The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-03-11
Practical Defiance of United Mine
Understandable Miners Are
AlreadyDivided-- Mitchell Talks

wilkesbarre Pa, March 1.-THE os1ra-
tors from end to end of the anthracite re-
gion have boldly defied the United Mine
Workers by forestalling the convention
Of the present week and practically de-
claring that they would not attend the
joint convention arranged for next Eri-
day.
They posted notices at every collier In
the region offering the continuance OF the
conditions now existing and which ex-
pire on April l.
These they agree to continue for anoth-
er year. and also TO act with the employees
OF each colliery regarding the grievances
there.
The notices are of this order. dated at
the working offices of the companies and
signed by the superintendents:
'.The 10 per cent advance In wages and
other concessions made by this company
on Nov. /. 1900, as per notices posted. Will
be continued until April /. 1902 Local diff
ferences will be adjusted with our en-
ployes at the respective collierios.
The posting OF these notices was q great
surprise TO the men, as Il had been ex-
the convention and 20 hear what the men
desired. and there was also the hope that
they would meet In the Joint convention
The notices have taken the wind out OF
the sails of the convention. and the plan
is regarded as being final offer on the
part OF the operators
MAKING GOOD MONEY.
II Is merely to continue the conditions
at present existing and under which the
men are working steadily and making
good money, with nothing to mar the
good feeling between them and the op-
orators except the continued small
strikes. chiefly Of the boy employees. WHIT
frequently 20 out for some petty reas,sl
and without waiting for the action of the
union on the matter.
The operators here Will not say when
the plan was arranged or by whom. hut
IL is known that In the last three days
OF the past week nearly every operator In
abs. region went 60 New YORK and there
had Interviews with the heads of the
coai-chrrying railroads and the presidents
OF the big coal companies.
The fact that the action is unanimous
fs evidence OF an understanding amons
the opera tors complete as there Is ~
the union OF the employees and it shows
that there IL controlling power and di'
recflng head over the operators that has
never been there before
" 81 believed that this plan FOR
dealing with the union was dictated 10y
Morgan and the men interested with him
in the recent combine of the coal-carrN'
ing:
strike ~ declared. IL means there Will h,
suoh fight az there has never been be
fore in the coal regions. The labor lead
~ for the coming % President Mitchell
and conference with him regar riding th'
situation. for IL places the union wher'
the operators have becn for the past few
weeks as the side whose turn Il Is e
speak.
The people have bocn waiting for th'
operators TO answer tho invitation OF th'
union TO attend the Joint convention. bu
the notices posted define the operators
position SO clearly that q is a definite re
fusai 10 attend the convention or To opcI
negotiations of any kind with the union
y u now up to the union 20 answer.
The men are of divided opinion regard
ing the situation. There are many whS
are willing 20 accept the offer and hRv'
the conditions remain az they are. bn
there are others who are willing 20 ngh
for the recognition of the union and fol
more concessions than are offered.
PRESIDENT MlTCHELL's STATE
MENT.
Indiana polls Ind. March ii-presidenl
John Mitchell. 81 the United Mine Work