The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1902-11-13
ULTIMATUM OF
The OPERATORS
Will Refuse TO Recognize Miners
Union, and So Warn
Commission.
SAY THAT is NOT AN ISSUE
Owners Agree In Resisting All
the Demands Of the Strik-
ers, Inclading That
For More Pay.

WASHINGTON. Nov R.-That the
anthracite coal mineowners will resist
TO the utmost every effort to make the
recognition OF the United Mineworkers
OF America an issue in the arbitration
which is now in progress is made evil
dent by the replies to the statement
OF President John Mitchell OF the min
ers' organization, which have been
filed with the strike commissioners.
There are five of these answers In ad-
dltlon 10 that OF President Baer, which
was given out yesterday, and all dwell
with especial emphasis and marked
unanimity on this point. They also
agree in resisting the demands Of the
miners for an increase OF pay for
plecework. a reduction Of hours for
timework. and for the Weighing rather
than the measurement OF coal.
Recorder Wright left for the anthra-
cite regions today, taking these re-
plies with him. In addition to the
statement OF the Reading company by
President Baer, the list comprises the
replies OF the Delaware & Hudson Co.
the Lackawanna. the Lehigh alley, the
Pennsylvania and the Scranton Coal
company.
The reply OF the Delaware & Lack
awanna Railway company to President
Mltchelrs statement is signed by w.
H. Truesdale. president, who says
that the company owns Is anthracite
collierles and employs l2,0oO workmen
in this branch of its business. Mr..
Truesdale, like Mr.. Baer, objects to
making the recognition of the union
one Of the issues to be considered BY
the commission, saying that In the
proposition made by the company ior
arbitration one OF the express condi-
tions was "that the findings OF the
commission should govern the condi-
tions of employment between u ana
its employees" He adds:
This company unequivocaily asserts
that II viii under no conditions recog-
nixe or enter into any agreement win
the association known as the United
Mineworkers of America or any branch
thereof. Nor win it permit said asso-
ciatlon or its officers to dictate the
terms and conditions under which 1t
shall conduct its business
President oliphant Of the Delaware
& Hudson company in his reply de-
clares that the wages paid by MS
company are just and adequate. lie
also saws that those OF IFS employees
who perform contract OF piccework
work as a matter of their own Noi'lioh
about six hours day and take nu-
merous holidays, without the consent
or approval OF Ibis respondent ana
their earnings. Sy hours CT aetuai
work, are, therefore. much higher
than those in similar emp'o!n ti''.
Denial is made OF the allegations IN
connection with the demand fNr shorter
hours and 1t is contalled that sueh
a reduction necessarily would IN 'tase
the price Of oal-
President Olipha0t takes exception /
to the proposition to arbitrate lhe
o,ast,on of the recognition of the
miners union on the ground that the
organization seeks to control the en-
tire fuel supply of the country tnat
as the union is unincorporated 1t Is
incapable of making binding contrae'
ona that the association has SHOWN
its inability to control its own MEM
hers. He says his company mas Il"
aesira tn discriminate against mem-
bers Of the union
President Fowler asserts 'hat Il ,ne
n varage wage earned by the anthracite |
is less than that pa'u
in other employment 1t is because
"they fix their own hours of labor anu |
the amount of their earnings without
any regard to the interests or WISHES
of their employers and in total dis
Of the earnings and welfare OF
every other class of employees"
An other charges made by MI
Mitchell are eombatted and on the
question of the miners union MI
Fowler said:
eve deny that agreements between
employers and employees through
organizations are BEN
eaic,al in the bituminous coal helds
Or elsewhere and assert that any sucn
agreement as a method Of resuia''hs
production would be and Is injurious
10 the best interests Of the public