The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-06-15
JOHN MITCHELL IN SCRANTON
PREPARING FOR THE MINERS
CONVENTION TO-DAY.
Mitchell Arrives Unexpect etiiy Day Ahead
OF Ttme-Has Conference with DIR.
Nell Who II to Compute the wages OF
Miners Under the Sliding Scale.

SCRANTON, Pa, June 1.-THE ante
convention roceedings OF the United
Mine Workers took on lively phase with
the arrival Of John Mitchell in this city at
an early hour this morning Mitchell's
movements we're accompanied by the usual
secrecy He came at n time when he was
not expected. after he had written that he
might not be here until Monday morning
He arrived from the West unaccompanied,
was met no one at the train. and was
In bed before his presence here was known
to any one except the hotel clerk. He spent
the day quietly with personal friends
There Is no change in the determination
OF the leaders OF the United Mine Workers
to force the delegates to simply indorse
the selection OF the three district presidents
as conciliators without voting for them by
districts. as the operators want them to do.
Simultaneous with Mitchell. DR. Neil Of
the Catholic University at Washington
reached Scranton. DR.. Neil was assistant
recorder and statistician Of the Anthracite
Strike Commission and few days ago
was appointed by Judge Gray to compute
the wages Of the miners under the sliding
scale. He has already set about the task.
and his object in coming to Scranton is to
nave u tdlk WIFI JONI NltCLlell ana lIe
district presidents.
DR.. Neil said that he had just come from
New York. where he had been in conference
with the head officials of some Of the prin-
cipal coal corporations. On FRIDAY last he
had talked with the coal operators in Phila-
delRhia:
Of the men the increase that they are allowed
under the sliding scale said the doctor.
All the companies will pay the advance
as provided for when it is due. 1t remains
for us to get the system in working order.
The reason the men have been granted
price Of coal has not reached ASS. When
1t does they will get an increase. They
will, however, be able to claim an increase
before the end OF the month, l am given
to understand; Coal is now selling at 81; 10
in New York. but tho average between the
April prices, under which most Of the coal
was delivered during May. and the prices
now obtaining does not exceed N.62
Now, what l want to see Mitchell and
the other leaders about is this: l met one
reached with the miners whereby the
sliding scale advance be paid one month
behind time. Otherwise it means that all
the men will have to be paid twice each
month. The payrolls are arranged from
1t will be impossible to estimate the sliding
scale increase as early as that. This can
be adjusted by adding to the August pay
the amount due the men under the sliding
scale for July. The operators will agree to
this. The miners may not do so That is
the principal reason why ] am here"
DR.. Neil said that he could easily ascer-
Quoted by Mr.. Kelley in Philadelphia, where
the prevailing rates are filed by the COM
panies and where the independent opera
tors secure their reckonings at the end Of
each month.
John Mitchell seen at his hotel at o'clock
this evening, said that he did not think it
wise to say a word concerning what the
convention Tomorrow would do. He an
nounced that owing to the failure of the
Executive Board members to arrive no meet
ing of that body would be held tonight
Before morning. he said, he would probably
hold conference with the three district
presidents. provided Fahey reached the
city At o'clock Mitchell went into con-
ference with DR.. Neil regarding sliding
mi Ia