The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-04-06

There were no noteworthy features
Wednesday in the labor trouble in the
anthracite coal regions. Nearly all the
operations in these fields remain tied
up, and there are no indications that
work will soon be resumed. The
miners committee held an all day ses-
sion in New York. considering plans.
and at the conclusion of the meeting it
representatives had decided to modify
their demands
In the bitumenous coal fields there
were more mines in operation than on
the previous day, and many more are
to resume within a day or two
The mine workers leaders were much
pleased when they learned that Presi-
dent Roosevelt had declined to- take a
hand in the soft coal strike so long as
the situation remains as at present
Slight disturbances were reported
from several points in the anthracite
s>Rnd bitumenous region, but as whole
the strike affected territory remains
quiet
New York, April Alt was the general
belief tonight of those who are closely
watching the situation about the an
thracite miners headquarters in this
city that the miners have definitely de-
cided to modify their demands and will
present them to the operators, prOba-
bly, tomorrow. Some of the members
Of the committee privately admitted be
fore coming to New York for the pres
ent negotiations that the original de-
mandS of the union were greater than
the miners really expected to get, and
that the leaders could afford to trim
them down and still leave the workers
enough to be satisfied.
1t is believed that if the operators
will meet the men half way, on some
of the demands they have made, such
as a reconstruction Of the Cancellation
board, and eight hour day and an in
crease in pay for some classes of la
bor the miners would seriously con-
slider the proposition of renewing the
strike commission award for not more
than one year The miners have all
themselves to any, agreement for three
years. Preparations for another meet
ing tomorrow between the sub-com-
mittee representing the anthracite Op-
orators kept the ShamOkin scale COM
i mittee Of the miners busy today. Two
long sessions We're held, but beyond the
following statement by President
Mitchell. no information was given
out
This committee appointed by the
Shamokin convention met at the Ash
land house today and had under con-
sideratiOn the communication from the
governor Of Pennsylvania and the offer
of the anthracite coal operators to re-
new and continue for thre years the
award of the anthracite coal strike
commission. 1t was decided that the
matter of further negotiations and the
proposition Of the anthracite miners be
referred to the subcommittee appoint
ed by the general committee, and that
a further meeting of the general COM
mittee be held tomorrow at 8 a. m. The
subcommittee is now in session.
All the district leaders received re-
ports from the anthracite fields during
the day and evening, and notwlth-
standing reports that more coal was
mined today than yesterday or Mon
day, they declared the situation was
entirely satisfactory to them.
President Mitchell when asked to-
night how matters stood in the sof.
coal fields said.
''Entirely satisfactory to me. Every
thing is turning out as | expected and
I believe the situation in the west will
soon be cleared up."
When President = Mitchell was in
formed that President Roosevelt had
keclined to interfere with the soft coal
troubles he showed great interest, and
inquired if the text of the presidents
communication had been made public.
He refused to comment on the presi-
dents action, but he plainly showed
he was much gratified at the stand the
president has taken.
Columbus, o., April John FL.