The evening Republican., 1902-05-05
THE MINING PROBLEM
Hanna Says Late Conferences
Were Satisfactory.
CIVIC FEDERATION CAN Do NO MORE.
1t Brought Together Representatives
Of Miners Union and Operators
In y Friendly Meeting-The
Senator still Hopeful.

PHILADELPHIA, May 5.-Senator
Hanna in an interview .characterlzea
the situation In the anthracite coal re-
gion as extremely delicate and for that
reason SAID 1t would be unWise for him
to express an opinion as to the proba-
BILE result of the meeting of the execu-
tive committee of the United Mine
Workers for the three anthracite dis
tricts called for next Wednesday at
Scranton. Pa, by Rational President
John Mitchell. Senator Hanna said he
was officially notified by Ralph Nj.
Easlcy. s> rretary of the National Civic
federation, of the statement issued Sat
urday night by President Mitchell in
New York He Immediately wired Mr..
EaSley instructing him to refrain from
calling another meeting of the concilia-
ton committee, as that procedure
would be useless in view Of the latest
development.
Senator Hanna said he had been
awaiting a report from the s1lbcommit-
tee Of the corctliation committee, but
that Mr.. MitchelIs statement had an
ticipatsd it. 'rhc work of the concilia-
ton committee was ended, said the
senator, when it brought together the
operators and the representatives OF
the miners union. and he added that
nothing more could be done unless
there We're some new developments.
II want to emphasize the fact con-
tinued Senator 3anlla, that the con-
fercnces between the operators and
miners were satisfactory. Three con-
feranccs were held, and the proceed
ings were conducted in the best spirit
think the operators formed Il favora-
bic impression of Mr.. Mitchell and
gave him credit for honesty and sin
cerity in his efforts to change the CON
ditions of the miners. On the other
hand. Mr.. Mitchell appreciated the con-
sideraton shown him and the interests
he represents. Unless bitter and pro-
tracicd strike should occur l believe
much good will come out Of the confer
ences am of the opinion that they
will lend to better conditions between
capital and labor.
II ann in favor of meetings between
employers and employees TO consider
differences. | want the people to thor
oushly understand the position of the
Civic federation: 1t can do only two
things, exert its influence To prevent q
strike or arbitrale when a rupture has
occurred at the request of both parties
to the dispute. In this ease the Civic
federation has done all within it's prov
iEce. 1t brought together through its
conciliation committee the representa-
tiyes of the miners union and the oper-
ators.
"In the evolution of%things rapidly
taking place in this country the confer
ence of employers and employees is
one of the conditions that must neces-
eariy be part of it. The progress and
development of our industries must be
accompanied by the development and
Improvement of the laborins class.
"rhe peculiar situation Of the an
thracite mining industry" continued
the senator, makes the proposition
most difficult The combination Of the
railroad and mining interests brings
forward the question Of tonnage, and
this, with threatened competition from
the enormous production of bituminou5
coal. constitutes matters which must
be considered. This is the foundation
Of the operators argument. 1t is not a
mere selfish interest that impeIs them
to the stand they have taken. but the
proposition'is is difficult to explain to the
rank and file of the workers in and
about the mines 1t is my hope that
when they are educated to understand
these conditions they may be consider
ate and not governed by prejudice in
future actions"