Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-04-10

& .MF
Pittsburg. April 7.--Reports from
the Irwin field are to the effect that
many OF the miners who, striking for
recognition of the union, are dis
courased and preparing to return to
work.
interest In Meeting.
Philadelphia, Pa, April 7.-Much
Importance Is attached to the meeting
OF independent operators held yester-
day in Wilkesharre. Among the mine
workers the impression appears to be
growing that President Mitchell's arbi-
tratSen proposition is not altogether &C.
'ceptable to the operators and the fear
is expressed that II may be rejected
when the conferees meet in New York
next Monday.
Nothing was made public concerning
the meeting Of the independent opera
tors, but Immediately after adjourn
ment ]. L. Cake, one Of the operators
subcommittee OF seven. who was pres.
emit, returned to New York. 1t is gem
.errlly believed that the meeting was
held to determine tht exact position Of
all OF the Independent operators with
regard to Mr.. MitchelPs proposition
and that Mr.. Cake will inform the sub
committee as to the stand taken by
the independents.
Railway Supply Short.
Webster City. April 7,--(special.)-
The northern Iowa division of the
Northwestern railroad now has but
fifteen days supply Of coal on hand.
Switch engines have been taken Oft
and only live freight is now being
moved.
Iowa Situation Unchanged.
Des Moines, April 7.-(special.)-
conference until next Tuesday leaves
the situation In this state unchanged.
During adjournment both sides will
consult among themselves and the
miners will ask further authority from
their national organization.
The operators gained the floor yes
terday and devoted much time to the
discussion of changes they will ask
for in the resolutions accompanying
the scale. The principal topic was
that Of penalizing miners participat-
Ing in local suspensions and shut
downs.
Senator Waterman for the operators
offered a resolution which was in sub
stance an amendment to resolution No.
19 Of the 1904 scale. The old resolu-
ton provided that all miners partici-
pating in local strikes, shutdowns or
suspensions, pending q decision Of
questions in dispute, and the granting
of authority go to do by the accredited
officers Of their respective orgapiza-
tions, should be penalized by a fine Of
30 cents per day far each day Of the
suspension, and that this SUM should
be deducted from their pay and re-
mitted to the treasurer Of the district
organization. Senator Waterman's res
olutinn provided that this fine should
be 81 a day and that 1t should be paid
to the treasurer Of the Iowa Operators
association,
Out Of lts Order.
President White, for the miners,
moved as q substitute that the motion
be taken up and considered In its reg
ular routine. In explanation of his mo-
ton he stated that 1t Is the practice
In all Joint conferences to take up the
basis OF scale prices and determine
that first and then proceed to the adop-
ton or consideration of resolutions in
their numerical order.
Senator Waterman argued that 1t
would be easier to agree to a scale II
the operators understood first what
protection they are to have against
local shutdowns and suspensions.
which they claim have resulted in
heavy loss to them in the past, and In
timated rather broadly that the opera
tors will not consider a scale at all
until this much mooted question is dis
posed Of.
Mr.. White replied that the miners
had already determined upon meas
ures that they believe will prevent
shutdowns in the future, but he did
not say what they were. He said it
would be time enough for them to dis
cuss the question when reached in the
routine, and he was rather positive in
the statement that a restoration of the
1909 scale with an advance Of 5.55 per
cent to the men who we're not affect
ed by the reduction taken in 1904 is
the only basis on which the miners
will deal.
Operators Indicate Their Policy.
The operators We're rather pro.
ppuneed In their replies to this declar-
alton, stating that they had already
gone on record as opposed to the
granting OF the 1903 scale, and that
they Weuld Insist upon the price to be
paid far the several classes Of labor
being taken UP one at q tine, and de-
tsrHllned With reference to conditions
as they exist In the mines OF the sew
erai districts, and the conditions now
governing the trade In Iowa, and not
on q basis Of conditions existing In
1908.
Miners Are Positive
The ppshot Of 1t all was that the
White substitute was carried and Sem
atnr Wafarrnan,s motion declared LOST