The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-11
Correspondence with Mr.. Mitchell and
Resume of the Civic Federation
Arbitration Conference.
MR.. WRIGHT'S WORK COMPLETED
FACTS AND FIGURES CLEANED FROM
OPERATORS AT NEW YORK.
Return of President Mitchell to
WiIkesbarre-MOre Mines Closed
in the Two Virginias.

NEW YORK, June 10.-The presidents of
the coal roads Immediately affected by the
strike of the anthracite coal miners made
public to-day letters and kilograms which
have passed between the operators and
President Mitchell and other representa-
tives Of the United Mine Workers
The first letter on the list is that of Pres
ident George F. Baer, of the Central Rail-
road of New Jersey. dated Philadelphia,
Feb. is, 1902, and addressed, as were all re-
plies. the operators say to John Mitchell,
president, and Others at Indianapolis. Mr..
Baer declines the invitation sent Feb. IA,
1902. from Indianapolis. asking the Central
Railroad of New Jersey Company to send a
representative to a joint conference of op-
orators and miners on March II at Scran-
ton, Pa. the object of the conference to
be the formation of a wage scale for the
year beginning April 1, 1902, and ending
March 81, 1903. Among other things, Mr..
Baer says: In the judgment of the
company L represent it is impra racticable
to form a wage scale for the whole an
thracite region. This company does not fa-
vor the plan of having its relations with
the miners disturbed every year. We will
always receive and consider every applica-
ton OF the men in our employ. We will en-
deavor to correct every abuse, to right ev-
cry wrong, to deal justly and fairly with
them The objection to your proposition is
not alone the impracticability of forming a
uniform scale of wages, but it is to the di-
vided allegiance it creates. Discipline is
essential in the conduct of all business. 1t
is of vital Importance in mining operations,
where the disobedience of one man may
endanger the lives of hundreds of his fell
low-workmen. You cannot have discipline
when the employe disregards and disobeys
the reasonable orders and directions in the
conduct of business of his superior officer,
relying upon some outside power to sustain
him. A careful analysis of the results of
last years operations shows that the eff
cheney of our own mines has decreased
200 tons because the contract miners
have worked only four and half to six
hours day"
MR.. TRUESDALE'S REPLY.
President W. H. Truesdale. of the Lacka-
wanna, writing from New York Feb. is, 1902
to the miners officials, also declines to
send a representative to the joint confer
ence and says In part: The situation and
conditions vary widely as respects the min
ing of anthracite coal in the different fields
Ii must be manifest therefore TO any one
familiar with those conditions that il is en-
tirely impractcable TO adjust these wage
questions in the anthracite regions in any
general convention or mass meeting COM
rosed OF all the mine owners In the anthra-
cite fields and representatives of all their
employees, or in any other manner than as
heretofore l. e, direct between employer
and employe.
President E. B. Thomas, of the Erie. has
this TO say in his letter dated New York
Feb 20. 1902: so far the apparent effect
of your association has been that at no time
during the last twenty years has a greater
spirit of unrest and agitation prevailed
among the anthracite miners than has ex-
listed during the past year. Notwithstand-
ing the advance in wages the depreciation
i'm the quantity of work produced per man
has amounted 20 about u per cent and
from April 10 Oct. l there have been no
less than l02 Interruptions OF work Occa-
stoned BY unwarranted demands and agita-
ton BY members OF your association result
ing in q loss OF over 900 days work and over
coo 900 tons OF production. Most OF them
were brought about by unwarranted causes
and there has been an apparent disposi-
ton on the part OF the younger element
10 keep the whole territory in a condition
OF unrest. 1t is the inalienabie right OF
man to labor. and this without regard to
nationality. creed or association To seek