The evening times., 1900-04-02
MARYLAND miners ACT
committees Empowered TO NegOti-
ate a Tonnage Rate.
Georges Creek Workers Agree to
suspend Operations IL Necessary
to Win Their Point-Enthusiastic
Meetings Held in MaryInnd-The
General Situation of Affairs.

CUMBERLAND. Md. April 1.-The great
meeting Of Georges Creek, Cumberland,
and Meycrsdale miners occurred at Iona
coming Saturday. and adjourned with the
question Of a strike still unsettled. The
gist Of the action Of the assembly is con
tanned in the following resolutions, which
were adopted
Resolved. That we, the miners OF the
Georges Creek regain OF Maryland, in mass
meeting assembled. hereby declare that we
are entitled 30 and should receive the same
tonnage rate for mining as obtains in the
central fields OF Pennsylvania namely so
cents ton OF :, ,240 pounds.
Resolved. That the committees selected
by Us in our various local unions. together
with the executive beard Of District No. Is.
in conjunction with the national president
Of the United Mine Workers of America be
and they are hereby empowered TO conduct
such negotiations and to take such action
as their judgment shall direct for the pur-
pose Of securing the tonnage rate as stated
in the FIRST resolution. and We hereby
pledge ourselves individually ana ColleC-
lively TO abide by whatever decision may
De rendered by them i'm the furtherauce CT
the purposes set forth. even to the com
Plete suSransiOn of mining operations on
CuIs rart."
The resolutions were drawn up at
meeting Of two delegates from each local
union.
There is a decided sentiment against
strike outside Of the organization which
does not embrace one-half Of the miners OF
the region. while not few men in the or
gauization are avcrse 10 the proposition
Many miners kept az work aud did not at
tend the meetings. yet Lonac0uing was
filed with visitors. the crowd being ostl-
mattel al 600 men. Besides these many
women and children were IN town.
The question o. strike now rests with
the organization. and &C. is believed that
should one be declared many miners will
not abide by e.. The young men are the
main strike agitatOrs. while the old men
are generally opposed to such a recourse,
although they have little to say.
4 prominent operator is accredited with
saying that the companies are able 10 pay
the 90 cents a ton at the present prices
paid for coal. the demand for coal being
very great. but there is a likelihood OF
downward prices later on. when it would De
necessary TO reduce the wages. thereby
causing even more trouble at a later date
II is also stated that. should the miners
fail TO accept the offer Of 30 cents a ton
and declare a strike. the operators would
Immediately purchase machines Tor the
mines.
The situation, however does not so
much involve an additional increase Of .
cents as it does the recognition of the or
ganizatiou by the operators. The miners
as a mass seem 20 want the organization
recognized. even those who do not belong
10 il so desiring. II the operators wilt
treat with the committee named it is
thought it will be smoother sailing 9TH
erUise a strike may come
Enthusiastic meetings were held in both
Nor3n's and Evans Opera Houses. Adj
dresses were made az both places by sam
uel GOmpcrs. President OF the American
Federation OF Labor: John Mitchell Pres
ideut Cf the United Mine Workers OF
America. Fred Dilcher OF Nelsonyu.e
Ohio, a member OF the executive board.
William b Wilson. President OF the Penn
sylvauia district. and Organizer William
Warren. OF Pirtsburg
bir. Mitchell tried 20 speak Immediately
after the resolutions were offered Fred
Uucher having announced him fer the pur-
pose. IL was thought, OF thwarting debate
on the resolutions. 4 number advocated
the submission OF the resolutions 20 the
various local unions for their action
Ducher's plan worked. although there was
much protesting when President Mitchell
started OUT Win MS d0lItn5 IN hultu ne
admitted that the miners OF the Central
Pennsylvania and West Virginia regions
would keep al work. whether a strike Oc-
CURED iu this region OF not The Organi-
cation had the meeting well in hand and
The chairman and the speakers ignored all
attempts to Inject debate. President
Mitchell declared that il a strike occurred
the operators would be responsible.
Much interest centred in the appearance
Of Samuel Gompers. who caused great en-
thusiasm by his references 10 the Bosr
war. Il is proposed also 20 organize
branches Of the Federation Of Labor OF
which he is the head I'm the mining re-
giOn. The resolutions were put TO the
miners in both halls and adopted.
The miners Of the Consolidation Coal
Company took little part in the proceed
ings and IL is asserted the most of these
men will continue at work in any event
Daniel Young OF Homecoming, IS the lead
er OF the anti-strike clement and he has
his forces well i'm hand 1t is conceded
that triumph was achieved by the anti
strike portion over experienced Organiza-
tion leaders in having the matter delayed
The operators were not in evidence. and
while rumOrs were afiOat all day that they
would grant a conference they were all
found 20 be baseless. a delegation OF 100
miners from the Caledonia mines. Barton.
openly said they were in favor OF accept
ing 50 cents