Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-03-28
STRIKE 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
Miners Leaders Agree to Talk
Things Over.

New York. March 2S.-President
Mitchell last night sent the following
telegram addressed to the secretaries
Of the three anthracite districts: eve
held 4 conference with presidents of
ccal-carrying railroads and conciliation
committee of National Civic Fedora
tion today. After discussing the stu
alton the Civic Federation requested
pOstpOnement of action for q 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 mne 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
Sen TOR 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
ening 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
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 non-union men.
n fn1 l1nf
ket conditions did not warrent any in
crease in wages or 4 decrease in work
ing time.
Men Who Were in Conference.
Senator Hanna. Oscar :. StrauS and
FraaI Duncan. subcommittee named
by the cOnciliatorS, arranged for the
conference. which was held at the
Church Mission Home. The operators
present We're w. II. Truesdale, presi-
de.l of the Delaware. Lackawanna
arll Western railroad: f. r. Thomas.
chairman of the board of the Erie
railroad; George :. Baer. of the Read
ing railroad. and Robert OIyphant.
president of the Delaware and Hudson
company. The SpOkesmen for the min
ers were John Mitchell. president of
the United Mine Workers. and Dis
trIct Presidents Nichols. John Fahpy
and Thomas Duffy. The presidents
made the point that the ultimatum of
the union To strike on April 1 did not
give proper time for discussion of
the differences existing and seemed
like threat held over them.
Mitchell Makes a Concession.
President Mitchell and his assistants
said they We're highly deSirous of i'm
proving the condition of their fellow
workers by peaceful means. and that
while there was any prospect of ac-
cCmplishing their purpose by such
means they We're 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 Straus agreed
with him. Mitchell and his colleagues
refused tO talk