New-York tribune., 1901-03-15
COAL LINERS IN CONFERENCE.
MITCHELL. SAYS RESPONSIBILITY FOR a
STRIKE WILL. REST WITH OPERATORS
BELIEF THAT DIFFERENCES WILL
RE Adjusted.

Hazeton Penn. March Il (SpecaD.-As the time
for presenting demands of the anthracite miners
the operators draws near interest in the con-
venton intensifes. That all is not harmony Is
shown by the fact that the scale committees OF
three districts appointed to consider and present
for the consideration of the convention any and
all grievances and the demands to he made. nave
been IN continuous session for two days, and Will
not report until tomorrow.
The miners of the Schuylkill region, represented
by the delegates of the Ninth District, insist upon
recognition of the union. the discontinuance OF
the present contract system and the adjustment Of
many minor grievances Not one of the delegates
or labor leaders here believes the operators VIII
attend joint conference tomorrow; their action
in posting notices of continuance OF the 10 per
cent increase In wages and willingness to adjust all
grievances with their own employees Is taken as an
Indication that they have made their last 9iove
10 meet any action the miners convention may
take Mother Jones. who is thoroughly conversant
with the situation, says there will he no strike but
opinions differ. and the statements OF the leaders
are conflicting.
Legislation favorable to the miners was dis
cussed great length to-day. and measures calling
for a strict observance OF the mining laws and
providing for penalties for violation Of the semi
monthly pay bill and the beginning of new system
OF pay by weight. together with resolutions or
sympathy and support for the striking silk mill
workers throughout the valley. were adopted
President Mitchell made the following statement
tonight:
Tomorrow is the date selected to hold joint
conference with he mine owners, and while |
have not heard officially that the operators Will
attend or remain away, | want to have Il under
stood that II a peaceful settlement is not effected
and the mine workers compelled 10 suspend
work, the fault and responsibility rest only
upon IN. shoulders OF the operators say the
mine workers organization had proved Itself to be
in every particular responsible, and, tnasmuch as
the organization represents almost every anthracite
mine worker there can be no good reasons assigned
bv the operators should they fail 10 meet in joint
conference tomorrow with the representatives OF
their employees. -, ., =. ,
The conditions Of enploym in the anthracltS
coal regions at present far from being talr ana
eouitablc and there is entire absence or UNI
formity in prices and conditions between the on
fcrent companies there being in many cases Il Wlde
diyerrence in prices in different colherics even
when owned by the same companies. ana these IN
eoualItlcS cannot he regulated except through Il
ioint conference Of operators and miners repre-
scntnE all the different competing companies.
sincerely hope that tomorrow viii marx tne
Introduction of a more humane and equitabie meth
Oh OF adjusting differences that arise between en-
plover and employe than has prevailed heretofore
in the anthracite region.
II was reported good authority in Wall street
Yesterday that there every prospect that the
threatened trouble In the anthracite region would
be averted and that 1t was virtually an assured
fact that there would be no strike among the
miners.