New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-09-06
MINERS DEMANDS REFUSED
ANTHRACITE COAL OPERATORS DENY
INCREASE IN WAGES.
MINE WORKERS OR TO GRANT
THE RELIEF ASKED.

MINE WORKERS OR TO GRANT
THE RELIEF ASKED.
The operators in the anthracite coal districts,
at a meeting held Tuesday in the Jersey
Central Building. in Liberty-st., discussed the
proposed strike among their employees and after
q long conference a committee appointed
TO draft a statement setting forth the views of
the operators and refusing to recognize the
United Mine Workers of America, an organiza-
ton which has membership. according to the
operators, Of about twelve thousand anthracite
coal miners.
One Of the operators when seen last evening
said that the impending strike was the principal
subject discussed at the meeting He said the
United Mine Workers of America had been or
ganzed about seven years. and that If the strike
took place it would affect about 10000 mine
employees in the anthracite coal region. He de-
clared, further, that the annual output of the
hard coal mines from 100000 to 4oOOo-
600 TONS and that wages amounting to S42-
100000 were paid out yearly.
In view Of the interest taken in the proposed
strike and in the meeting of the Executive Com
mttee Of the United Mine Workers. to be held
at Indianapolis to-day. the following statement
given out last evening:
The United Mine Workers and their leaders are
composed of soft coal men not famnar WIN me
our men with the soft coal district we oeheVe 10
be antagonistic to the best interests OF me men
the benefits OF any troubles or strikes caused by
that organization in the anthracite region and our
Judgment in refusing TO confer with these foreign
Interests is confirmed by the methods they pnr-
sue. They making many mlsstateInenlS dpPdl-
entity 10 Inislead the miners and the public
WAGES NOT REDUCED.
F,rst-That the earnings of the mine workers
have been reduced. The facts that the scale
%e Ms1s viii bstanding the numerous periods Of
business depression and repeated REDUCTIONS in the
coal operators mine at such low cost as 10
f sa69 hg gv aaRaee coa BOT only has there
been reduction in wages or earnings of the men
IL the anthracite regions, but advances have been
made IL a great many mines TO meet changging
cite labor has been more fully employed, getting
more days work, consequently larger earnings,
coerles the miner is paid by the car and the price
1rica a. difareo- coIieries 04her Galleries nav
R-cv a. 7 H. orj e g. va On ta he sic Pei 81
paying so much for quantity sufficient 10 pro
the breaker This takes as much as 400 pounds
OF prepared coal, but the fun weight is seldom
the market prices Of coal are higher than in many
years is not true. The average prices are not
higher than in recent years. and much be-
low the prices received in 1892 The profits Of the
creased cost Of mining coal from lower depths and
longer distances Under ground, and have also been
materially decreased due to the rise in prices of
materials used around the colleries. This has af
AS TO their demand that We increase the price
wages We canof 0 o his 5er 70 xsff1 co 6
lions and retain the market for anthracite coal
a strike ana suspension of mining would have
very injurious e1ect on the anthracite trade losing
covered
THE COMPANY STORES GRIEVANCE.
Third-Regarding the powder question. 1t is true
that the price charged the miner for powder is
presented by the sgitators IS very misieading
was agFeed it Should be when the price Of powder
was fixed In other words, the price of powder
al the rate paid the miner for coal mined and a
] PaytS T 10 f h Sg LOT Po%o9F receives IN net
only 81 80 keg in other districts. ANY reduction
IN powder price is equivalent 10 an advance in
F0urth-The statements I in regard to the com
companies. such as the Delaware. Lackawanna and
high and WilkesbaTre Coke Brothers, the Delaware
1I i1[ L ana ee 4otLsIue SGal ana Iron Com
lect for, stores The men are paid in cash between
the 1st and 20th Of the month for the preceding
month and compulsory collections are made for
stores and doctors from the miners. The policy of
the companies for a long period has been to dis
courage any connection with the company stores
operators run socaed Company stoT t IN co3
neetton With their mines. This is usually due to
are run Ior me convenience Of the men. No
Regarding the semi-monthly pay, there has been
no refusal to comply with the law where a re-
guest mas been made by the employees.
ni me statement IN regard to being compelled to
cnIpnsTi@s oonpany qocLor is also untrue The
the services Of DOCTORS but they contribute large
pitais and relief funds.
The operators haze always met their EMPLOYEES
ana accorded them courteous treatment and patient
hearings; our inability TO grant general in
Strike. "
OTHER DEMANDS UNREASONABLE"
The other demands of this foreign organization
ere unGeasona be and could not be considered I'M
FTd-I % ~ .'LoI{ons. wages OF miners average
ION = 20 - a DAY In fact the rates paid for
y not hgfer, than paid for the same class of labor
DE -i EalIroaqs and other industries.
SXth-Ihe United Nine Workers of America ara
LYME 10 mlsead the public by making false state
Iaents or membership. Our inyestigs tons eboT,
tnat not over 10 per cent Of the labor eupIoyed IN
nc tilIII- aAthf acite region members O this
organization, and only a small proportjon Of The
members desire strike The conservative element
trGns our enployes does not sympathze with the
We would be pleased If the conditions warranted
q sehefaI advance IN wages. Unfortunately they
Nine Workers is liable to precIpitate an ,,rfnrt,
nate ana costly struggle between nd orr
outside influences. iiOHi
Years Of experience and practice have made tba
wages and basis in the different anthracite mines
practically uniform IN the net wages earned by the
Under the present circumstances we feel our no
sitton TO be fair and just We do MOI coir,P .
strike and would gladly avoid Il and trust thar orr
men VIII consider carefully before being led fI,r
Our position is taken after due deberation snd
we believe IS for the best interests Of the JyorlI
selves. anu oUi-
EFFORTS TO HARNfONIZE INTERESTS
Hazleton. Penn. Sept. efforts were begun
here to-day 70 bring about a settlement OF existing
difficulties by the selection of an fndependent
committee or committees in accordance with he
resolution adopted last