New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-19
MITCHELL TO BAER.
WOULD CONFER FURTHER.
Had Expected Joint Committee to
Make Final Decision.

indianapolis, March 18y-John Mitchell, presi-
dent of the United Mine Workers Of America,
has mailed to George F. Baer. chairman of the
anthracite coal operators committee, his reply
TO the committees communication rejecting the
demands Of the miners organization. The let
ter follows:
Indianapolis. March IL 1906
Mr.. George =. Baer. Chairman. philadelphia.
Dear sir; Referring again to your communi-
cation dated March 10. with accompanying doc
uInehLsS ana 70 our reply thereto I write to say
that l have submitted to our committee the
answer made by your committee to the PROPOSE
uons presented by us 1t is unnecessary to state
Ihat we were keenly disappointed to learn that
our demands were rejected in toto. and that our
arguments in favor Of them had received so lit
Tie consideration at your hands that they were
practically ignored IN your reply to US
We have again reviewed the scale presented
Tor your consideration; have cOmDared it with
me scale or wages paid for similar classes of
Iapor In other coal producing states and dis
rlcts' and we are satisfied beyond the perad-
venture of doubt that the wages proposed are
% %HoL IN excess OF, indeed, that they are not so
Nigh as the wages paid in the bituminOus min
ing districts of our country
Judging from the language employed I'm your
answer to us, it is perfectly evident that we
Ialled 10 make clear, that you failed to un-
oeTstand the real import Of the propositions
We wish to assure you that we are not unuind-
iul OF the great public interests involved in this
are we unappreciative Of the splendid efforts
made by the Anthracite Coal Strike Commission
10 establish a relationship between us that
would insure just and permanent peace; but
II you viii refer to the award of that commits
slon' you will find that the commission itself
was IN doubt to the permanency Of its find
ings, and expressed the hope that at the ex-
piration Of the award the relation of operator
ana empIoye would have so far improved as to
make impossible such a condition as existed
throughout the country in consequence Of the
strike In the anthracite region. We had enter
tanned the hope that our adherence to the letter
ana Ihe spirit OF the award. and the absence of
local or general strikes during the past three
years would have appealed more strongly to
your confidence, and that we might reasonably
time
When we met in joint conference. at No. 143
Liberty street, New York City, on the 10th day
Of last February, 1t was agreed that when the
separate committees of seven had terminated
their work they should report to the committee
OF The whole We understood this to mean that
arter we had submitted our demands and our
LedSohs theretor and you had prepared your
reply Ihereto the joint committee would meet,
confer and, if possible, reach an agreement.
BUT II would seem from reading your reply
that all our propositions have been rejected and
that your final decision has been given. We
trust that this conception of your intention is
incorrect 1t is our opinion that neither you
this abrupt manner. So far we and the in
terests we represent are concerned we are not
willing to accept any share Of the responsibility
IhlS action entails. We believe that further
meeting should be held and that we should
strive earnestly and conscientiousIy to reconcile
While it may be true that on the part Of the
operators there has been no serious cause for
complaint during the last three years, we wish
TO assure you that in expressing this opinion
you 90 not reflect our views. Not only has
there been criticism among the miners b;,e
what is more important, there exists much cause
Tor criticism and complaint To such an extent
is this true that we feel It incum bent upon us
70 say that we cannot with any degree of con-
tentment or satisfaction work under present
conditions. However repeat that the in
terests involved are vast that we are not
willing to break off negotiations without first
making further efforts TO reconcile our differ
ences. We, therefore, propose that further con-
ference or conferences be held between. now and
April I.
If this suggestion meets with your approval
we will be pleased 10 arrange with you a date
upon which our joint committee may reconvene