Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-06-03
MAY STOP MINE WORK
United Mine Workers Want
 Recognition of Officers.
ON THE BOARD OF CANCELLATION.
By the Operators Failing This R General Suspension of Mining Work May Ensue I'm the
 Anthracite Region.

Anthracite Region.
 WILKESBARRE, Pa, June 3.-An- other dark strike cloud has loomed up on the horizon of the anthracite coal region The executive boards of the United Mine Workers, in session here, indorsed the selection of their three district presidents on the board of con- ciliation authorized by the strike com mission, and if these members are not recognized by the opera tors the execu- tive boards will contemplate calling a convention of mine workers to declare, general suspension of work until their members are given recognition.
 The district presidents, as a result of the meeting, issued the following statement on the dispute:
 At joint meeting of the executive boards of the anthracite region here the members selected to represent the mine workers of each district on the conciliation board reported that the representatives of the operato re- fused to recognize them or the mine workers credentials or accept them as members of the conciliation board. They reported that the operators ob- jected on the ground that the mine workers representatives were appoint ed by their organization as it exists in each district. The award of the com mission relative to the manner of se- lecting the members of the conciliation board provides as follows:
 "'That is to say, if there shall be division of the whole region into three districts, in each of which there shall exist an organization representing majority of the mine workers of each district, one member of said boards of conciliation shall be appointed by each of said organizations and three other persons shall be appointed by the op- orators. the operators in each of said districts appointing one person.
 ''The district boards are still of the opinion that they appointed their rep resentatives as provided for by the section of the award and voted unani- mously to reaff1rm their former action. The district officers have been exceed ingly anxious to have the conciliation board form and meet for the purpose of adjusting many grievances which have accumulated and to this end have been bending their energies. The off, cers have advised where grievances arose that the men would not strike and where strikes occurred ordered them back to work pending decision by the conciliation board, which they hoped would soon be formed in ac- cordance with the commissions award.
 1.-Two questions were under consider 0{iNY3 hwy 10 Y17onfinop to oIyn n application to the national president of the mine workers to issue an order for a general suspension of work through out the whole anthracite region, to con- tinue until the operators agree to ad- just existing grievances and live up to the award of the anthracite coal strike commission. The second Is that dele gate convention be called to consider the advisab bility of taking the above ac- tion."
 Another meeting will be held today to decide as to whether suspension of work shall be ordered. A.
 A district officer when asked if the objections of the operators could not be removed if the mine workers selected their representatives on the board by IudJOE1Ly VOCG OL Iulu0TS E0pl1Su that it was not likely such step would be taken. If the operators demanded that, he said, the miners had as much right to ask that the company representa- tives be selected by vote of the stock. holders.
 twill the miners quit work if they are called out?" was asked. \
 "Yes; every man will come out. The 30,O0O men in the Schuylkill region whom we ordered back to work win not hesitate to come out again, and there are acute grievances in every re- zion which will cause suspension if such step is decided upon. The dis trict officers have counseled the miners to remain at work pending the settle ment of the trouble by the conciliation board, but if this board cannot be or ganized there is nothing else for them to do but quit." ! National President Mitchell believes that the miners representatives on the board are legally chosen, and the dis trict officers are evidently acting on his advice.
 If no word from the operators is forthcoming the anthracite region will experience another struggle which will attract the attention of the world. It will be bitter fight to the end