The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1906-02-02
MINERS DISAGREE.
Conference of Operators and Men
Ends in Confusion.

Indianapolis, Ind, Feb. 2.-The coal
operators and miners of the Central
and Southwest districts met here in
| joint conference today to finally set
tie the question as to whether an
agreement was possible. President
Mitchell announced that the miners
had refused to accept a continuance
of the present scale. F. l.. Robbins,
of Pittsburg, moved that the present
scale be affirmed with the same pric-
es and conditions for the year begin
ming April first next. A Taylor, Illi-
nois, operator moved an amendment,
which was the same proposition that
had been previously offered and re-
jected. The amendment was lost, the
operators and miners voting solidly.
Robbins then took the floor, and said
that he wanted the matter to go on
record, as it seemed that the future
of interstate movement was in peril.
Mitchell answered Robbins, and in
closing said: eve have come to the
parting of the ways, and it seems to
me that the only thing left to do is
to go home and there try to over
come these seemingly insurmountable
obstacles. We deeply regret the ne
cessity of such a step, but we feel
that the time has come when you can
give us an advance in wages without
damaging your property interests to
any considerable extent
E. H. Penna, an Indiana operator,
said: ct looks as though a split is
inevitable, and that the joint confer
ence movement has failed"
eff this institution has to break
up" he continued, land it has come
to the point that one party must con-
troll the mines of this country, that
party will be the party that owns
the property There will be hardships
but the owners of the property must
control it,
Vice President T. l.. Lewis, of the
Mine Workers Association, said the
miners realized that while the move
ment had been beneficial, they were
opposed to any proposition that
would deny a rightful wage scale.
"And if that is denied u.s. said he,
then the responsibility for industrial
war must rest where it belongs
The joint conference of coal min
ers and operators adjourned sine die
at 11:4O o'clock today, after the chair
had declared as lost motion by
F. L. Robbins, a Pittsburg operator,
that the present wage scale be con-
tinued Patrick Dolan, president of
the Pennsylvania Miners Union, vot-
ed for the miners of that district in
favor of the motion, which decided
it. unanimous vote was required.
There was considerable excitement
when Dolan voted "Yes,' and the
vote was challenged Dolan arose and
said: '1 have authority to cast the
vote for the Pennsylvania miners,
and until that right is taken from
me, 1 vote yes" There were cries of
NO" and Throw him out" Presi-
ton of miners had decided to refuse
the proposition just presented, and
said mo" Mr. Robbins said that the
miners had a right to vote by states
until the President of the Miners
Union assumed the position of dicta-
tor Mitchell said he assumed no
such position. There was further dis
pute as to Dolan's right to vote, but
the chair sustained the right, and the
motion was declared lost. The con-
ference adjourned in some confusion.
President Mitchell, of the Miners
at once called national convention
to meet at p.- m.