New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-29
COAL DEADLOCK HOLDS.
NEITHER SIDE WAVERS
Hints at 4rbitration-MitcheH and
Robbins Firm for Increase.

AEOCOtHo A ~ Ht 1Of n foNi NttoIs
Indianapolis. March 2s-The joint conference
OF the coal miners and operators OF the central
competitive district adjourned to-day until to-
morrow afternoon with no apparent settlement
o. the wage difference in prospect
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 NitchelTs motion TO restore the scale
OF 1903. offered by r. J. Robbins. Of the Penn
sylvania operators. To make the restored sched-
ule effective for two years. was accepted by Mr..
Mitchell subject 20 ratification by the national
convention. which y III meet tomorrow morn
ing 10 consider the question.
This was the only action taken during the day.
The rest was argument. during the course of
which great earuestness on the part of the
miners and both factions Of the operators was
shown President 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 il is absorbed
by the railroads. He announced that the miners
would continue in the future 10 ask for more
wages. II the market justified and stated posi-
lively that the miners would adhere TO the de-
Tuauds FOR an increase at this time.
There were number Of suggestions and hints
at an arbitration commission during the day.
+. r. Hammond said the complications of the
public until they had been examined by COM
mission. and he was willing that the differences
should be settled by a commission.
T. L. Robbins opened the debate. He said
he would rather have the 1903 scale for two
years than be compelled 10 stir up the country
next year over renewal Of the controversy and
So invite congressional action that was not
wanted
AR Robbins was applauded when he said the
miners were entitled 10 some Of the present pros
peri,y of the country. He said the burden Of
overuroduction belonged TO the operators and
should not be borne by the miners. He referred
10 the horrors Of industrial strikes and urged
the operators 20 withdraw from their position
a a business proposition.
He said Indianapolis was fun Of spies from
the uu0rganized fields aiding in securing strike
and Die did not purpose that these fields should
get the coal trade if he could prevent it, He
said the crisis was al hand and asked the
miners. whatever might be the final outcome. that
they remember their families and themselves
and in the interest Of organized labor agree TO
sign the advanced scale where offered. He said
the miners owed this to themselves, 10 fairness
and to The President Of the United States. His
remarks were apUlauded
j. b. Zerbe, an Ohio operator said he did not
believe there would be a long and bloody strike
He said DE did not believe the interstate agree
ment would De broken and the United Mine
Workers become disrupted.
O.. A. MaEoon. Of the Western Pennsylvania
independent operators, said he did not believe
that aa advance was justified. and the indie
pendent operators Of the Pittsburg district could
not pay the advance asked.
W =. Kuhn Of the independent operators of
Western Pennsylvania said the miners would
have 10 answer the question as 10 what are the
zeal conditions Of the coal trade, whether it be
10 the public OF TO a commission appointed by
the President of the United States. as the indie
pendent operators were firm in their position
THAI coal conditions did not warrant an increase
ia wages
Answering the arguments made against an
advance, 1r. Mitchell closed the debate with
the following statement:
The miners. 50 far as we are concerned, i'm
case rr a strike E.fl have no riots and no b1Sod-
shed We may, if d prolonged strike takes
place. have hunger and we may wear poorer
clothes. We may endure greater hardships. but
the miners are just as laWabding and just as
patriotic as are the gentlemen on your side.
Nr. Robbins. in his offer to pay the advance.
called the attention Of the other operators to the
fact that they had made no concessions. He
said
We have been able heretofore to come together
ana settle our own affairs without arbitration
ana without appealing 10 any one else So far
a l am concerned, I want to continue Upon
that basis. While we have established q Two
year proposition that worked against us during
me last iFo years IL is q right principle The
country SAol-a not be stirred up and we should
etoI- having provided for the strike have done
lt d absolutely true that the prices do NOT
justify an advance If you are going "a hasa II
simply o- that proposition. but I 90 believe we
race llls crisis With the shutting down of the
mines iu this country there WIN ne i prast fr
oustria suspension that is going 10 bring ff3rIfa
misery into the homes OF millions Of people and
cause setback 10 national prosperity that now
exists submit that from a business proposi-
ton The saving OF the immense strain and
strife cost IN money, blood and hunger. every
one who has been through strikes knows
Nr Robbins closed with an appeal to the
miners 10 sign the scale by districts wherever
the advance was offered