Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1902-04-03
STRIKE A MONTH OFF
That Is the Situation Relative to
the Trouble in the Anthra.
cite Region.
CANCELLATION is TO BE TESTED
Civic Federation. Coal Operators and
ner Leaders Agree to Talk
Things Over.

New York. March 29.-President
Mitchell last night sent the following
telegram addressed to the secretaries
of the three anthracite districts: I'VE
held a conference with presidents Of
c~cal-carrying railroads and Cancellation
committee of National Civic Fedora
ton today. After discussing the stu
alton the Civic Federation requested
postponement of action for a period
not to exceed thirty days, within
which time operators agree to meet
us in conference with Civic Federation
for the purpose of trying to reconcile
differences between us In the mean
time mines are to continue in opera
tion as usual. We are hopeful that
questions at issue will be satisfactor-
lily adjusted and strike averted. No
tify all mine workers to defer action
upon resolution adopted at Shamokin
convention"
Claims of the Two Parties Stated.
The foregoing telegram tells fully
the result of the gathering referred to.
Senator Hanna, as chairman of the in
duStrial department of the Federation,
was empowered to call another confer
ence at any favorable time within
the next thirty days. The workers
asked for an increase in pay, a short
ening 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 refused to permit
the complete unioniZing of their prop
critics. The operators offered to meet
employees with grievances at any time,
but insisted that there be no distinc.
ton between union and n%on-uniOn men.
They also asserted that present mar
ket conditions did not warrent any in.
crease in wages or a decrease in work.
ing time.
Men Who Were in Conference.
Senator Hanna, Oscar S. Straus and
Frank Duncan. subcommittee named
by the cOnciliators, arranged for the
conference, which was held at the
Church Mission Home. The operators
present were w. Ell. Truesdale. presi.
dent OF the Delaware. Lackawanna
and Western railroad: E. B. Thomas.
chairman of the board Of the Erie
railroad; George S. Baer. of the Read
ing railroad. and Robert Olyphant.
president of the Delaware and Hudson
company. The spokesman for the min.
ers were John Mitchell, president of
the United Mine Workers. and Dis.
trict Presidents Nichols. John Fahey
and Thomas Duffy. The presidents
made the point that the ultimatum OF
the union to strike on April | did not
give proper time for a discussion OF
the differences existing and seemed
like a threat held over them.
Mitchell Makes a Concession.
President Mitchell and his assistants
said they were highly DESTROYS of i'm
proving the condition of their fellow
workers by peaceful means, and that
while there was any prospect of ac'
cOmplishing their purpose by such
means they were prepared to withhold
the strike order. Mitchell agreed to
withdraw the order temporarily to give
opportunity for the second conference
which Senator Hanna is to call. When
Senator Hanna came from the confer
ence room he said that an agreement
seemed likely, and Oscar Strauss agreed
with him. Mitchell and his colleagues
TnfJSpd tO talk