The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-09-29
NO DEVELOPMENTS.
Something Big Was Looked For But
1t Didn't Come.

Hazleton, Pa, September 28.-Notwith-
standing the runors of settlement and of
concession on the part of the operators,
that was no change in the great coal
strike situation here today. 1t was prob
ably the most inactive day that President
Mitchell and his official staff have spent
since the strike began. The day gave
promise of developing important events
at the United Mine Workers headquar-
ters but all those Interested were doomed
to disappointment. That President Nit
chen was waiting for Information from
New York cannot be denied, as he inti-
mated several times during the day that
| something might develop before night.
In the forenoon he had two lengthy con-
yersations over the long distance tele-
phone, and between four and i've o clock
this afternoon he was at the wire for
more than half an hour. 10 whom he
talked he declined to say.
In discussing the reported ten per cent
advance offered the men by the operators,
Mr. Mitchell said:
s'Under the sliding scale such an in
crease practically amounts to nothing;
what the men would gain in one day they
might lose the next
By the sliding scale is meant that
wages are fixed according to the market
price of coal. II there is an advance in
the price the miners share in it and
should there be a decrease the miners COR
resDOndingly share such a decrease.
If an increase of ten percent is offered
the miners it VIII probably be done by
means Of posted notices and the personal
visitation of representatives of the mine
owners, and not to the United Mine
Workers, because the operators say they
viii never recognize the organization. II
the men so informed desire to consider
the proposition they would have meet
ing OF their local union called for the
purpose of having the officers of those
bodies notify the three district presidents
These presidents would inform the ma
tional president. AS Mr. Mitchell is not
en- powered to accept anything less than
ali the miners demands he could do
nothing but instruct the men to refuse
the offer. If the strikers should still feel
that they ought to entertain the PROPOSE
ton they can ask the national president
through a local union meeting ana then
district convention to call joint con-
ventiOn for three districts. The request,
however, would not be compulsory, the
national president being allowed so use
his Judgment
The demands of the men were fixed by
a Joint convention OF three districts. They
cannot accept anything less than these
demands without two thirds vote OF the
three districts in joint convention, which
can settle any question concerning the
strikes
The labor leaders here say they feel
that the union ana non-union men will
stand out against the reported offer OF ten
per cent incr ease.
Quiet continues to prevail throughout
the whole Iehigh valley region. The j.
S. Wentz e 90. colIiery at Hazlebrook
shut down today. There were few
changes in the working forces of the col
Iieries which have not been shut down. "A
big mass meeting was held at Beaver
Meadow tonight where the only coll1ery
ia the south side, that of Coke Bros. &
Co., is in operation.
A large parac6 of miners from the sur
rounding towns was to be held in Hazle-
ton tomorrow, but the mayor refused to