The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1900-10-05
SCHEME IS A FAILURE
Readings Proposition to the Min
ers Falls Flat, and Is
Entirely ignored.
OTHER OPERATORS POST NOTICES
Less Liberal Than That CT the Read.
ing Statement of What the
Men Will Accept.

HaZletOn, Pa, oct. 2.-AItnOuSn the
labor leaders positively said they did
not fear a break in the ranks of the
anthracite coal strikers, they were new
ertheless pleased to learn that the 10
per cent. advance granted by the Phil
adelphia and Reading Coal and Iron
company in the Schukill valley, was
totally ignored by the striking mine
workers yesterday. 1t was predicted
that many of the strikers would return
to work under the belief that the 10
per cent. increase would be the limit
of the operators concessions, but the
unanimi ~ of the men in deciding to
stand out for a further advance caused
many remarks of surprise.
Another Offer of Coal Operators.
Wilkesbarre, Pa, Oct. 2.-The coal
operators of the Wyoming Lackawan-
ma and Lehigh valley regions held an
important meeting in this city yester-
day afternoon and decided to offer the
miners an increase Of 10 per cent. in
wages and also to reduce the cost OF
powder to the miners from $2.7o to
$3.50 per keg. W. A. Lathrop, general
superintendent of the Lehigh Valley
COIIpdhSs plSoluCu, dLN ChC LdSSeiiiS
was largely attended. The whole sit
uationwas thoroughly discussed, near
ly all those present taking part there
in. The powder question was the chief
subject of debate, and next came the
recognition of the union. So far as
can be learned none of the operators
were in favor of recognizing the union
in any way. The meeting lasted from
2 until p. m.
Proposition That Is Made.
Last evening w. A. LathrOp, the
chairman of the meeting, gave out the
following from the Lehigh Valley Coal
company:
Notice:-This company makes the
following announcement to its mine
employees: twill adjust it's rates of
wages so as to pay to it's mine EN-
Dloyes on and after Oct. 1, net in
crease of 10 per cent. on the wages
heretofore received, and will take up
with it's mine employees any grievances
which they may have.
"NOte.-It is understood in the fore
going that powder will be sold to min
ers for $3.50 per key, and that the diff
ference between this rate and the old
rate Of $2.75 shall be taken into ac-
count III Hgurlng the net advance OF 10
per cent. noted above for this class
of labor
Strikers VIII Not Accept.
Similar notices to the above will be
posted by all the other companies rep
resented at the meeting. The strik-
ers say that under no circumstances
will they accept the offer. They claim
it is not as good an offer as the Read
ing company made to it's men. The
union is ignored and the net increase
must come out of the price of powder.
EN-. Palmer, chairman Of the press
| committee at United Mine Workers
headquarters, said: 1.-THE men will
not return to work under such condi-
lions. 1t is not fair offer" The op-
orators will make no further move un-
til they hear from the men.
Operator Who Retains His Hone
prominent operator said last night
that when the strikers come to exam
inc the notice posted they would re-
celve it more favOrably. A 10 per cent.
net increase is ganted all employees
outside of the miners, and with powder
reduced to $3.50 a keg the miner will
earn Ia month 10 per cent. increase.