Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1906-03-19
NJ | T C H ELL
PUTS IT UP
TO Mr.. BAER.
Mine Workers President Says
Another Conference Is NeCes-
Sary With the Coal Operators.
MEN ARE DISAPPOINTED
We Are Not UnmindfuI Of Great
Public Interests Involved
They Say.

lNl'lANAIOIlC. lnu.. MdTcl ID
President John Mitchell of the United
Mine Workers of America has sent to
George +. Baer. chairman of the an
thracitc coal operators committee, his
reply to the committees communica-
ton rejecting the demands of the min
ers organization. The letter follows:
"Referring again to your communi-
cation dated March 10. with accompa-
nying documents, and to our reply
thereto, write to say that have sub
mitted to our committee the answer
made by your committee to the propo-
sitions presented by us. 1t is unneces-
sary to state that we were keenly dis
appointed to learn that our demands
were rejected in toto and that our ar
guments in favor of them had received
so little consideration at your hands
that they were practically ignored in
your reply to us.
I'VE have again reviewed the scale
presented for your consideration, have
compared it with the scale of wages
paid for similar classes of labor in
other coal producing states and dis
tricts and we are satisfied beyond the
peradventure of doubt that the wages
proposed are not in eXcession of, in
deed that they are not so high, as the
wages paid in the bituminous mining
districts of our country.
Judging from the language employ
ed in your answer to us, it is perfectly
evident that we failed to make clear
or that you failed to understand the
real import of the propositions submit
ted by us.
I'VE wish to assure you that we are
not unminaful of the great public in
terests involved in this controversy as
to our future relations. neither are we
unappreciative of the splendid efforts
made by the anthracite coal strike
commission to establish a relationship
between us that would insure just
and permanent peace, but if you Will
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 expiration of the award the
relations of operator and employee
would have so far improved rs TO
make impossible such a condition as
existed throughout the country in CON
sequence of the strike in the anthra-
cite region
at would seem from reading your
reply that all our propositions have
been rejected and that your final de-
cisiOn has been given. We trust that
this conception of your intention is in
correct 1t is our opinion that neither
you nor we can afford to break off ne
gotiaton in this abrupt manner. SO
| far as we and the interests we repre-
sent are concerned we are not willing
! to accept any share of the response
bility this action entails. We believe
that further meetings should be held
and that we should strive earnestly
and conscientiously to reconcile our
differences.
"While it may be true that on the
part of the operators there has been no
serious cause for complaint during the
past three years we wish TO assure
you that in expressing this opinion
L. YOU 30 not fpnpcl ONG NltNs. .NOL ull-
| ly 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 to say that we cannot with
any degree of contentment or satisfac-
ton continue TO work under present
conditions.
However we repeat that the inter
ests involved are so vast that we are
not willing TO break off negotiations
without first making further efforts 10
reconcile our differences. We there
/ fore propose that further conference
or conferences be held between now
and tho LIST of April.
IF this suggestion meets with your
approval we will be pleased TO ar
range with you Il date upon which our
joint committee may reconvene."