate it, and Mir. Mitchell said he had never ridden a mile on railroad without paying full fare. He, said Mir. Parker's statement was untrue, and he defied him to prove 1t. He said he had never been under any obligations personally to any oper- ator or railroad. The chair interfered and endeavored to stop the discussion.
 Mir. Mitchell said the debate should not be closed until either the charge was withdrawn or his reputation was vindicated.
 William D. Ryan of the miners or ganization said he could explain. He said young woman at Spring Valley. H., who lived with Mrs. Mitchell. had been given transportation to visit her parents. @@
 T am responsible for that" said Mir. Ryan. q asked for the transportation, and Mir. Mitchell did not know it."
 Mir. Mitchell added that he knew nothing about it. and Mir. Parker with drew his remarks.
 Captain Thomas of the Pennsylvania operators defined his position as an in- dependent operator and said he came to the convention in the belief that the miners would accept the present scale. He said he represented 100000 tons of Hooking coal. Turning to the op- orators, he said:
 "I advocated the present scale six weeks ago, and I was honest. I now advocate the payment of the advanced scale. and I am. honest. am convinc- ed that we must pay the advance or the miners will strike. I have been through great strikes. Some of you don't know what a strike means Some of you sitting there will be destroyed by q strike. It is not a question of profit. I appeal to you operators to pay this advance"
 Mir. winder. in making a motion to adjourn sine die. said: Tt seems to me we have reached the limit of discus sion upon the question of the wage scale for the ensuing year. If felt that anything further could be accom- pllshsd by holding this convention long CT would be glad to have 1t done. but I see no possible hope of accomplish ing anything at this time.-
 The anthracite miners scale commit