The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-12-19
70 MEET OPERATORS
Miners Put Question of Strike Up
to Coal Barons. 49,
WILL PRESENT THEIR DEMANDS

BeeciaI Committee to Lay Them Be.
fore Operators - Won't Demand
Wage increase II Meeting Is Ar
ranged.
Shamokin. Pa, Dec. 16.-The an
lhracite miners have made their lead
and have placed the burden OF the
question whether or not there will be
a strike up to the operators.
In closed session of the conven'
ton here the report Of the scale com
mittec was made and adopted by the
delegates. The report recommended
the delegation OF committee to meet
the operators representatives and
confer upon an agreement to govern
wages. hours Of labor and other con-
ditions of employment The result OF
| the endcayors of this committee Is to
/ be made known TO the miners for APP
proval or rejection al convention to
be held prior 10 April next. when
the agreement at present existing ex'
pires.
! President Mitchell strongly protested
against the act OF assembly asking
miners and operators TO contribute
funds for the maintenance OF homes
for aged coal workers Mr.. Mitchell
argued that the men paid taxes for
poor houses and should not contribute
to the homes. Since the passage OF the
act the latter has remained inoper-
alive because of no appropriations
having been made.
Delegates are rcticent relating TO
the power OF their special committee.
They said the committee would take
good care of their interests and that
the eighthour day would be strongly
fought for as well as recognition OF
the union.
II is thought the special committee
viii prepare a list OF demands within
the next week or two and then set out
in their attempt to reach the coal
companies The demands TO be laid
before the companies will be kept
strict secret until after the coal OPP
orators have been seen. If an agree
mont is reached some of the demands
that may be refused may never be
known In case there IS a fiat refusal
OF the coal companies to treat, all OF
the miners demands will doubtless be
made public through the press.
A member OF the wage scale COM
mittee said This action was largely
due to the great number OF sugges-
lions and resolutions submitted 10 the
committee bearing on the recognition
and the eight-hour demand. There
were about 100 resolutions in each in
stance. and. while the committee and
delegates were practically of one mind
as regards essentials. ii was thought
best not 70 haggle over form.
Therefore the wage scale drafting
features were referred 10 a commit
tee. as all resolutions introduced by
the committee on resolutions will be
referred. predict that if the oper-
ators will agree to meet us no ad-
vance In wages over and above the
award of the anthracite coal commits
sion will be insisted upon by the
miners.
ANY clear-minded person will ap-
preciate that the action OF the con-
vontion puts the question OF war or
peace up TO the operators"
A few minor questions were brought
before The convention today, the prin-
cipal business having been finished on
Friday. There was no hint as to where
the next convention will be held to
act on the report of the special COM
mittee BY the convention held here
in March. 1902. a strike was ordered
to take effect April ! unless through
the Civic Federation the concessions
the miners demanded of shorter hours
and increased wages be granted. On
April a truce of 30 days was de-
clared. but the operators remained
firm. and on Monday, May 2. 1902, the
anthracite mines shut down.