The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1902-11-24
INDEPENDENT Nine OWNERS
WILL DEMAND RECOGNITION IN
ANY NEW AGREEMENT.
If an Increase In Wages is Decided Upon
They VIII Want some Concession
from the Coal Carrying Roads in
Order to Compensate Thsm-Rsprs-
ssntatives of Big Companies In New
York for Instructions

Scranton, Pa, Nov. 23.-The position
, to be taken by the independent coal OPP
orators with regard to the tentative
agreement between the large coal COM
panies and the mine workers to settle
! their dispute outside the anthracite
coal strike commission, but with the
conciliatory assistance of the arbitra-
tors, has not yet been definitely decided
upon. The independents had meet
ing last night at which were present
the representatives of about twenty-six
companies, and a committee of nine
was appointed to go to New York on
Tuesday for the purpose of meeting the
presidents of the coal-carrying railroads
and learn from them what the inde-
pendent companies are to expect pro-
vioing they agree to adjust the labor
dispute without arbitration. This de-
cision was not reached until the inde-
pendent operators attorney, Ira H.
| Burns, of Scranton, had made a report
| of the conference he attended at which
were present all the attorneys for the
large companies and the miners and the
| "conciliation" or subcommittee of the
commission.
Until they learn what the large COM
panies intend to do the independents
will make no positive stand beyond that
which they took in the hearing before
| :. Co. no
was to the effect that they object to
| the commission approving any agree
ment in which the independent opera
tors are not included. w. l.. Connell,
of the Greenride Coal company, Is the
chairman Of the committee of the inde-
pendents. The independent operators
will make firm stand for some recog-
milton in the matter of a settlement
with the miners. The independents
| feel that If an increase in wages Is
agreed upon they will want some con-
cession from the coal-carrying railroads
| in order to compensate them for grant
| ing an increase to the miners. They do
not sell their product directly to the
consumer, it Is understood, but turn 1t
over to the coal-carrying railroads, who
give the individual concerns, generally
| speaking 65 cents on every dollar, re-
tanning 35 cents for hauling and selling
the coal.
| The independents say that If wages
are increased the large companies have
| it within their power to increase the
price of coal to the consumer, or main
tain the present high price at the mines,
which was fixed by some companies
after the strike in order to compensate
them for the damage entailed during
the suspension. The independents say
| they must take what the companies
give them-65 cents on the dollar-but
will make an effort to have it increased
Ito 20 or rs cents on the dollar.
| 1t is understood that whatever agree
ment is submitted to the strike COM
mission for approval must first have to
be approved by all the companies.
| The large coal companies have been
gradually absorbing the independent
companies, and it is believed to be only
question of time when the large COM
panies will have control of all Of them.
| There has as yet been no definite time
set for the holding of conferences be-
| tween the representative of the large
companies and the mine workers. At
torneys and other persons representing
the big companies have gone to New
York and Philadelphia for instructions
and authority to act. Nothing will be
done here until they return, with power
to act.
While nothing has been agreed upon,
| the best forecast that can be made at
Il.
in the neighborhood of a 10 per cent.
! increase, nine-hour day, the weighing
! of coal to be adjusted as best it can,
and agreements between the men and
the company by whom they are en-
ployed. The four principal demands of
the miners are for a 20 per cent. in
crease, an eight-hour day, weighing of
coal wherever practicable by the ton,
and yearly trade agreements.