The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-06-04
Shall It Be Repeated2

It seems hardly credible that the an
thracite coal miners can seriously con-
template repetition Of the disastrous
strike of last year, yet at the meeting OF
the three district boards Of the anthracite
miners of the United Mine Workers OF
America at Wilkesbarre, yesterday. 1t was
decided to hold a Joint convention at
Potts vile on June Is, to determine wheth-
er work shall be suspended in the mines
on not.
The question at issue is not one of
wages, or hours, for In those respects the
provisions OF the agreement effected in
March thru the anthracite strike COM
mission are accepted and in force. The
mine workers claim that there was ir-
regularity in the selection Of representa-
tives on the Cancellation board for the adj
ijustment Of differences, as provided in the
agreement, there being no stockholders
meeting for the purpose Of appointing the
operators representatives and the APP
pointments having been made by the Of
fcials of the railway companies. The min
ers elected their representatives thru their
executive organization and aver that,under
the circumstances, the board Of concilia-
ton does not possess the equal footing it
was intended to have, as between opera
tors and miners. The operators refuse to
accept the appointees Of the miners. They
issued statement, yesterday, to the ef-
feet that their representatives were APP
pointed as the agreement provides, and
they would accept the men appointed by
4,
the majority of the miners.
The fourth section Of the commissions
award. relating to the board Of concilia-
ton, provides that In each Of the three
mining districts, one member of the board
of Cancellation shall be appointed by ma
jority of the miners in such district, max
ing three miners representatives on the
board, land three other persons shall be
appointed by the operators, the opera
tors in each of said districts appointing
one person. making three operators rep
resentatives. This board Of six represent
atives Of miners and operators, constitut-
ing the board Of Cancellation, shall take up
and consider all differences presented and
all evidence obtainable, and the award of
q
inability to decide, the question at issue is
! to be referred to an umpire appointed by
one of the federal circuit judges Of that
circuit, and no work must be suspended
pending the umpire's decision
These provisions do not prescribe, as to
the choice Of operators members Of the
Cancellation board any more than that they
shall be appointed one for each district
while the miners representatives are tt
be appointed in each district by organiza.
lions representing majority Of the min.
ers In each district. Such Is the provis
ion for the makeup of the board Of con.
Citation. The operators contend that the
miners representatives were appointed BY
the executive committees of the miners
organizations and do not represent tn,
The public regards any prospect Of
rupture and reputation Of the strike com
missions award with profound reproba
ton and disgust. The question now a
issue is one which can be adjusted, If op
orators and miners have any considera
ton for the public interests, which canno
safely be ignored, and for their own vel
fare, which will be greatly impaired by
prolonged strike. Before the Pottsvill
meeting Is held, It will be eninently ra
tional if both these parties. apparentl
sharpening their swords, will entertai
some sober second thought. It, Is, indeed
possible that the combine of the COS
roads, in spite of, the fnesse Of Baer q
the Reading railway may be remorselessl
brought under the ponderous trip hamme
of the new antitrust and anti-rebate leg
islation.