New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-10-16
COAL STRIKE DYING HARD
OPERATORS BOUND TO COME TO TERMS
WITH MINERS, THE DEALERS SAY.
FRANCES BIG DEMANDS GIVE ASSURANCE
OF BETTER PRICES AND HAIR
MoNY IN THE SPRING.

Local coal dealers said yesterday that the
great strike is fast nearing an end and that
the miners would go back to work within a
week. The heads of the big coal carrying roads
said little to confirm such an opinion, but one Of
them, after being pressed for his own views, in
tmated that there would be a settlement in the
near future. Others laid the responsibility on
the doorstep of President Mitchell, saying that
he had not yet informed them officially of the
results Of the big Scranton convention. which
was held last Friday and Saturday and which
adopted the following TesoIu tons:
F'irst-That 10 per cent raise was acceptable
Second-Fhat the new wage schedule should re-
Third-That the sliding scale should be abolished
There was no conference of the heads of the
coal roads yesterday it was reported there
would be in early dispatches from the coal re-
gions. Many rumors in the air to the ef-
feet that q settlement had been reached but
they were without confirmation. One story which
like SNOWFALL rolling down HILL assumed con-
siderable proportions. was that gigantic coal
strike was planned for next April in which both
anthracite and bituminous coal miners would
combine for still higher wages. The hinge upon
which this story turned was the resolution men
toned as No. > that the new wage schedule as
demanded by the miners was only to obtain
until next April. at which time the agreement
between the soft coal mine operators and their
employees terminates 1t is said that should the
miners in both hard and soft coal mines unite
in declaring a strike. the paralysis that would
follow would put the miners in a place to die
tate terms short notice.
RETAIL DEALERS FORECAST.
A leading retail coal dealer. who had can
vassed the situation himself by calling yesterday
on the leading officials of the different coal
roads. said to a Tribune reporter:
This strike will end within four or five days
if not sooner No one knows this better than
the coal carrying railroad companies and the
operators. One reason these men are
going to accept the terms of the miners is the
tremendous power of public sentiment Fully
nine hundred and ninety mine people out of
a thousand who read of the resolutions of the
convention came to the immediate con-
clusion that those resolutions were fair and
wisely conservative.
Another reason that will bring the operators
to terms is the influence which led them to this
first concession of a 10 per cent raise I am not
speaking Of Mark Hanna. But we all know that
great political interests are at work TO end this
strike and these influences are strong enough
to bring about speedy settlement.
Il do not believe that a strike is threatened
FOR next spring. The miners want a guarantee
until April 1 for two reasons: First, the month !
which time winter prices annulled and
spring prices go into effect; second. April 1 is
he date of the termination of the agreement !
between the bituminOus coal operators and /
Miners and inasmuch as the union between |
he hard and soft coal miners organizations |
las now become complete it is desired that the !
wage agreements of both should be Identical in /
,ont of time.
SOFT COAL MINERS MAY ASK ADVANCE.
But a little while ago soft coal went up and
he operators were making good margin. Some
+ the more hot headed miners said: Now for
strike. We ought to have some Of this profit
But the union voted down such counsel and
here strike. Next April if prices
inue high. the soft coal miners may ask for an
dvance. but have every reason to believe that
heir demands Will be temperate and find ac-
eptance.
Indeed such harmony exists In the soft coal
usiness OF this country that the strict alliance
+ the anthracite interests with 1t will make
realty toward stability and goodwill.
Il believe there viii be no conference on the
art Of the operators or coal roads. A confer
nee and compromise would mean humiliation.
TO- they viii instead simply post notices on their
ollieries that the miners can go TO work on the
onditions demanded and the men will so back"
AT the Offices Of the Delaware and Hudson
airoad an official said; When the coal oper-
tors agreed to a 10 per cent advance they did
OF so notify the organization OF the miners.
hey simply posted notices at their colheries-
.trHr