Milford chronicle., 1906-03-23
OPERATORS WILL
MEET MINERS
Baer Notifies Mitchell They Are
Ready For Further Conference.
BUT PROMISES NO CONCESSIONS

New York, March 21.-There will b
conferences between the two commit
tees Of seven members each. repre-
sentlng the anthracite coal operator
and the miners of the hard coal dis
trict. THIS was decided upon at I
meeting in this city Of the committed
Of operators. Later President George
r. Baer, Of the Philadelphia & Read
ing railroad. forwarded a letter tc
President John Mitchell, of the United
Mine Workers Of America, notifying
him that the operators committee are
willing to meet the miners committee
at any date Mr.. Mitchell may select
PresideIA Baer's letter is in reply
to a communication from President
Mitchell in which the leader Of the
miners expressed disappointment be-
cause the operators committee had re-
tected the demands Of the miners
without calling their committee into
conference before doing so. Mr..
Mitchell then asked for another con
ference. In reply. Mr. Baer says that
the operators fully expected to have
another conference with the miners,
and asserts that President Mitchell
has not replied to a counter PROPOSE
tion made to him by the operators
committee, to the effect that the min
ers allow the present conditions to
prevail.
President Baers letter to President
Mitchell is as follows:
Mr. John Mitchell Chairman, Indianap-
oils:
Dear Sir-I beg to acknowledge receipt
of your letter Of March II. There is no
misunderstanding between us as to future
meetings Of the committee. The minutes
Of the meeting held on the 18th of Feb
ruary, to which you refer, clearly state |
the understanding. To my suggestion |
that committees be appointed, the record |
Of the minutes IS as follows:
Mr.. Mitchell-What we understand is |
that the separate committees be ap- /
pointed. seven on each side. and that the
miners formulate in detail the PROPOSE
tions we have to make and give such rea-
sons as they choose therefor, and after
their scale had been prepared they will
submit that to the seven representatives
of the mine operators for their cOnsidera-
tion, that the seven gentlemen represent
ing the operators will then reply to the
seven miners. the committee and If there
is finally an agreement or disagreement
Il shall be reported back to our whole
committee"
''AIr. Baer-I have no objections to that
speak for myself only. 1t is matter
Of detail"
"Mr. Wncox-There are no objections
only It seems to me it will take little
more time"
''Air. Mitchell-We want to be perfectly
frank In this matter. and we do not want
10 enter into these negotiations under
any Misrepresentation. We do not want to
discover later on that there has been any
deception; do anything that will lead you
20 believe we practice deception on our
side. OF course. any agreement arrived
It by this whole committee would be
ubiect to the ratification of a convention
u the anthracite miners"
''Mr Baer-Is that so? Do you come
lere without power?"
Mr.. Mitchell-Anything that we do is
ubject TO ratification"
Mr.. Baer-Au you can do is to make
tentative arrangement and that had to
e reported to the convention and to be
assed upon by the convention?"
Mr.. Mitchell-Yes sir. But that really
/
Ions from the ShamOkin conference Of
nthracite mine workers"
''Mr. Thomas-If the anthracite con-
ention votes for it, viii that settle it or
ill it have 10 go further, to the central
at Indianapolis?"
Mr. Mitchell-That will settle the mat I
n. And there will be no trouble. that is.
Dt important. This committee repre-
,nts the anthracite mine workers and
ley are the executive officers" Z
In accordance with this understanding.
e have frankly and fully answered your
'opositions. We make a counter propo- e
ton to you to continue the existing con- {
tions which have been highly beneficial v
the miners and to the community. You :,
I'VE not answered the proposition we | -
ade to you. We sincerely believe that ] o
thing can now be done to improve the S
.uatlOn as it exists. and has for the I,
st three years existed. in the coal re- =
ons The miners are contented. They d
we been fully employed. They have n
en- paid large wages, They have saved s.
oney All the conditions attending the
'rkingman's prosperity are as favor
le IN the anthracite regions as It is
ssible TO make them. Under these cir
instances we have hoped that you sa
'uld accept our proposition. and until th
heard from you we still continued to "
lulge that hope
assumed from a report Of a converse Ia
n over the telephone you had with Tl
B. Thomas, that owing to your ar hs
lgements at Indianapolis an earlier :.
than tn 26th of March would not "a
{ you for a meeting. We are prepared dt
meet you at any time you may name. Of
aturally supposed you would notify us mr.
en- you desired to meet us. You will
erye that your own statement saws: IN
II there Is final agreement or dis til
cement, it shall be reported back to ro
whole committee. We never had a No
usht Of abrogating this understanding ~
have acted throughout on the as- W
lption that there would be a meeting ne
The whole committee to hear our re- Ro
{. Yours truly. 'o
GEORGE F. BAER, Chairman. wa