The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-02-15
MINE CONFERENCE
OPENS AT NEW YORK
Continued from page one.

Among those attending the meeting are:
George r. Baer OF the Philadelphia and
Reading railroad; w. II. Truesdale, presi-
dent Of the Delaware, Lackawanna and
Western Railroad company; T. p. Fowler,
president OF the New York, Ontario and
Western railroad; +. d. Underwood presi-
dent OF the Erie railroad; r.. Il. Thomas,
president of the Lehgh Valley railroad
David Wilcox. president OF the Delaware
and Hudson company.
The independent operations are repre-
sented by Frank Pardee OF Haseton. Pa.
and J. l.. Oake OF Pittston, Pa; w. l..
Conneil OF Scranton, Pa. an independent
operator. who is president OF the anthra-
cite board of Cancellation, is also in at
tendance.
The Pennsylvania railroad is not di-
rectly repres cnted, 1t NOT having been. in
vited 70 the conference, but will abide
by any action taken by the presidents
OF the other coal carrying railways
In case technical discussion shall en-
sue, after the miners have formally made
known their grievances, the operators will
call i'm officials Of the various coal com
panies who have a practical knowledge OF
the mining conditions. Among them are
a. L. Law, manager Of the Temple Iron
company; General Manager Dryden OF the
Scranton Coal company; w. A. May, SUI
perintendent OF the Erie railroad; Colonel
X. A. Philips OF the Delaware, Lacka-
wanna and Western railroad; c. c. Ross
OF the Delaware and Hudson railroad:
S, i. Warriner OF the Lehigh Valley and
w. ID. Richards general mining superin-
tendept OF the Philadelphia and Reading
Coal and Iron company.
Messrs. Warmer and Richards are mem
bers OF the anthracite board of concila-
ton.
The proposals to be presented to the
coal mine operators by the union repre-
sentatives today have not been made pub
lie but more or less acurate reports OF
their nature have leaked out.
IL has been learned from various
sources. that among tho proposals to be
submitted. are those for an eight-hou
day without any reduction I'm wages for
all employees paid by the hour, day or
week a uniform wage scale I'm the three
anthracite districts for the different class
es OF employment; adequate compensation
for dead work." performed by contract
miners; reconstruction OF tho board OF
conciiation: an Increase in wages from 10
10 90 per cent for all commission men, the
adoption OF a system by which coal shall
be paid for by weight wherever practi-
cable and the recognition of the union.
The United Mine workers in the anthra-
cite region have nevtr been entirely sat-
isied with the award OF the strike COM
mission. The men gained considerable
through the award but they feel that they
did not receive all they are Justly entitled
TO.
The principal awards made by the COM
mission in 1903 briefly stated were:
Ten per cent Increase in wages for all
contract miners.
Eight-hour day without any reduction
In pay for engineers employed in hoisting
water
Five per cent In wages for engineers
and pumpmen other than those engaged
In hosting" water.
Eight CUR day for fremen without re-
duction IN pay.
Nine-hour day for ali employees paid
by tho hour, day or the week, except
those mentioned above.
A conciliation board OF six, three repre-
senting the miners and three the opera
tors, 10 settle disputes growing out Of
different interpretations of the commits
fion's award.
A sliding scale giving all employees IN
increase OF / per cent. in compensation
for each increase OF five cents In the aver
age price OF coal sold I'm New York harbor
above $50 a ton, I. o. b.
Before they went into conference today
the operators and the Representatives OF
the men were hopeful OF an amicable
agreement.
The costly experience Of both sides In
the great strike OF 1900 has caused them
TO approach the present situation in
conciliatory mood
In order TO avoid another contest and
thus disturb the industry the operators
arc ready To- make concessions IN the way
OF the correction OF grievances that have
arisen during the life OF the commissions
award
This is indicated in the letter OF Prcsi.
dent David Wilcox Of the Delaware and
Hudson company to Mr.. Mitchell
The attitude OF the Miners union Of
ficials during the past week leads TO the
belief among those who have studied the
situation that ;he men are so anxious
20 have the annual agreement with the
operators, that they will not insist upon
their demands being granted.
While the union officials arc silent on
the subject II Il understood that n the
operators are reasonably liberal frem the
miners point ~ view. and an agreement
Ia in sight the union will not the or