Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1900-10-19
HITCH IN SETTLEMENT
Operators Insist on Powder Re-
duction Figuring.
MINERS DID NOT so DECIDE.
Their Demand Was straight Ten Per
Cent Inerease--An Operator Says such
Demand and Reducing Powder Would
Mean Twenty Per Cent.

Scranton, Pa, Oct 1o.-The repre-
sentasives Of the big coal companies
met here and decided TO insist on a de-
here and decided to insist on a de
crease IN the price OF powder being
complied as part of the increase of
wages to contract miners. The en-
ployes also decided to amend the
posted notices by adding another nos
tice hat the advance held good until
April | and longer, unless notice was
given.
The conference was attended by
the following.
general Superintendent Il. Il. Loomis
of the Delaware. Lackawanna; Cen
eral superintendent W. A. Lathrop,
of the Lehigh Valley; General Super
intendent NJ. Ii. STAIRS, of the Seran-
ton Coal Company (Onario and West
ern1 President William Council, of
the Connel Coal company, who is
chairman of the independent opera
tors committee; General Manager W.
A. May, of the Hillside Coal and Iron
company (I3rie); General Superia-
tendent w ]. Richards, of the Lehigh
and Wilkesbarre Coal company. Gen
eral Superintendent Morris Williams,
of the Susquehanna Coal company
Nrie and Wyoming); General Super
inte1dent J. l.. Crawford of the Tenn
pie Iron company; General Superin-
tendenh Reese G. Brooks, of the Lang
cliffe. Latin and Greenwood Coal
companies.
National President Mitchell, District
President r. ID. Nichols. District Sec
rotary John T. Dempsey and National
Organizer Fred Dilehher. of the
United Mine Workers, have all been
quoted as saying that the resolution
of the Scranton convention contem-
plated straight advance of 10 per
cent fer all PARIS of the region. and
reduction in powder was not to be a
part The powder question, they, one
and all, said. was left out of the pres
ent negotiations, with the upnder-
standing that it should form one of
the grievances to be adjusted in the
conferences, which the offer says the
operators agree to have with their
men to take up any grievances they
may have"
President Mitchell, when Informed
by the phone of the action of the OPP
orators. stated that he would have to
decline to discuss its probable effect
regarding a settlement until he had
given the matter careful considera-
ton lie would not say whether or
not it would be possible TO deal with
the difficulty withoWf calling another
convention. District President Mich
OILS said last evening that it looked to
him as If another convention was nee
essary. Il do not know that the dele
gates will consent to waving their
demand for straight increase and
allowing the substitution of this
clause about powder which the OPP
orators are so insistent about said
he, "but without their consent | do
not see how the matter can be adjust
ed To me 1t looks like a prolonga-
ton of the fight
The Gibbons Coal company drift
started up, full handed with the APP
prevail of the United Mine Workers.
1t is conditional that the company
shall mine only sufficient coal to fill
it's contracts with the school district.
The men are to receive the straight
10 per cent advance. Fifty hands are
employed.
Wilkesbarre, Oct. ia prominent
coal man, who attended the Scran-
son conference said in part:
''The offer means a straight 10 per
cent increase in the wages for the
men. 1t is true the price of powder
will be computed as part of the in
crease to contract miners. But that
does not make any difference to the
whole Eevery man who works will
earn 10 per cent more in wages than
he did under the old system. That
certainly ought to be plain enough.
If the men were to be paid 10 per
cent increase in wages and then given
sides that would practically mean a
20 per cent increase and as far as
can learn the men have not asked for
Hazleton. Pa, Oct 19.-Up to last
night four companies in the Halle
ton region have posted notices accept
ing the Scranton convention demands.
They are the Lehigh Valley Coal
company, operating a half dozen col
lieries in this vicinity; Calvin Pardee
& Co. two collieries; Van Wyclxle es-
tate, two collie1ies, and A. Pardee &
Co. one colliery.
Mr.. Mitchell is extremely reticent.
1t is supposed he desires to hear from
the district officers before making any
public expressions as to the probable
ity of an early resumption of work.
WIDOW OF LANE TESTIFIED.