The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-11-28
A FTER a conference yesteraay 81


or America. Governor Heber NJ. wells
and President +. T. Holmes Of the Com
mertial club began efforts to bring
about a conference between the oppos-
ing parties and an amicable settlement
OF the Utah coal strike.
Messrs. Eelleher and Evans, who
come as the personal representatives Of
President John Mitchell. brought out a
new phase OF the situation in their talk
with the governor and an interview
with The Herald. They maintain that
recognition OF the union is a subordi-
nate issue. and that q 20 per cent in
crease I'm wages is the principal Ques-
tion. They also declare that the Utah
-liners arc striking because of griev-
aces OF their OWE, and that they wiz
go -acE 90 work when these are recti-
ned, regardless of what the Colorado
miners may do.
Statements at Variance.
Their statements were I'm radical va
rance from tccse of the Utah Fuel
company officials John Mitchell i'm d
, telegram TO Colonel Holmes. took the
same stand as his representatives, and
declared his willingness to meet repre-
sentatives Of the coal company to ar
range an amicable settlement. To clear
) The situation and to arrive at the facts
of the matter. Governor Wells with
Colonel Holmes sent a telegram to
President G.. W. Kramer asking him to
confer with the delegation of miners.
after their conference with Governor
Wells. Mr. kclleher and Mr.. Evans
made a statement TO The Herald Of the
miners side of tho controversy.
This is not a sympathetic strike,
caused by the action OF the Colorado
miners" said Mr.. Keueher. The Utah
miners have grievances OF their own.
II their demands are granted they will
so back TO work regardless OF the ac-
ton of the miners i'm Colorado.
Demand For Increase in Wages.
First, the demand is for a 20 per
cent increase in wages. The price per
ton varies in different mines bat the
average is about so cents a ton. The
number OF tons a man can mine i'm q
n day varies with conditions. but the aver
, age Us about seven tons, the ordinary
miner making 50 TO $3.50 a day.
'Ihe company claims 60 have grant
cd a no per cent increase. but 1 fail TO
nrd any tangible evidence OF this. 7
haven't seen any bulletins posted, as
they claim, and the only way the min
crs know of any such change is
from reading tho statements the COM
pcuy officials have given the newspa-
pCrs. The statement Of company Off
Gals that men are averaging $3.50 TO
1915 a day is not correct.
Another thing asked is check weigh
ing. 7 am told that I'm many instances
tie mon have been forced to mine 5000
no $500 pounds 10 get credit for a
ton. They are willing 90 pay the eN-
penses of check weighman to look
after their interests but the company
refuses to grant this demand.
Better Ventilation Wanted.
"a semi-monthly pay day and bet
ter ventilation for the mines are also
desired. Then i'm different mines there
are less important demands. such as
q stipulation that props shall be kept
handy SO that miner shall not be
forced TO take half a days time look
q ing for them, and that miners shall
not he made TO lose time while rail
SIS being Laid. There are several other
things to De adjusted. which nobody
can understand thoroughly unless he
S. familiar with q coal mine
we are willing 20 be fair and rea-
Fonabie. IF our demands are conceded.
The men VIII go back 20 work. We viii
not hold out for n conference with our
selves as representatives, of the miners
union. but would be glad 20 see "a con-
ference between the company officials
and a delegation of employees. We
shall ask protection. however. for the
men who have taken part i'm this strike.
We shall want an agreement that they
viii not be discharged and. i'm turn. we
viii agree 20 work alongside Of nom
union men without discrimination.
Would Sign Contract.
eff the company officials viii come to
an agreement with u.s. we are willing 20
sign contract that the men shall re-
/. main az work for r year or eighteen
months or any specified time This IS
independent of what may be done in
Colorado.
"At present the coal mines I'm Utah
ere practically an tied up. At sunny
side there are "a work about forty out
OF 500 men. at Clear Greek thIrty-One.
and at Winter Quarters about the same
number. while at the Castle Gate mines
practically all are out At the Somerset
MINES IN Colorado. owned by the same
company. all the $50 men are out
-'f regret that there is such a pretu-
dice here against men from outside the
state. Elsewhere the operators are will
= ing 90 treat with US. and 10 sign con-
tracts. We are anxious for a settle
5 mcnt. and viii do everything reason
able iE our power 20 bring it about"
Are Under Mitchell.
1--WE are working under the direction
OF Mr.. Mitchell" said Mr.. Evans we
wish % take a broad and conservative
stand and 90 bring about an amicable
settlement We wish no violence of
any kind. and earnestly urge against
st. Mr. Mitchell is willing 20 come OUT
here personally TO help settle this strike
ir he IS asked 20 do so by the operators.
We are In constant communication with
him
This is substantially what was tol I
Governor Wells, who had invited Col
oneI Holmes 20 meet with him and the
d representative of the miners because
, Of the c0loners part In appealing TO AIr.
Mitchell for q settlement In response
10 the telegram he sent Colonel Holmes
yesterday received the following dis
patch:
Telegram From Mitchell.
Colonel Edwin r. Holmes. President
: OF salt Lake Commercial Club-Tele-
gram Just received. Utah miners are
not striking in sympathy with miners
OF Colorado. on the contrary they de-
Inond an increase Of 90 per cent in
wages. N9t to exceed three organizers
are stationed in Utah. and it is unrea-
fCuahic 90 suppose that two or three
organizers could intimidate Utah min
ers and prevent their working 81 they
desired. ] am anxious FOR an AMIGA Die