Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-03-20
COAL SCALE FIGHT
Operators and Miners viii Meet in Confer
ence This Morning,
DIVISION AMONG NINE PR0PRIET0RS
Much Opposition Develops to Mr. Robbins
Peace Program.
He RETlRES As LEADER OF THE FLOOR
], Il. Winder is Elected Chairman of Con-
ference Committee.
It RE1lRES As LEADER OF THE FLOOR
NINE WORKERS HOLD BRIEF SESSION
stanley Resolution Declaring that
All Contracts Must Ne ON Run
Of Mine Basis sent Go scale
Committee.

INDIANAPOLIS March lg.--That there
will be a second joint conference of the
coal operators and miners of the central
competitive district comprising the states
Of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and western
Pennsylvania. was definitely determined
this afternoon when the operators Of the
four states met in convention and adopted
n resolution setting forth their willingness
TO meet the representatives Of the United
Mine Workers. Subsequent arrangements
between ]. II. Winder the newly elected
chairman of the operators. and President
John Mitchell of the mine workers fixed
tho first session of the joint conference
for tomorrow at 10 o'clock.
Following the retirement Of r L. Rob
bins, president Of the Pittsburg Coal COM
pany, as chairman Of the operators and
the election of J. II. Winder Of Ohio as
his successor. resolution was adopted
providing that the operators Of the four
states should elect their own spokesmeh and
that there be no Official representatives
OF the -four states collectively, either in
joint convention or joint scale committee
When seen tonight f. L. Robbins refused
to make a statement regarding his reasons
for relinduishing the leadership Of the oper-
ators. His successor, Mr. wlnder, was
euss the attitude he will assume on the
floor of the joint convention, in antici-
patton OF the action taken by the operators
this afternoon looking to another joint
conference.
Miners appoint Committee.
The mine workers, through W, d. Ryan,
r. l.. Lewis Wellington O'Connor and
william Dodds, acting respectively for the
states Of Illinois, Ohio, Indiana and west
4. ern Pennsylvania, announced the appoint
ment Of the following members of the joint
scale committee who will act for the miners
union:
Illlnois-H. e. Perry. +. j. Reynolds, J.
II. Walker and W. ID. Ryan.
PennsylvanIa-Wi william Dodds William
little, James Clark and Frank Feelan.
Ohio--F II. Lewis, o. II. Green, Dennis
sullivan and George Savage,
Separate sessions Of the national con-
vention OF United Mine Workers and
operators ot ns tcntiai competitive dis
trict were held today. Beyond listening
10 an address by Mrs. Langdon OF Denver
on the Colorado situation and disposnr
OF a number OF resolutions, among which
was the Stanley resolution prohibiting th,
signing Of wage scales not providing foi
run of 1nine basis, the workers transacted
no business Of Importance
The operators organized by the election
OF J. II. Winder of Ohio as successor e
F. L. Robbins. retiring chairman Of tn,
operators. and the appointment of commit
tees after which a resolution expressing
the willingness Of tho operators to NEE
the representatives Of the miners In toin
conference was adopted.
The following committee on rules an,
order of business was appointed:
Indiana,-A. NJ Ogle and Phil Penna
Ohlo--L. Chapman and j. r. Zerbe.
Illinois-brank S. Peabody and f. 4
Western PennsyIvania-J w Schleuder
berg and George A. Magoon.
r. l.. Robbins and other operators VIII
are urging an agreement with the miner
are in favor Of conducting the negotiation
In the scale committee where they viii no
be open to the public. The ma jority Of tn
operators. however, who are opposed to Nj
Robbins peace program and who electe
Mr.. Winder TO succeed him as chalrma
want the night made on the floor of IN
convention. The claim is made that certal
railroad interests are standing firm again'
any Increase In wages. In the event OF
strike they could get fuel II Is said, fror
the nonunion miners OF Kentucky. We.
Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Southwestern Operators Meet.
The first meeting OF the operators
the southwestern district was held tn
afternoon At the Claypool hotel. Twenty
ive were present. The meeting was calle
to decide upon a line OF action TO be pui
sued in the joint conference with Ii
miners Of that district. Final action wi
not be taken until the operators Of II
central competitive field have reached
decision,