Los Angeles herald., 1906-03-31
STRIKE SEEMS TO
Be INEVITABLE
MINERS REFUSE TO SUBMIT
TO ARBITRATION
National and District Officers Will
Sign Agreements Where 1903
Scale ls Guaranteed for
Two Years
BY Associated Press.

soV Associated Press.
INDIANAPOLIS Ind, March 3d.
The national convention of the United
Mine Workers of America adjourned
sine die today after authorizing the
national and district officers to sign
a wage agreement with any coal oper-
ators who would agree to pay the
scale of 1903. or it's equivalent for a
period of two years.
This Is an advance of 5.55 per cent
III wages in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and
western Pennsylvania, and all other
districts except the southwest, COM
posed of Missouri, Kansas, Texas,
Arkansas and Indian Territory, where
an advance of three cents per ton is
demanded, as the 1903 scale is practical
ly in force in that district.
The convention declined an offer
made by the operators of Illinois, In
diana and Ohio to submit the wage
differences to arbitration. When a
coal operator owns mines in different
districts the scale must be signed for
all the properties at the same time be-
fore any will be ,"owed to run.
VIII Affect 5o9,5oo Men
The action of the convention will
bring out of the mines of the country
509,500 men in the anthracite and
bituminous mines. These will remain
on strike until settlements have been
signed the districts or with indi-
vidual operators. The only miners at
work on Monday will be $4,000 men in
the New River, Pocahontas, FairmUnt
and Central fields of West Virginia,
where an agreement was made several
days ago to allow the men to continue
at work until the district convention
now in session at Charleston has
reached disagreement with the oper-
ators.
1t is anticipated that the scale will
be signed in few days by employers
of $4,000 miners. The Pittsburg Coal
company and F. l.. Robbins of Western
Pennsylvania, who also owns mines in
Ohio, Illinois and West Virginia, will,
1t is expected sign at once, together
with number of Independent opera
tors.
Statement by Mitchell
President Mitchell said today he be-
lieved one-half of the tonnage of Illi-
nois, Indiana, Ohio and Western Penn
sylvania would sign and soon a large
number of independents having al an
nual output of 10000 900 tons, who pro-
tested here against the advance but
who would pay the advance demanded
and their men would resume work.
me miners expect very lew Operators
IN the southwest will sign at once.
There is in the national, district and
local treasures of the miners 100000,
of which 100000 is in the national
treasury.
President Mitchell expects to leave
Sunday for New York to meet in joint
conference with the anthracite oper-
ators.
Fail to ExpeI Officials
The convention today failed to eXpel
Patrick Dolan and Uriah Belling-
ham, the Pittsburg district officials,
from the organization by vote of $40
to 353. The controversy was referred
back to the Pittsburg district.
President Mitchell had absolute con-
troll of the convention throughout it's
sessions and every act desired by him
was done. He signified today that if
the convention did not adopt the res
olution permitting the miners to sign
wherever the advance scale was paid
he would resign. The vote was unan-
imous although Vice President Louis
took a vigorous position against 1t.