The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-02-03
55O,000 MINERS WILL LAY
 DOWN TOOLS APRIL
fcont.nued from First Paue.)


 face of all fairness. you yesterday met and repudiated a fair proposition. l want to go on record as protesting against such methods. Yesterday coal sold in Chicago at a dollar a ton carrying an 80 cent freight rate because the railroads were demanding the cars and yet you refuse to allow one district to sign an agree ment unless all sign.
 We propose 10 deal with our miners even handed with the same representa- ton on each side. We don't propose to have miners of other states with condi- tions entirely different from ours. dictate as to the settleaAnt Of our affairs in our district. Your seasorition adopted yes terday is absurd. D. title section up in Michigan could refuse a settlement and lie up the whole country. You have conference with the anthracite operators coming. If I were an anthracite operator would refuse to deal with you"
 President Mitchell Replies.
 President Mitchell took the floor in reply. He said.
 Ut is kind of MT. Robbins to say that we have presented no argument. We re- fuse to allow the operators to have the final say as to whether we have pre- sented any argument or not. We have shown that coal is selling at the mines at from 35 to 90 cents a ton higher than it was selling seven months ago. We showed this by their own circulars. We have shown by their circulars that the eondi- ton of the iron trade Is highly pros porous. The country is in the highest de- gree of prosperity Stocks and bonds are selling higher than ever before, and yeti notwithstanding this situation, we are asked to continue lower wage scale than we had two years ago, and Mir. Rob bins will remember that two years ago when we accepted a lower wage scale on account of an unfortunate situation ex- isting at that time, he promised that the reduction would be restored at the next conference"
 MT. Mitchell reiterated his arguments for an increase in wages which he had previously used in the joint conference and in closing, said:
 "We have come to the parting of the ways, and 1t seem to be the only thing left to do, is 10 go home and there try to overcome the seemingly insur- mountable obstacles. We deeply regret the necessity for such a step, but we feel the time has come when you can give us an advance in wages without damaging your property interests to any considerable extent
 Owners Must Control Property.
 Mr. Penna, an Indiana operator, argued the wage question from figures on pro ductIon and the selling price of coal. The production of Indiana coal, he said. had decreased from to 9 per cent during the past year.
 of this institution has to break up," lie said "and 1t has come to the point that one party must control the coal 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, said the miners realized that while the movement had been beneficial they were opposed to any proposition that would deny a rightful wage scale And if that is denied us," he said, "then the responsibility for an industrial war must rest where it belongs
 MT. Lewis, answering the charges made by r. L. Robbins, that the action taken by the miners convention yesterday that no one should sign until they all signed, was an unlawful combination, said:
 "We own and control our own labor and we have the right to sell 1t indiyidu- ally or collectively to the highest bid der"
 l. H. Winder. an Ohio operator. said he admitted the prosperity of the country, but he denied the prosperity of the coal industry on the central competitive dis- trict.
 Has Caused Over Production.
 II. N. Taylor of Illinois claimed that an entrance of capital into the coal business had caused an over producing capacity that had seriously affected the interests of the operators and miners. T do not believe with MT. Mitchell" said he, that this is the parting. 1 believe you men have sense enough to believe us when we come to you with facts You don't want to destroy this interstate agreement and go back eight yea1s. It takes long time to build up such an institution as this movement for joint conferences. When conditions warrant we will give you in- creased wages and we will do It gladly, but the time has not come and we can't do 1t now.''
 Herman Perry, president of the Illinois