The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-04-18
COAL HANDLERS
MAY QUIT WORK
Relations Between Men and
Employers Are Strained.
SEVERAL CONFERENCES HELD
Engineers Held Meeting Last Night and
Decided TO Leave Matter In Hands
Of 0ffcars.

These are critical moments for the coal
industry OF this city and the results OF
the conferences between tho officials Of
the unions and the employers are awaited
by many with almost ated breath
The trouble that had been brewing for
some time past came 10 a head yester-
day afternoon when some Of the men OF
the holsting engineers union took sum-
mary action when asked 70 consider
themselves no longer as members of the
union.
This action was taken on the part OF
the coal men when IL was seen that the
time for the signing OF the old agree
ment or new one had past last Satur-
day being the time when the old agree
ment expired. When yesterday morning
the men all went. 10 work as usual with
out any understanding as TO the agrees
ment under which the work OF the next
year was to be done, by some it was
construed to mean that there would be
no further action by the men. After the
dealers had talked the matter over. hav-
ing waited for communication from the
men. some OF the engineers OF the East
ern Coal company were called into the
office and asked 10 sign for employment
as individuals This the men mentioned
refused to do. Five OF the engineers were
thus approached and took the same stand
after which they were told that they
should consider themselves no longer in
the employ AT the company. The remain
ing six OF this craft employed there hear
ing OF the action taken decided to quit
work also as did the shovelers.
This was done in tho afternoon late
and the officials OF the union were then
looked up by the men and the situation
explained. The officials then decided TO
call a meeting last evening TO consider
the matter In the meantime, the Off
cials OF the union tried TO get a confer
ence with the dealers on the agreement
but none could be had the word being
given out that no agreement at all would
The matter has been In the air for
some time and some weeks ago the
central body endorsed the agreements of
the unions interested. This was before
the coal handlers and the hosting en-
gineers withdrew from the coal handlers
transportation council.
When these agreements were presented
10 the dealers they considered them. but
looking TO their own conditions at this
time decided TO ask the coal workers 10
accept a proposition OF the dealers for
this year. which was that the men con-
tinue to work under the old agreement ror
this year. This had proven satisfactory
to all except In one particular instance
last summer, when an Interpretation OF
a clause relating to permanent engineers
was not exactly to the satisfa ction of al
the men.
To cover that a new agreement was
drafted and presented 10 the central body
for endorsement making the stipulation
that any engineer employed for one week
should be considered as permanent and
his pay should not be s. per day. as was
stipuate ted for the transient engineers. bu,
he should be rated on the pay OF the
permanent man, whether there was work
for him or not. This seemed TO many as
somewhat radical. But the whole was
endorsed
When the agreement was taken back
10 the men for endorsement last week
each Of the unions voting on the propo-
sition OF the dealers, the coal teamsters
voted 10 accept the proposition and the
engineers and shovelers decided TO reject
II. This led to the withdrawal OF those
delegates from the council.
That done there seemed TO be no effort
further made to settle the difference.
and the agreement was allowd to expire
last Saturday without further action or
the part OF the men or any further notice
being sent to the dealers. II was knowr
that Mr.. J. r. Lyons WAS coming TO thi,
city TO try and adjust matters and wher
he arrived yesterday the conferences men
toned above were held. meeting wa:
called last evening to talk over the situa
ton and Mr.. Lyons addressed the mer
on the subject.
The meeting last evening was the direc
outcome OF the effort yesterday TO effec
an individual agreement with the men
Mr.. Brady was present at the session 4
represent the central body and to advise
moderation. He did this with the resu
that several attempts will be made this
morning for further conferences and q
try and settle the trouble without
strike. Efforts will be made TO confer
with those In authority in the leadinl
coal Offices OF the city, after which there
Will he a conference Of the officials o
the union with Mr.. Brady and Mr.. Lyons
The men stand in readiness TO strike Il
necessary. but wish 10 exhaust every pos
sihle peaceable means OF settlement before
using such strenuous measures.
Mr.. Lyons stated that should a strike
be called the men here will be supported
in their contention by the unions all over
the country. Mr.. Boyle. who Is the presi-
dent OF the Coal Handlers union, local
523. stated that the men were at work
and would remain az work unless they
chose 10 quit Of their own accord till
such time as the general order for a strike
hean issupd