The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1906-03-19
With View to Preventing a
Coal Strike
MITCHELL MADE REPLY
Intiniated That the Operators Might
Have Failed to Understand the Real
Import Of the Propositions
Made to Them.

Indianapolis, March to.-- President
dohn Mitchell Of tile United Mine Work
ers of America has mailed to George II.
Baer, chairman of the anthracite coal
operators committee, his reply to the
committees communication rejecting
the demands OF the miners organization.
After expressing the keen disappoint-
ment that the miners demands were re-
iected in toto, reminding that the wngss
paid are comparatively low and express
ing the belief that the operators may
have failed to understand the real i'm
port of the propositions submitted by
u.s., the latter says;
we wish to assure you that we are
not unmindful OF the great public inter-
ests involved in this controversy as to
our future relations, neither are we un-
appreciatiYe Of the splendid efforts made
by the anthracite coal strike commits
sion to establish a relationship between
us that would insure q just and perman-
ent peace; but, il YOU win refer To the
award OF that commission, you will find
that the commission itself was in doubt
as to the permanency of its findings, and
expressed the hope that at the expira-
tion Of the award, the relations Of opera
tors and employees would have so far i'm
proved as to make impossible such q
condition as existed throughout the
country in consequence Of the strike in
the anthracite region. We had enter
tanned the hope that our adherence to
the letter and the spirit Of the award
and the, absence Of local or general
strikes during the last three years would
ID rnfFf -
confidence and that we might reason
ably expect serious considerations Of
our claims at this time.
when we met in Joint conference at
143 Liberty street, New York city on
Feb. Is last, it was agreed that when
the separate committees Of seven had
terminated their work, they should re-
port to the committee of the whole. We
understand this TO mean that after We
had submitted our demands and our
reasons therefor, and you had prepared
yOur renly thereto, the Joint committee
would meet, confer, and II possible,
reach an agreement. But it would seem
fran reading your reply, that all our
propositions have been rejected and that
Your final decision has been given. We
trust thst this conception of your in
tention is incorrect. 1t is our opinion
that neither you nor we can can afford
10 break Of negotiations in this abrupt
manner
"Se far as we and the interests we
represent are concerned, we are not will.
ing to accept any share Of the response
bility this action entails. We believe
that a further meeting should be held
and that we should strive earnestly and
conseientiously to reconcile our diiferen.
ceg.
while it may be true that on the
part of Che operators there has been no
serious cause for complaint during the
last three years, we wish 10 assure you
that in expressing this opinion you do
not reflect our views. Not only has there
been criticism among the miners, but,
what is more important, there exists
much cause for criticism and complaint,
To such an extent is this true that we
feel it Incumbent upon us 70 say that
we cannot with any degree Of content
lnent or satisfaction continue 70 work
under present conditions.
However, We rereat that the inter-
ests involved are so vast that we are
not willing 20 break of negotiations
without frst making further efforts 20
reconcile our differences. We therefore
propose that further conference or con
foreHces be held between now and the
first Of April
"If this suggestion meets with your
approval We viii b. pleased to arrange
with you date upon which our joint
committee may reconyenc.'