New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-10-10
THE MINERS CONVENTION
THERE MAY BE DELAY IN SETTLING
THE STRIKE
CONSIDERABLE DISSATISFACTION EX-
PRESSED WITH THE OFFER OF
INCREASED WAGES.


PRESSED WITH THE OFFER OF
INCREASED WAGES.
ley TELEGRAPH To THE rRIBrNE.l
Pottsville Penn. Oct 9.-Three occurrences or
to-day increased the interest in the anthracite
miners strike in the lower coal belt. The hrst
some indications of coming trouble in the
attempt to end the struggle; the second, the
strong efforts to close the mines in the Panther
Creek Valley. and the third, the great turnou'
of miners In Shamokin this afternoon. Those
most conversant with the situation admit that
II will take diplomat to get next Fridays con-
vention to agree to the offer Of the coal COM
panes AS the miners study the offer OF the
coal carrying companies more closely they are
changing their minds The price OF powder was
So rs. Now it is TO he 81 50. The difference
81 %, however, is to be deducted from the net
increase of 10 per cent in wages. so that the
miners think they will not get 10 per cent. If
the miner is to pay his helper portion of the
10 per cent it will still further cut down the
increase so that little will be left after ALL The
increase is offered only to the miners in the up
per coal territory. but the Reading company
offers 10 per cent to all employees. In contirma-
ton OF the above statement. the following ex-
tract from the notices of a number of coal COM
panes to their employees is quoted:
1t is understood in the foregoing that powder
will be sold to the miners Tor III ~ per keS,
that the difference between this and the old rate
shall be taken into account in figuring the net
advance of 10 per cent noted above for the class
of work.
DELEGATES RECEIVE INSTRUCTIONS.
The Shenandoah delegates TO the convention
received their final instructions to-day. Not
one Of them will vote contrary to these instruc-
tions. At the meeting of two Of the local unions
of the United Mine Workers at Shenandoah it
yvoc decided 10 demand that the sliding scale,
the 50 10 basis should be abolished before the
strike is declared at end. The delegates to
the Scranton convention were so instructed
Many of the delegates from Schuylkill declare
that before complete agreement is reached be-
tween the operators and the miners joint con-
ference must be held at which the sliding scale,
dockage, semi-monthly pay and other grievances
must be adjusted 1t is not believed that the
operators will go into such a conference. Presi-
dent Mitchell and the other labor leaders are
strong advocates of an annual wage scale ar
rangement similar to that in force in the btu
minous coal field. The operators in these regions
meet their employees each year and fix the wage
scale If this proposition and that relating to
the abolition Of the sliding scale brought
before the convention and negotiations with the
mine owners are opened it may cause consid-
cradle delay in the settlement Of the strike. The
convention may be in session several days. and
it is hardly probable that any coal will be mined
next week Some of the National officers are
unanimous in their declarations for a settle
ment and will exercise their influence with dele
gates to accept the offer of the companies.
At this time the men are divided on the propo-
sition as to whether or not it is victory. The
sliding scale and the price of coal at tdewater
have been an enigma to more enlightened minds
than those of the miners In the past, and the
real gain or loss will only be demonstrated by
actual practice. A vote for the resumption of
work is regarded 4as certain tonight, but this,
it is believed, VIII only be secured after con-
siderable difficulty. Most of the mine owners
who have granted the increase do not specify
in their notices how long the advance shall re-
main in force, and it is not unlikely that an at
tempt will be made by the miners in convention
to open negotiations with the operators looking
toward an understanding on this matter. This
will cause delay. and no one looks for resump-
ton of work early next week
John Fahey. National organizer of the United
Mine Workers and president of the district
bracing Schuylkill County, is of the opinion
that the miners should accept the 10 per cent
increase and return to work He said to-day:
The United Mine Workers in the present strug-
gle have won a victory that the organization
are other concessions to be considered. and we
accept the 10 per cent fiat increase and the re-
in the same spirit in which it is offered.
STRIKE IN PANTHER CREEK VALLEY.
The strike situation in the Panther Creek
Valley to-day than yesterday, al
though all the cOllieries worked. 1t is estimated
that only - per cent of the men reported for
duty at No. s. while Nos. 10 and 1 were badly
crippled 1t is thought that No s at least will
be compelled to close in the morning The strike
sentiment is certainly growing. Men were inter-
Cepted on their way to work this morning. and
the majority turned back. The United Mine
Workers and their drum corps paraded at Coal
dale There was no violence. but much
thusiasm. About 80 per cent of the fifteen hun
dred men at Williamstown Colliery resumed
work this morning. 10 per cent less than yes
terday. The union leaders claim to have Sc
cured the signatures of oil employees at Will
Jamestown to paper promising to join the strike
and become members of the union, and are going
ahead to tie up the colliery. This afternoon and
evening meetings held in almost every
town in the Schuylkill district
To-day's demonstration in Shamokin exceeded
even the expectations of the strike leaders
There thousands of visitors the town
decorated, all business was suspended, and
the enthusiastic scenes of last Saturday at
Shenandoah repeated.
Though President Mitchell says that the con-
vention must decide whether or not to accept
the offer of the operators, it is absolutely GER
tain that he will dominate the gathering.
No MORE CONCESSIONS.