Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-03-31
WHAT WILL IOWA DO /?
This Question Cannot Be Answered
Until the indianapolis Meeting Ends
Although the Miners and Operators
of the Hawkeye State Are in Session
at Des Moines.

through the news that the min
ers have endorsed the action OF
the scale committee is somewhat
indefinite, the indications are that
they have agreed to accept the Of
fer of Mr.. Robbins. president Of
the Pittsburg Coal Co, who wants
to keep his mines in operation
and to pay the 1903 scale, which
is wanted throughout the central
competitive district by the miners.
Mr.. Robbins, as is well known,
is supported by few Of the 9TH
er operators but is in the minor
Ity. However, with his mines
and those of the other operators
who side in with him, in opera
ton, there will be good chances
for a settlement with the other
operators on the same basis.
Trade conditions govern in
large measure the wage scale in
the production Of coal and the
miners, apparently, rely on this
fact to help them in swinging the
more obdurate operators into line.
Just what effect the action Of
the miners will have upon the
joint convention now in session
is hard to say, but If the actions
of the operators in the past can
be taken as a criterion there is
every possibility that the operat-
ors will experience split, part
of them agreeing to pay the 1903
scale and the remainder trying to
conduct their mines with non
union men.
Until the result of the joint
conference. at Indianapolis is
made known there is nothing by
which the situation in Iowa coal
mining. interests after April 1 can
be predicted,-..Ed.l
Des Moines, March 29.-Edwin
Perry-- .ary of the Iowa
branch of Nle Omitted Nine Work ]
ers of America, which, sQnyeneH
here today in joint conference
with the Iowa operators, stated
that unless orders to the contrary
are received from Indianapolis the
Iowa miners will go out at mid
night Saturday.
-
1t is estimated that from 600 to
700 coal miners are employed in
Wapello county and a strike of
considerable duration would have
a material effect on local business
conditions. A large number OF min
ers are also employed in adjoin-
ing counties, especially in Monroe,
Mahaska and Appanoose.
The manufacturing institutions
of Ottumwa as well as the rail-
roads have been storing coal for
several weeks and it is believed
that in event of a strike short
age would not be seriously felt for
sixty or ninety days. Prices on all
grades of coal have advanced dur
ing the past few days, partly ow-
ing to the bad. roads and partly
on account of the threatened
strike.
Indianapolis, Ind, March 29.-Whe
The national convention of the Unite
Mine Workers of America was Gale
TO order this morning motion Wa
that the action of the seal
committee be, endorsed. A delegat
asked how the scale of 1908, if adopte,
would affect the Illinois miners, so ia
as the shot firers' law is concerned an
replied that it was his unde
that the miners would M
waive their rights under that law b
agreeing to the 1903 scale with tn
same conditions.
The miners then adjourned to met
In joint conference with the operator
at o'clock this afternoon.
The joint conference did not CO.
vene until 2::30 O'clock. Presidel
Mitchel's motion as amended by Ro
adopted for period of two years, WE
4 -. Ill ! -