The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-27
MINERS MAKE NEW PROPOSALS
OFFER no DROP ALL DEMANDS
hut WAGE ADVANCE.
Are willing TO Go to Work Pending Final
Settlement II Either Suggestion Is Ac-
cepted-BeiIeved to Prefer n Back.
down TO q StrIke-Many Mines Working

WnKEsBARRE, April 2e.-The anthracite
mine workers scale committee tonight
agreed to submit two propositions to the
operators, offering in the event of either
being accepted TO order a resumption OF
work for any period agreed upon by the
committees Of the mine workers and the
operators.
If the operators do not accept either
proposition the mine workers convention
which is called to meet in Scranton next
Thursday will take up the matter and vote
on the question of ordering a strike.
Each proposition is on the question OF
wages alone and all reference to arbitra-
ton is ignored.
The first proposition requests an increase
in wages of Is per cent. for all workers get
ting less than 81 a day, and an increase OF
5 per cent for all receiving over s1.75.
The second proposes a straight increase
Of 10 cents on each ton Of coal mined.
to be added to the wages Of the mine workers
on a percentage basis to be determined by
the respective committees.
The reply Of the mine workers to the
operators IL as follows:
The committee appointed by the Shamokin
convention representing the anthracite mine
workers have given your communication
dated April II. the most careful considera-
ton. Tn refusal OF your to sub
init the differences between US to the arbit-
rament of the Cancellation board created
by the Anthracite Coal Strike Commission or
TO that commission itself. both propositions
having been made to you by us. has con-
WINGED the members of our committee and
the mine workers of the anthracite fields
that no proposition to arbitrate our differ
ences. however fair or impartial. will be ac-
cepted by you II proposed by us,
The suggestion of your committee that we
first arbitrate to ascertain whether or not
there Is anything to arbltrate. and then re-
strict within narrow limits the scope OF the
investigation. could have, il accepted, no
other effect than to bring into disrepute and
ridicule the beneficent and worthy procedure
throug h which seemingly irreconcilable diff
ferences have been adjusted so often in a
manner reasonably satisfactory to all con-
cerned.
However, Notwithstanding the attitude of
your committee, We have not yet entirely
abandoned hope that an agreement can be
reached between our respective committees
upon a basis just TO us. fair to you, and which
will not result in imposing additional bur
dens upon the coal consuming public; and
that a prolonged suspension Of mining In the
anthracite fields will be averted.
With this end in view we submit herewith
two separate and distinct propositions. Upcl
the acceptance OF either Of these by your
we will to a convene
ton Of anthracite miners which has been
called to meet next Thursday that work be
resumed and continued for a period to be
mutually determined by our joint COM
mittees.
PROPOSITION no. /.
That the award of the Anthracite Coal
Strike Commission be renewed and con-
tinued in force subject 10 the following
modification:
That all persons employed in the collieries.
washeries. strippings and breakers who
now receive-minus the sliding scale-sI or
less per day OF nine hours shall have their
wages advanced Is per cent. 81 to 81 rs.
l2H per cent. advance: 81. rs to 81 80. 10 per
cent. advance: $3.50 to 2l.75. IA per cent.
advance. and all others 5 per cent. advance.
PROPOSITION NO. ?.
That an advance equal 10 10 cents per
ton upon the total production Of anthracite
coal be added TO the wages and earnings
Of all persons employed in the collieries,
washeries. strippings and breakers. such
advance to be added TO the wages and rates
fixed in the award OF the Anthracite Coal
Strike Commission, the apportionment to
be on a percentage basis In such manner
as may be determined mutually between QUE
respective committees.
In formulating these two propositions we
have eliminated every feature OF our former
proposals TO which you have objected ex-
cept that Of wages. and In the matter Of wages
we have kept in mind your oft repeated state
ment that to grant our original demands
would result in advancing the cost to the
consumer OF domestic coal sl.20 per ton.
While we have not been able even by the
most careful analysis to ascertain by what
process of reasoning you have reached your
conclusions as 10 the alleged necessity OF
an advance in cost amounting to 81 20 per
ton, we beg TO assure you that We have no
desire, neither would we consent, to become
parties to any compact that would increase
the cost of domestic fuel 81 20 per ton.
Az indicated in the two propositions sub
mitted herein, we propose n resumption of
work upon a basis that would increase the
labor cost of all coal produced by an amount
not ia excess Of 10 cents per ton, and as be-
tween 90 and 20 per cent. OF all coal produced
Is sold as prepared sizes the increase In the
labor cost Of domestic fuel would not exceed
10 cents per ton.
In passing judgment upon these proposals
we request that you give consideration 10
the conditions now existing in the anthracite
fields. Years ago II was not uncommon for
boys of IL. 10 and even 5 years OF age to be
employed in the breakers and 10 tend doors
in the mines.
As a result of legislative enactment no
boy may now be employed In the breakers
who Is less than IL or In the mines who Is less
than 10 years of age 1t follows as a matter
Of common justice that the wage paid TO a
ten -year-old boy would be totally inadequate
and unfair when paid to'a boy OF IA or 10
years OF age. And it will not be seriously
contended that any man who receives less
than 81 per day can support and educate his
family in a manner at all conformable %
American standards. especially in the mining
industry, where men are not given the OPP
portunity TO work more than 22j days In
any one year.
And yet there are many thousands Of boys
who receive from so to 90 cents per day and
thousands upon thousands of men with fam
lies to support who receive between tl.I7
and ti.75 per day.
In considering the advance proposed for
contract workers. we request that you keep
in mind the great hazard incident TO their
employment and the skill and experien ce
required by this class OF labor.
In the year 1905 64t fatal accidents and
more than 1 200 non fatal accidents occurred
in the anthracite m ines. OF the larger pro-
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