New-York tribune., 1900-08-29
MAY BE BIG COAL STRIKE.
ACTION OF ANTHRACITE MINERS PRO-
VIDES FOR IT UNLESS DEMANDS
ARE MET IN TEN DAYS.


Hazleton. Penn. Aug a.-If the anthracite coal
operators refuse to grant the demands OF the
United Mine Workers. as embodied in the reports
of the Scale and the Resolutions committees pre-
sented and adopted at to-day's convention, within
ten days from date, by September S, strike IN
volving one hundred and forty thousand miners.
OF whom forty thousand are members of the Mine
Workers organization, viii be declared. The con-
vention to-day applied to the National Executive
Board with headquarters at indianapolis, to order
a strike If no satisfactory amicabe agreement re-
garding wages. the powder question and other
grievances IS reached
President Mitchell said tonight that the applica-
ton would undoubtedly be favorably acted upon
by the Board, which meets at Indianapolis on Sep
tember g. II existing conditions OF which the miners
complain not remedied in the time allowed by
the convention.
The morning session was devoted to a discussion
OF the report OF the Scale Committee. which was
adopted. but not made public until this afternoon
when the convention adjourned sine die Soon
after the opening of the afternoon session Presl-
dent Mitchell said that the Rev. Father Philips
OF St. GabrieFs Church. who advised the men Of
his parish Sunday not TO go strike If one
should be declared. had something to to the
delegates and that if there was no objection he
would be invited to address the convention.
II was unanimously agreed that Father Philips
be heard and committee escorted him into the
hall He made stirring appeal TO the miners not
act hastily and precipitate struggle, and SAID
that in his mind conditions were not favorable 10
a strike He counselled moderation, and suggested
that before the men resorted TO a strike they
should use all honorable and anicable means for
bringing about a settlement. If the Mine Workers
did secure recognition directly from the opera
tors he advised them TO authorize their committee
20 pick men employed at the colleries who are
not members Of the union TO act with the Mine
Workers and present their grievances to their en-
ployers so that every opportunity would be given
for remedying conditions and avoiding serious
trouble.
His remarks had noticeable effect on the con-
yention and many of the delegates who had previ-
ousy favored immediate declaration of a strike
coincided with his views. The report of the Scale
Committee IS follows:
We demand the abolition of the company store
system the reduction in the price OF poW6er ~, 10
as to who shall be our doctors abolition OF the
sliding scale now in practice IN The the LemgR h m aa
Monthly Pay law, and that all employees be pa1d
ing 1850 pounds TO the ton. and that 224o pounds
constitute a ton; that advance OF 20 per cent
be paid all classes OF men now recelylhs leSs man ian
3 50 a day; that all classes OF day Iapor now re-
Is per cent over present wages that all day labor
now receiving more than 81 Is shall be advanced 10
more 5 nan S @ 8 sSae 2ho OF Sass OF work
Following are the separate scales adopted for
the respective districts for inside work:
District No 1-Comprising upper Luzerne and
Lackawanna, that 721a cents be paid ton OF
220 pounds according to the thickness OF the vein;
CT honey in the coal, but we insist on having
check weight man at he head of the breaker. who.
with the company weightman. shall agree upon
the amount of dOckage.
District No. 7-Comprisng the Hazleton and up
per Schuylkill region. We demand that in veins
Of ten feet in thickness or over % cents be paId
seven feet ~ cents and that the highest rate be
District No. 9-Comprising shanokin and part Of
crease of 81 per cent contract work and an
Fob hall ba cent
In District No. coal is measured at present by
the wagon, and not by the ton. the adoption of
which system is asked for
The following are the resolutions adopted by the
convention:
Whereas. The operators Of the anthracite coal re-
gion have entirely ignored our cordial invitation
extended by the representatives of this convention
5ustng. the many grievances Complained of in the
circulars mailed TO the operators; and -
Whereas, The earnings Of mine workers have
been reduced 10 such extent that we are no
withstanding the fact that market prices OF coal
are much higher than have prevailed for many
properly are in excess Of those obtained at any
other period; in view Of all these circumstances,
entitled 70 at least fair share Of the increased
the products Of our labor: therefore, be it
Resolved, That We, the delegates representing
pc2n ION Of coal in the anthracite region on submit
Tnent, which we believe both moderate and tenn
perate in view of the fact that the necessares Of
two years: be It further
Resolved, That while deprecate the necessity
OF engaging in strike to enforce humane cOndl-
tions of employment. except when all other honor
able means have been resorted TO- we hereby de-
clare Willingness to suspend operations and
respectfully request the National president to at
cLce convene the National Executive Board for the
purpose OF passing upon our application to engage
IN a strike, take effect not later than days
from this date, provided an amicable settlement
IS not effected in TIE mean time. We pledge our
selves 10 all iO-Crable and lawful TO
bring about speedy and satisfactory settlement
of our difficulties, and to this end call upon
all anthracite coal workers to join in strug-
gle Tor justice; and we earnestly appeal TO the
great, justice loving American people to render
and oppression, suffering and wrong may be for
ever oblterated and that may enjoy the m
forts and pleasures which dangerous and ardu-
employment richly entities We e.
6pectfUlly solicit the investigation and continued
advocacy Of our cause by the American press; that
Nos. !, and 9, be given power 10 appoint any
committee If they that II will assist in arriv-
ing az amicable settlement within the next ten
days.
According 10 the Press Committee the power
given the District Executive Committee 10 appoint
any committees 1t may see fit means that any
outsiders non-union employees merchants. profess
eionai men or ministers may be asked 10 confer
with the operators for adjustment of griev-
.ances, that every shall be exhausted be-
fore any strike is declared
II IS possible that Father Phillips will be re-
quested TO speak for the miners Of this district
fer with the operators on behalf OF the men.
IMPRESSED INTO THE GERMAN ARMY.