Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-03-28
ONE POINT GAINED.
Miners Agree Not to Strike,
April |, As Intended.
No Change at Lowell and Strike
Seems Certain, Monday.
New Bedford Operatives Will Have
Another Conference, Today.

New YORK, March ZI.-Mlne workers
and mine owners of the anthracite
fields debated their differences for four
hours, today, in a conference arranged
by the Cancellation committee of the
National Civic Federation, but the
meeting was without result, except that
the workers agreed not to strike on
April l. as they had decided to DO at
the Shamokin convention. There is to
be further friendly discussion between
the two interests and Senator Hanna,
as chairman of the industrial depart
ment of the Federation, was empower
ed to call another conference at any
favorable time within the next 80 days.
The workers asked for an increase in
pay, a shortening of the working day
to hours and the adoption of a scale
for the entire district. The operators
declined to grant the demands as to
time and pay and refused to permit
the complete unioniZation of their
properties. The operators agreed to
meet the employees with grievances at
any time, but insisted that there be no
distinction between union and nom
union men. They also asserted that
present market conditions did not war
rant any increase in wages or a de-
crease in working time.
Senator Ha1na, Oscar Straus and
Frank Duncan, with sub committee
named by the conciliators, arranged
for the conference. 1t was held at the
Church Mission house. The operators
present were: w. H. Truesdale, presi-
dent Of the Delaware, Lackawanna &
Western Railroad; E. B. Thomas,
chairman of the board of the Erie Rail-
road; George S. Baer, of the Reading
Railroad, and Robert Oliphant, presi-
dent of the Delaware & Hudson Co,
while the spokesman for the miners
were John Mitchell, president of the
United Mine Workers Association, and
three district presidents of that organ
ization-Thomas Nichols, John Fahy
and Thomas Duffy.
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 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. and that
as commercial conditions did not war
rant any increase in the price of coal,
no such concessions could be made.
The presidents of the coal companies
outlined three propositions and said
that under no circumstances would
they recede from them. Those propo-
sitiOns were as follows:
First-There should be no distinction
between union and non-u union men,
Second-That the officials of the COM
panies would meet committees consist
ing of employees to discuss and adjust
all grievances. The members of the
committees must be persons in the en-
ploy of the companies, but the matter
of their appointment would not be in
CURED into, either as to their religion.
politics or membership in labor organ
izations.
Third-That the coal must be pre-
pared to meet the market requirements
and that the output of the mines must
be maintained at their productive
capacity, and in no way interfered
with.
The presidents also made the point
that the ultimatum of the union to
strike, April l, did not give proper>time
for discussion of the differences exist
ing and seemed like threat held over
them. President Mitchell and his asso-
ciates said that they were highly de-
sirous of improving the condition of
their fellow workers by peaceful means
and that while there was any prospect
of accomplishing their purpose by such
means they were prepared to withhold
the strike order.
Mr.. Mitchell agreed to withdraw the
order temporarily to give opportunity
for the second conference which Sena-
tor Hanna is to call. When Senator
Hanna came from the conference room
he said:
The miners representatives have
pledged themselves to withdraw the
threat of a partial strike, April l. Both
sides are to take time to consider the
representations made, today, and in 80
days or at CALL the committee is to
meet and hear the results of this delib-
Grafton. An agreement seems likely"
Continued on page 81