The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-03-28

New York. March 2s.-Mine workers
and mine owners OF the anthracite fields
debated their differences for four hours
yesterday In conference arranged by the
conciliation committee of the Nationa!
Civic Federation. but the, meeting was
without result, except that the workers
agreed not TO strike on April ], as they
had decided 10 do at the shamokin Con-
vention.
There is TO be further friendly discus
sion between the two interests. and Sena-
tor Hanna as Chairman OF the Industrial
department OF the Federation was en-
powered to call another conference at
any favorable time within the next 80
days.
The workers asked for an increase In
nav, shortening of the working day TO
eight hours, and the adoption OF scale
for the entire district. The operators
declined to grant the demands as to the
time and pay and refused 10 permit the
complete unionization OF their properties.
The operators offered TO meet employees
with grievances at any time, but In
sisted that there be no distinction be-
tween union and non-union men.
They also asserted that present market
conditions did not warrant any increase
Senator Hanna, Oscar Straus and
Frank Duncan. with substitute com
mittee named by the conciliators. ar
ranged for the conference. IL was held
at the Church Mission House. The
operators present were w. III. Truesdale
President of the Delaware, Lackawanna
and Western Railroad; +. b. Thomas.
Chairman of the board of the Erie Rail-
road: George s. Baer of the Reading
Railroad, and Robert Olyphant, Presi-
dent OF the Delaware and Hudson COM
pany. while the spokesrnen for the miners
were John Mitchell, President OF tho
United Mine Workers association, and
three District Presidents OF that organi-
zation-Thomas Nichols, John Fahey and
zation.-Thomas Nichols John Fahey
and Thomas Duffy.
THE DISCUSSION.
The discussion was of wide range and
covered the entire situation. The labor
leaders-contended that the men were
not receiving satisfactory pay and that
there were inequalities in the present
wage system which should be remedied
by the adoption OF uniform scale. They
also held that the working day should
be shortened. The operators contended
that the higher pay and shorter day
demanded would represent a wage in
crease Of 25 per cent, And that as com
mercal conditions did not warrant any
increase I'm the price Of coal no such con-
cessions could be made.
The presidents OF the coal companies
outlined three propositions and said
that under no circumstances would they
recede from them. Those propositions
were as follows:
First-There should be no distinction
between union and non-union men.
Second-That the officials OF the com
panies would meet committees consist
ing Of employees TO discuss and adjus
committees must be persons In the en-
all differences. The memberse OF th'
ploy OF the companies. but the matter
OF their appointment would not be In
auired into. either as 20 their religion
politics or membership In labor organi
cations.
Third--That the coal must be prepared
TO meet the market requirements an'
that the output of the mines must b'
maintained at their productive oapaoit!
and In no way interferred with.
NOT TIME ENOUGH.
The presidents also made the poin
that the ultmatun Of the union q
strike on April I did not give prope
time for a discussion of the difference
existing. and seemed like threat he'll
over them.
President Mitchell and his associate
said that they were highly desirous o
improving the condition OF their felo,
workers by peaceful means. and tha
while there was any prospect Of accom-
plishing their purpose by such mean
they were prepared 20 withhold th
strike order.
Mr.. Mitchell agreed to Withdraw tn
order temporarily. 20 give opportunite