The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1906-01-19
BLUFF
TO CAUSE STRIKE
REFUSE TO TREAT WITH MINERS
EXCEPT AS INDIVIDUAL
EMPLOYEES.
MITCHELL IS PREPARED
Sentiment at the indianapolis conven-
tion is Against Dealing az Individ-
uaIs With the Anthracite
Operators.

indianapolis, Ind, Jan iS.--Fhe an.
|thracite situation grew more strained
today and unless the big operators
withdraw from their stand nothing
Ican prevent strike.
Pres dent Baer and President Nit
chell were said TO be In telegraphic
communication today over the state
ment given out by President Thomas
Of the Lehigh Valley Railroad. Thorn
as said the big operators would meet
the miners as miners. hut not as
union men, r. l.. Lewis, leader Of the
insurgents in the convention, declared
ton ght that while the miners might
hold preliminary meeting ais miners,
no agreement would be reached with
the miners except as union men.
Reports were circulated today that
the big anthracite operators wanted a
strike. This was because OF the. mil
lions Of tons OF coal stored for just
such an outcome. The anthracite min
ers, however, declare that II they do
not strike they will have no work any
way this year, as the coal already
mined will supply the demand.
I'VE will have no work even if we
do not strike" was the sentiment ex-
pressed. Then why not strike?"
President Mitchell is Silent.
But President Mitchell has not as
yet outlined his policy to the hard coal
field. He has, In fact. kept even his
closest adviser in ignorance OF hts
intention.
But it is well known that he ex-
poets strike. This Is evidenced by
a letter sent by him to President Has.
kins of the Ohio miners. who was de-
tn letter Mitchell said:
"As you are aware, the approaching
interstate G. invention of operators and
miners promises 10 be the most Ign
portant In the history OF the nisucrsss
movement and the interests of our
craft demand that we should have the
advice and assistance Of every one
who by experience Is qualified TO de-
fend the rights OF those we have the
honor to serve. In the event that we
should fail to reach an agreement with
the operators and a strike should en-
sue 1t would contribute largely to our
success to have in official position you
and other officers VINO by reason of
their many years of experience are
best equipped to conduct movement
oGythis character"
Little Hope OF Settlement.
President Mitchell refused to CON
firm the report that he had heard
from Pres dent Baer. He would say
nothing. But his closest advisers were
not SO reticent They admitted there
was little hope of a settlement of the
hard coal trouble and that strike In
the bltuminous field was also certain.
A new complication entered into the
situation today. Mich gan and Iowa
operators are desirous of being admit.
ted TO the interstate conference on
the anne basis as enjoyed by Illinois.
Indiana. Ohio and Pennsylvania. T. w.
Davis commissioner for the Michigan
operators, made bid for admission.
He told the miners the Michigan oper-
ator5 would pay whatever scale was
demanded by the miners. and would
not cast a vote against any Of their
desires. The Iowa operators are as
friendly
Session Of Short Duration.
The miners convention lasted only
a few minutes today President Nit
chell appointed the various commit
tees. Preside Perry of Illinois is on
the cale committee. while w d.
Ryan Is chairman 4 the resolutions
committee.
Upon the decision OF the scale com
mittee will depend the action OF the
convention. A large majority Of the
committee fayors an advance. Nit
chell WI not oppose Il il his report
Is a criterion. He win 90 with the
majority.
The Pennsylvania miners eaucused
today. Patrick Doisn. their leader. is
not here and the meeting was un-
official Moth ag was done except
20 criticise The man who called the
meeting Until Dolan appears the
miner viii not state
their positions.
Reports set aioat for two days that
an amicable settlement would be made
with both the anthracite and biturnfn
,us operators on the basis Of the pres
INT scale and working conditions ere
Ited The greatest uproar among the
delegates In all the hotels, on the F.
streets and wherever miners congre
gated they denounced the idea
Will Not con-ent 20 Old Scale.
We viii never c-nsent 10 the old
scale" was the universal declaration
ard other officials were hom-
1arded with quest ons-
Are those reports inspired by ha
(Coucl1dei OH Fourth FaEel