The Irish standard., 1900-10-20
MINERS MAKE REPLY.
In Convention at Scranton They De.
eide to Accept OPERATOR O6eP
Other Demands Made.

Scranton, Pa., Oct. 16.-Prospects
for settlement of the anthracite coal
miners strike are apparently a. far
off as ever. This in spite of the fact
that the miners convention on satur-
day, after two days of deliberation,
decided to accept the advance of ten
per cent. offered by the operators.
Coupled with this acceptance, how
ever, were certain counter PROPOSE
tions which it is almost certain the
operators will refuse to accept and
which render nugatory all the efforts
so far made toward an agreement.
The proposition of the miners is that
they will accept the increase in wages
provided the operators will agree to
continue the payment OF the advance
until next April and will abolish the
sliding scale. If the operators consider
the proposition unacceptable the min
ers are willing to arbitrate the ques-
tions at issue. They also decided to
continue the strike until the opera
tors agree to the conventions prop
osition. The result is as follows:
1--WE. your committee, further respectful
ly submit the following preamble and reso-
lutions for your consideration:
whereas. The anthracite coal operators
have posted notices offering an advance
OF ten per cent. over wages formerly paid
and have signified their willingness to adj
just our grievances with their employees.
whereas. They have failed to specify
the length of time this advance would re-
main in force. and have also failed to abol-
ish the sliding scale method of determining
wages we would recommends:
THAT this convention accept an advance
of ten per cent, providing the operators
Will continue its payment until April /.
1901. and will abolish the sliding scale In
the Lehigh and Schuylkill regions. the
scale of wages in the last two named dis
tricts to remain stationary at ten per cent.
above the present basis price. and that the
companies will agree to adjust other grew
ances complained of with committees of
their own employees.
SHOULD this proposition be unacceptable
to the operators. we recommend that the
convention propose that all questions at
issue be submitted to fair and impartial
board of arbitration.
I'VE further recommend that under no
circumstances whatever should there be
resumption of work at any of the col
lieries until the operators signify their ac-
ceptance of this proposition and you are
notified officially that the strike is ended
and all return to work in a body on the
same day.
Judging by the unanimity of the
miners in accepting the above resolu-
ton and by the determined stand
taken by the operators it is believed
that long contest between the strik-
ers and the mine owners is not I'M
likely. There was great enthusiasm
in the convention when the counter
proposition to the operators was car
ried and three cheers were given for
President Mitchell. The resolutions
were drafted by committee of 10,
appointed at the morning session, Of
which the national president was
chairman.
Wilkesbarre, Pa, Oct. 1.-THE
striking miners of the Wyoming VAL
ley are anxiously waiting to hear
what answer the operators will make
to the demands of the Scranton con-
vention. There is hopeful feeling
among the men that the concessions
asked for will be granted, but nobody
feels sure of an early settlement, and
there will be no relief from the pres
emit anxiety until some definite infor-
nation is received from tho GOAL mag
mates in New York.