The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-04-01
THE LABOR C0kF.RENCE
MINE WORKERS AND OPERATORS DIS
CUSS IHItR DIFFERENCES.
THE CANCELLATION COMMITTEE
OF he National Civic Federation
Gives n Long Hearing to the Men.
The D.nsnn - of the Miners Re-
fused by the Operators-The Order
for . Strike on April 1st Held Back
"a There can be Another Confer
rnce-Senator Hanna Thinks an
Agreement Likely.

New York. March Chime workers
and mine owners OF the anthracite
fields debated their differences for four
hours today in a conference arrange
by the Cancellation committee Of the ma
tional civic federation. but the meeting
was without result save that the work
ers agreed not OF strike on April LIST as
decreed at the Shamoken convention.
There is to be further friendly discus
sion between the two interests and Sem
ator Hanna, as chairman of the indus
trial 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 declined to grant the
demands as to time and pay and re-
fused 10 permit the complete unioniza-
ton of their properties. The operators
offered to meet employees with griev-
anceS at any time, but insisted that
there be no distinction between union
n ~non-union men. They also asserted
that present market conditions did not
warrant any increase in wages or de-
crease in working time.
enato Hanna, Oscar otraus and
Frank Duncan, a committee named by
the cOnciliators, for the con-
ference which was held at the church
mission house. The operators present
were w. H. Truesdale, president of the
Delaware, Lackawanna and Western
railroad; E. B. Thomas, chairman Of
the board of the Erie railroad; George
S. Baer OF the Reading railroad and
Robert Oliphant, president Of the Della
ware and Hudson while the
spokesman for the miners were John
Mitchell, president OF the United Mine
Workers Association, ano District
Presidents Thomas Nichols, John Fahy
and Thomas Duffy.
The labor leaders commended that the
men were not given satisfactory pay
and there were inequalities in the pres
ent wage system which should be RENE
died by the adoption Of a uniform scale.
They also held that the working day
should be shortened.
The operators commended that the
higher pay and shorter day demanded
would represent a wage increase Of 25
per cent, which commercial conditions
did not warrant.
The presidents of the coal COMPANIES
outlined the propositions above given
and said that under no circumstance
would they recede.
The presidents also made the point
that the ultimatum of the union to
strike o n April 1st did not give proper
time for a discussion OF the differences
existing and seemed like a threat held
over them.
President Mitchell and his assistants
said they were highly des.rous OF i'm
proving the condition Of their fellow
workers by peaceful mean and that
while there was any prospect Of ac-
complishing their purpose with such
means they were prepared TO withhold
the strike order. Mr.. Mitchell agreed
to withdraw the order temporarily to
give opportunity for the second confer
ence, which Senator Hanna is to call.
When Senator Hanna came from the
conference room he said an agreement
seemed likeIy.