The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-03-15
COAL MIkERSMET TO
DCIDE The STRIKE ISSUE
Continued From Page one)


In formally declaring this convention
open for the transaction OF business, IL
may not be amiss-indeed, ii seems quite
proper-that l should report the principal
incidents and causes which prompted tho
call for this extraordinary meeting OF the
United Mine Workers OF America. and In
addition thereto make some suggestions
for your guidance which may facilitate
the work Of the convention. and, / hope,
prove helpful in reestablishing our re-
lations with the operators upon a basis
which wil be just to them, reasonably
satisfactory 10 the great constituency we
represent. and at the same time proper
ly conSiderate OF the welfare OF the
entire country whose interests cannot
be disregarded with impunity by any
class OF citizens, regardless OF its strength
or influence.
CONFERENCE WITH OPERATORS.
While In New York attending meetings
OF the anthracite committee appointed by
the Shamokin convention. held on Dec.
IA. "a report OF which was submitted 10
our annual convention, first by accident,
and then by arrangement, / met and
held several conferences with Mr. Fran
els l. Robbins. chairman of the Pitts
burg Coal company. and subsequently,
with other operators. prominent partici-
pants In our last joint conference.
AT these conferences, the question OF
our disagreement upon the wage scale,
was discussed in an informal way. /
also held conferences with several OF the
leading and active workers in our own
| movement so that might inform myself
| more fully as TO the status OF affairs in
| the various parts OF the country so far as
! IL affected the interests OF our organza-
/ tion. and the welfare OF our people
/ "As a result OF these meetings we came
10 believe that there had been such
change in the coal trade, or at least in the
/ attitude OF many operators as 10 justify
| hope that there was a possibility Of reach
| ing an agreement providing the joint con-
| ventions were reconvened
| Aside. however. from my own impress =
sions and the impression OF those OF my
| colleagues with whom / consulted the
| following letter from the president OF the
| United States addressed TO Mr. Robbins
| and TO me Is sufficient Justification to
| warrant our services and our employers
In making another effort to reach an
| agreement"
RoosEvELT'S LETTER.
Mr.. Mitchell then read President Roose-
| pressed concern over the failure OF the
| miners convention on Joint Interstate
agreement TO come to n basis of settle
ment OF the btumihous mining scale OF
wages and urging both sides TO make an
other effort to avert the threatened strike.
! Mr.. Mitchell continued:
! that the operators of both the central
| competitive and the southwestern fields
| have called meetings OF their representa-
| uves, to be held I'm this city on Monday
| morning. March i9.
| while. OF course. the many conflicting
and inharmonious statements emanating
| from various sources purporting TO reflect
| the views OF operators, seem TO indicate
! all entire absence Of unity and concord
among them In regard TO the question OF
advancing wages, | am nevertheless hope
| full, II not fully convinced. that the ur-
| gency and seriousness Of the situation will
prompt them 10 make such reasonable
| concessions in the matter of wages and
| conditions as will enable us to join them
| in the reha billtation OF our Joint move
ment and the perpetuation of the relation
under which we have worked with mutual
! advantage during the past eight years
In the consideration and discuss ior
! OF all matters coming before tho conven-
| tion it Is my earnest hope that acrimoni.
Gus debate will be entirely eliminated and
that we shall stand united in an earnest
effort 20 serve our people and to secure
for them larger measure Of the fruits
/ OF their tolls, that when we leave Indiana
! polls our organization may have regained
/ any prestige lost as the result OF the
/ international dissension and that ever
those unfriendly TO labor may be sa tsned
that the United Mine Workers of America
! is a sane. Just. business association whose
higher purpose Is not TO achieve victories
by means OF its great strength but rather
! through the inherent Justice that lies In
the cause IL represents"