The evening times., 1900-04-02
MARYLAND miners ACT
committees Empowered 10 Negoti.
ate a Tonnage Rate.
Georges Creek Workers Agree to
Suspend Operations IL Necessar!
Meetings Held i'm Maryland-The
General Situation of Affairs.

CUMBERLAND. Md, April 1.-The great
meeting Of Georges Creek, Cumberland,
and Meyersdale 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 to and should receive the same
tonnage rate for mining as obtains in the
central fields of Pennsylvania, namely, 50
cents a ton OF ? ,240 pounds.
Resolved. That the committees selected
by US in our various local unions, together
with the executive beard of District No 10,
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 and collec-
lively TO abide by whatever decision may
be rendered b. them in the furtherance CT
the purposes set forth. even TO the conf
plete suspension of mining operations on
cur part"
The resolutions were drawn up at a
meeting of TWO delegates from each local
union.
There is q decided sentiment against a
strike outside OF the organization, which
does not embrace one-half Of the miners OF
The region. while not a few men in the or
ganizatiCn are averse TO the proposition.
Many miners kept at work and did not at
tend the meetings. yet Lonaccning was
filled with visitors. the crowd being esti-
mated at 5000 men. Besides these many
women and children were in town.
The question OF strike now rests with
the organization. and it is believed that
should one be declared many miners will
not abide by it, The young men are the
main strike agitators, while the old men
are generally opposed TO such recourse,
although they have little to say.
prominent operator is accredited with
saving that the companies are able to pay
the 60 cents a ton at the present prices
paid for coal the demand for coal being
| very great but there is likelihood OF
downward prices later on. when il would be
necessary TO reduce the wages. thereby
! causing even more trouble at later date.
! II is also stated that, should the miners
/ fail TO accept the offer of 30 cents ton
and declare a strike, the operators would
| Immediately purchase machines for the
mines.
The situation. however does not so
much involve an additional increase Of >
/ cents as il does the recognition Of the or
ganization by the operators. The miners
as mass seem TO want the organization
( recognized even those who do not belong
TO il so desiring. If the opera tors Will
treat with the committee named ii is
thought il viii be smoother sailing; 9TH
erVise a strike may come.
Enthusiastic meetings were held in both
Norsns and Evans Opera Houses. Ad-
dresses were made at both places by sam
uel Gompers President of the American
Federation of Labor; John Mitchell. Pres
iGent Ct the United Mine Workers OF
America. Fred Dilcher. OF Nelsonyille.
Ohio. q member Of the executive board;
William B. Wilson. President Of the Penn
sylyauia district aud Organizer William
Warren. OF PiyJsburg.
Ar Mitchell tried TO speak Immediately
after the resolutions were offered. Fred
Dlgher having announced him fer the pur-
pose il was thought OF thwarting debate
on the resolutions. number advocated
the submission OF the resolutions to the
various local unions for their action.
Djlcher'S Dlan worked. although there was
much protesting when President Mitchell
started out with his address. in which he
admitted that the miners of the Central
PENNSYLVANIA and West Virginia regions
would keep at work. whether a strike oc-
CURED in this region or not. The organi-
zatiou had the meeting well in hand. and
the chairman and the speakers ignored all
attempts to Inject debate. President
Mitchell declared that if 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 TO the Boer
war Il is proposed also 10 organize
branches Of the Federation of Labor, OF
which he is the head. in 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 element and he has
his forces well in hand 1t is conceded
that a 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
would grant conference. they were all
found 20 be baseless 4 delegation of 100
miners from the Caledonia mines. Barton
openly said they were in favor OF accept
ing 50 cents.