Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-05-08
anthracite miners
VOTE NOT TO STRIKE
DELEGATES DECIDE TO RETURN
TO WORK IF MEN ARE GIVEN
OLD PLACES.
SCALE COMMITTEE TO
CONFER WITH OWNERS

CONFER WITH OWNERS
Peace Is Sincerely Hoped For
Will Resume Under Award of
1908 Coal Board.
Scranton, Pa, May There will
be no strike of the miners In the an
thracite coal fields providing the OPP
orators will agree to give every man
his old place and reinstate those who
have been dismissed because they
obeyed the suspension order of John
Mitchell.
This was the agreement reached at
Saturdays session OF the convention.
The convention did not adjourn, how
ever, President Mitchell requesting
that the delegates remain in Scranton
until the scale committee reports the
result of its meeting with the opera
tors, which will probably he held in
New York on Monday If the operators
agree to meet the miners representa-
tives. The no-strike decision was
reached after President Mitchell and
National Secretary-TreasureT Wilson
had addressed the delegates recon-
mending that the 1903 award be con-
tinued. A resolution to this effect
was offered and unanimously adopted,
after which the convention adjourned.
When President Mitchell returned to
his hotel he issued the following state
ment:
Peace Miners Sole Object.
For several months we have peen
endeavoring to negotiate a wage scale
and adjustment of conditions of en-
ployment with the representatives of
the anthracite coal mining companies.
During these negotiations we made a
number of propositions each of which
materially modified our original de-
mands. We did this not because we
were convinced that our original propo-
sitions were unfair or wrong, but
purely for the purpose of finding a
common ground upon which we could
reach an agreement. that would Sc
cure and maintain peace in the anthra-
cite coal industry. We still believe
that our first proposition was reason
ably fair and Notwithstanding the
notifications we have since made in
the interest of peace, and now we are
face to face with the alternative of
continuing at work under our former
conditions or declaring strike. In
this crisis your committee recommends
the following policy:
First. That we agree to work on the
basis of the award of the anthracite
coal strike commission for such pc
riod of time as may be agreed upon
mutually between the representatives
of the anthracite coal mining COM
panies and our scale committee, pro-
vided that all men who suspended
work on April or since that time,
| or who have been dismissed because
they stated that they would refuse to
work If a strike were declared, are re-
instated in their former positions and
working places.
Second. That the scale committee
proceed at once to meet The repre-
sentatives of the coal companies with
a view of securing an agreement upon
this basis.
Third. That the convention remain
In session until Tuesday, and the scale
committee shall report to the conven-
ton at that time.
Fourth, That the suspension of
work shall continue until an agree
ment has been made and it's terms APP
proved by the convention"
This recommendation was suggest
ed by the full scale committee and
was adopted unanimously by the con-
vention. A telegram to Mr.. Baer pro-
posing conference on Monday was
sent. II favorable response is re-
ceived the subcommittee will proceed
to New York to arrange the details OF
settlement, and will report to the con-
vention Tuesday morning.
Credit Due Mitchell.
To President John Mitchell is due
most Of the credit for preventing a
strike Of the anthracite miners. 1t
was learned that he worked all Of Fri
day afternoon and most of the night
to bring about change N sentiment
among the delegates and force the
scale committee to make such recon-
mendations IS would return the min
ers to work.
| In presenting his views to the scale
committee one leader said to recon-
mend a strike would be to do the very
thing the operators most fondly de-
sired. He pointed out that the oper-
ators had laid careful plans to destroy
the Mine Workers union and end
Mitchell as q leader. In support of
his arsaaaant he pointed to the propo-
sitions made by the state to rush
troops to the region, SO that If neces.
sary there would be soldier to guard
every man who desired to work in
The mines.
The war party made a strong light
for strike, stating that the issue la6
better be fought out now than pest
pone the battle for three years, during
which time the miners would have to
endure the present conditions. AS In
dicating how the situation stood at
that time, Mitchell told friend he did
not know whof tho nonor,itfaa x,,o,,1 =