The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-11
TESTOFSTRENGTH
Clash Between Coal Miners and
Operators Is Coming.
The Union Is Determined to
Obtain Recognition.
WILL NOT BE BOUND
By Rulings of Roosevelt Com
mission Without 1t.
They viii Be Backed by the
American Federation.
WILL NOT BE BOUND

Philadelphia, Nov. 11.-A special
dispatch from Shamolzin, Pa, 10 the
Evening Telegraph says
A complete canvass of The Lacka-
wanna, Schuylkil and Lehigh coal dis
tricts shows that the miners through
their delegates to the United Mine
Workers convention to be held here
beginning December IA. viii refuse to
be bound after April 1 next, by re-
newal of the award of the anthracite
coal strike commission appointed by
President Roosevelt. unless the opera
tors ia addition agree to the union be
coming a signatory party.
From first hand source the forecast
Of the condition asked is justified
A committee representing the union
miners will be instructed to wait upon
the operators and request a confer
euce.
This committee will explain to the
operators, if granted the opportunity
that the conference is asked 50 InSI d
mutual agre eenent may be reacheQ ~
TO the terms of employment at all
collieries after April l.
The convention Will take stand Iof
AN eight hour work day, uniform pay
for classes of employees not rated as
miners and specific terms OF employ
ment but this viii be held SUBJECT 20
a Joint discussion and viii not pc
0btruded in advance Of the request 1or
q conference.
should the operators issue or post q
notice of their intention or willingness
to continue in force the commission 5
award i'm advance of the conVentloi
such notice viii be disregarded. 1t Is
said, by the convention unless ao-
dressed to that body, the union or TO
one or more of its representative
Failing to get the consent or the
operators to meet represent llgs5s So. VI
the union, the convention VIII adjourn
to allow further negotiations and Tor
final instructions from local unions IN
an three districts
In the event of the operators reLus-
ing to meet or discuss with union rep
resentatives the ShamOkfu convention
viii announce the refusal OF the 1O0'-
600 union mine workers to be longer
bound by the terms of the commits
siOu's award
RECOGNITION of the union in short is
to be the aim and goal Of the conven-
ton and to obtain this John Mitchell,
backed up by a strengthened organiza-
ton. the American Federation of La
bOr and every influence which ne can
command. stands committed.
ON the other hand, the operators
while avowedly favoring the execution
of the award. are testing the consutu-
tionality of the miners ceruncate law
and should the decision Of the super
ior court be in their favor, it viii IN
tcnsify the miners demand for a writ
ten contract.
Thomas D. Nichols president OF
tine United Mine Workers district No
which includes the upper or Laclza-
wanna mines and who is one of the
three union representatives on The
board of Cancellation which passes or
differences between the operators ane
employees, said:
s'The practical workings of tho
award have fallen far short of the
miners expectations The board OF
Cancellation has not been able to adjusi
differences speedily enough to secure
the benefits presumably intended by
hte commission"