Omaha daily bee., 1902-03-28
STRIKE ORDER IS SUSPENDED
sbsmokin Resolution Laid Aside TO Permit
Further Deliberaton.
MINERS AND OPERATORS STILL At OUTS
settlement Not Reached Mt joint Con-
ference-Operntor- say Market Does
Not Justify Demnnds-Tbirty
Days for Adjustment.

NEW YORK, March z7.-Mine workers
and mine owners Of the anthracite fields de-
bated their differences for four hours to-
day In a conference arranged by the con-
cilliatlon committee Of the National Civic
Federation, but the meeting was without
result save that the workers agreed not 10
strike on April /, as decreed at the sham
okin convention. There il to be further
friendly discussion between the two inter-
eBts and Senator Hanna, az chairman Of the
Industrial department Of the Federation,
was empowered to call another conference
at any favorable time within the next
thirty days.
The workers asked for an increase in
pay. a shortening OF the working day to
eight hours, and the adoption Of a scale
for the entire district. The operators de-
clined to grant the demands as to time
and pay and refused to permit the COM
plete unionizing Of their properties. The
| operators offered to meet employees with
grievances at any time, but insisted that
there be no distinction between union and
non union men. : They also asserted that
present market conditions did not warrant
any increase In wages or a decrease In
working time.
Hold Joint Conference
Senator Hanna, Oscar s. Strauss and
Frank Duncan, a subcommittee named by
the conciliators, arranged for the confer
ence, which was held at the Church Mission
house. The operators present were w. II.
Truesdale, president OF the Delaware
Lackawanna & Western railroad: E. B.
Thomas, chairman OF tho board OF the Erie
railroad; George s. Baer, OF the Reading
railroad, and Robert Olyphant, president
OF the Delaware G. Hudson company. The
| spokesman for the miners was John Nit
chell, president Of the United Mine Work
ers' association, and District President
Nichols, John Fahey and Thomas Dudey.
The labor leaders contended that the men
were not given satisfactory pay and that
there was inequalities in the present wage
system which should be remedied by the
adoption OF a uniform scale. They also
held that the working day should be short
ened.
The operators commended that the higher
pay and shorter day demanded would rep
resent a wage increase OF twenty-three per
cent, which commercial conditions did not
warrant.
Operators Dictate Three Conditions.
The presidents Of the coal companies
outlined three propositions and said that
under no circumstances would they recede.
Those propositions we're as followsi
First. There should be no distinction be-
tween union and nonunion men.
Second. That the officials of the COM
panies would meet committees consisting
OF employees to discuss and adjust All
grievances, The members of the commit
tees must be persons in the employ OF the
companies, but the matter of their appoint
ment would not be inquired into either as
to their religion, politics or membership in
| labor ORGANIZATIONS.
Third. That the coal must be prepared ia
meet the market requirements and that the
output OF the mines must be maintained al
their productive capacity, and in no way
interfered with,
The presidents also made the point that
the ultimatum Of the union to strike on
April / did not give proper time for a dis
cussion of the differences existing and
seemed like a threat held over them.
FavOrs acefu Means.
President Mitchell and his assistants said
they were highly desirous of improving the
condition Of their fellow-workers by peace
full means and that while there was any
prospect of accomplishing this purpose by
such means they were prepared to with
hold the strike order.
President Mitchell agreed to withhold the
strike order temporarily to give opportunity
for the second conference which Senator
Hanna is to call.
When Senator Hanna came from the con-
ference room he said: THE miners repre-
sentatives have pledged themselves to with
draw the threat Of a partial strike on April
/. Both sides are to take time to consider
the representations made today and in
thirty days, or at all. the committee is to
meet and hear the results of this agree
meBt. IN agreement seems likely"
Mr.. Straus said: I'VE are very hopeful
that there will be an agreement that will
prevent a long and disastrous strike"
Neither Mr.. Mitchell nor any of the coal
operators would discuss the conference or
the general situation for publication.
Mitchem's OficIal Notice.
President Mitchell tonight sent the fol-
lowing telegram to the secretaries of the
anthracite districts:
We held. a conference with presidents of
coal-carrying railroads and Cancellation
committee OF the National Civic federation
To-Day. After discussing the situation the
civic federation requested postponement OF
action for a period not TO exceed thirty
days, within which. time operators agree
federation for the purpose OF trying 10
reconcile differences between us. In the
meantime the mines are TO continue in
questions at issue will be Enthusiastically a
Justed ana a strike averted. Notify ali
mine workers to defer action upon resolu-
ton adopted at Shamokin convention.
JOHN MITCHELL.
7. D. NICHOLS,
JOHN FAHEY,
THOMAS DUFFEY,
Senator Hanna returned to Washington
this evening.