Daily Kennebec journal., 1906-03-28
viii They Take Respon-
sibiIity Of a Strike?
Most Of Independent Men Are
Willing to Continue.
Pres. Mitchell Of Miners Makes Straight
Talk to The Operators.


Gus coal operators of Illinois. Indiana,
Ohio and Western Pennsylvania today
reported Il disagreement to the joint
conference OF the central competitive
district and after a session of three
hours the conference adjourned to
meet tomorrow morning at . O'clock.
The discussions and arguments pre-
sented during the afternoon establish
cd the fact, that SO far as indications
can determine. the opposing sides are
no nearer to Il wage agreement than
they We're in January when the first
conference was held. The present
wage scal2 viii expire Saturday and
unless an agreement is reached before
its expiration 225,000 miners in the
four stateS will be called from the
mines.
President Mitchell, of the miners,
Crened the discussion in the joint con-
ference after there had been a silence
Of 10 minutes, during which each side
w;;s waiting for the other TO make the
first move. fic said:
Mr.. Chairman, it was my eXpccta-
ton when we convened here this af-
iCrnoon that some proposition looking
TO an adjustment of our difficulties
would bc submitted by the operators.
II is evident that they have not agreed
among themselves to submit for the
consideration of this convention any
proposition looking to an adjustment
Of our relations. Everyone here who
has heard the report read by the sec
rotary OF the joint scale committee
will know that the miners parties to
that joint scale conference have gone
out of their way, have even assumed
authority not vested upon them by the
miners convention to meet the grave
and full responsibilities placed on
them. not only as miners. but as coun-
trymen and citizens by the request and
suggestion of the President of our
country. And it will become evident
from the votes reported here by at
least four of the states, who must, and
who rightfully shall, assume the re-
srcnsibiiity for 4 disagreement If no
settlement is reached.
"Onc state, one large producing
state, has came in here and voted for
q restoration OF the wage scale of 1903
That state has not only voted it's en-
| tire production, but it has announced
| in addition thereto, the intention to
vote its mines in Ohio and Illinois in
| favor of an increase in wages.
1T seems to me that instead of sit
| ting quietly, the gentlemen from the
operators side ought to say something
| in defence of their position. And ac-
ccrting all the responsibilities that
may come to me personally without
consultation with tie gentlemen who
employ me, | want to offer for the con-
sideration Of this convention a motion
that as basis of settlement there be
a restoration of the scale, the mining
scale and the day wage scale and the
dead work scalc of 1903"
j. II. Windcr, chairman of the oper-
ators, offered as 4 substitute a motion
to adopt tie present scale with all con-
ditions existing at tEo time of its
adoption with the mining rate at Dan
vile, Ill. for Il base and to include all
cost of shoe ting, loading, tinsbcrng and
inspection of shots.
After a number of speeches by
prominent eXponents of each side,
Phil Penna of the Indiana operators,
in speech suggested the settlement
Of the differences by arbitration. He
outlined no definite plan, however, and
his suggestion was not further dis
cussed
An adjournment until tomorrow was
taken without II vote OH any PROPOSE
ton having been taken during the af-
tcrnoon.
Frank Mckenua, ono Of the western
Pennsylvania district miners board
members, said before the meeting of
the conference:
fh" men will go to work in the
llttsburS district. AS soon as Robbins
OF any one else meets our demand. we
Will work The state constabulary
! c"nnot keep the men from going to
work.
Mr. Robbins said this afternoon: 81
sAail go before the miners and again
oler them the 1903 scale | shall de-
lnahd that they operate my mines. I
nave met their demands. They will
not dare to decline because some of the
miners ou5 in Indiana, Illinois and the
West say mo-"
George "A. Magoon, leader OF tie
western Pennsylvania independents,
Sdiu' Ne VIII have to operate to pro-
lect our markets and hold our men"
president Dennis Sullivan of the
ONO Miners. said: "yye shall have
| niue trouble in our state. 1t will not
hc necessary for the operators to post
| guards The miners will protect their
| property. We have been friends for a
ioi'S una, and though we differ on this
| proposition, we will still seek to de-
SerFe me good Will of our opponents"
1