The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-10-09
THE LAST PROPOSITION
THE COAL OPERATORS WILL MAKE TO
THE STRIKERS.
ACCEPT OR FIGHT TO THE FINISH
The Individual Mine Owners DIN the
Corporations I'm Offering a Ten Per
Cent Advance Neither VIII Go Any
Soon be Over-President Mitchell De-
mics the Strike Is a Political Move.
Miners Attacked by Women.

Miners Attacked by Women.
Hazleton. Pa. October 5.-Ths belief
prevalent here that the anthracite coal
strike is approaching an end, is consid-
erably strengthened tonight by the &C
ton of the individual operators in fol-
lowing the lead of the big coal carry
rying and coal mining railroads by
Offering a net increase OF 10 per cent.
in the wages OF their employees. The
first break among the individual opera
tors in this district was made today
when A. Pardee & Co., operating the
Cranberry and Crystal Ridge collier
les, offered its employees 10 per cent.
net increase in wages, and a reduction
in the price Of powder to $3.50 per keg
The decrease in the price of powder is
to be taken in account in the advanc-
ing of the wages. That four more OF
the individual mine owners will make
the same offer is hardly doubted.
President Mitchell of the United
Mine Workers, is much interested in
the advance made by the individual
companies, but would say nothing fol
publication. There is d strong belief
here that Mr.. Mitchell is waiting fol-
all the coal companies in the anthra-
cite region to offer the 10 per cent. in
reaSe before he will call a joint con-
vention to consider the proposition
Mr.. Mitchell would say nothing on this
particular subject. He has all along
advocated unity of action and It is this
that strengthens the opinion that he
uril1 coll tho convention arrar all fhf
companies have made an offer. He
continues to say that the strike cannot
be settled without a convention anC
that he is awaiting on the operators.
In the meantime the men now or
strike, said to number 13S, 900, are not
wavering under h proffered increaSe
in wages.
In the Lackawanna and Wyoming
districts not a mine is working. The
conditions remain about the same in
the Schuylkll district, more men have
laid down Their tools n quit.
TO Mako NO FURTHER CONCES-
SIONS.
New York, October SIT is said to-
night that the net result of the work
among the coal operators is that about
every n of them is willing to make a
10 per cent. advance in wages if this
is necessary to a settlement. More
than this, none of them will do. The
Delaware and Hudson Company which
has been inclined to hold out against
any advance, is now ready to make
that concession with the other COM
panieS and operators.
AS to the attitude of the coal roads,
President Maxwell, of the Jersey Gen.
trail after admitting that there had been
a conference last night said:
The operating companies have made
every concession that they intend to
make. Such of the companies and in
dependent concerns as have not yet
agreed 70 an advance promise TO an
nounoe their Willingness tomorrow.
1t will then be up TO the miners. They
will do we'll to remember that it is their
opportunity. We will not go beyond
that
There IS talk among the retailers OF
this city OF another advance. probably
fifty cents for stove, chestnut n such
SiZeG
The Evening Post says: president
Maxwell, of the New Jersey Central,
and the president of another coal car
rying railway, who declined to be
quoted for publication, made the def
mite announcement today that no fur
Their concessions would be granted to
the striking miners and that il they
did not accept the 10 per cent. offer the
strike would be fought out. 1t is sup
posed tina this decision was reached
at a joint meeting of coal railway pres
idents and operators which was held
at the Lehigh Valley offices in this city
last evening"