New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-27
MINERS TO MEET AGAIN
LETTER FROM PRESIDENT
Mitchell Decides to Call National
ConUentioH-ConceSsions Reafrmed

President Mitchell OF the United Mine Work.
ers Of America announced yesterday that il had
been decided to call a national convention Os
the organization. to meet on Manch - This
action followed the announcement by Vice-Presi-
dent Lewis on Sunday that there would be no
strike. the operators having made substantial
concessions The bituminOus operators present.
acquiesced in the decision after listening 10 the
following letter from President Roosevelt. which
read by Mr.. Mitchell:
I note with very great concern the failure IN
your late convention the joint interstat5.
ne 0itumlnous mining scale or wages foU IN
this business have enjoyed great Industrial
peace for many years, thanks 70 the joint tradss
agreement that has resulted in the action ocS
your successive conventions
A strike such as is threatened on April I is a
menace to the peace and general welfare OF the
country. urge you 70 make a further effors
10 avoid such calamity.
You and Mr.. Robbins ara joint chairnen oe
the trade agreement committee OF the National
Civic Federation. and il seems to me that this
imposes an additional dutv upon Won bO4h s-Tfs
gives an additional reason why each Of yotE
should join in making a further effort.
John Mitchell was among the first OF thy
members of the subcommittee Of the scale corn-
mittee Of the anthracite mine workers to put II
an appearance at the Ashland House. the head-
quarters OF the committee yesterday dis
patch from Indianapolis. attributed 10 Vices
President Lewis. Of the United Mine WOrkerzx
which declared that there would be no gznerak
strike OF mine workers April I was showr1
him His comment was:
II guess that's right"
Mr.. Mitchell refused TO say ANYTHING r,ors.
Mrs Mitchell arrived here yesterday rnornfn d
from her home at Spring Valley. III. and is ex-
pected to remain during the further negotiations
Francis L. Robbins chairman of the directors
Of the Pittsburg Coal Company. and chairman e
the committee Of bituminous operators. reacheS
/ this city in the morning to confer with Mr.
Mitchell and others. His visit was thought sig<
nifcant he has been backing President DoIaa.
OF the Pittsburg district. who has been at outs
with President Mitchell. When asked to nnakss
some comment Vice-President I.ewiss state-
ment of yesterday. that there would be no gem
eral strike on April I. Mr.. Robbins said:
There is absolutely no change IN the soft coau
strike on April l. No meeting OF the operators
has been held. and l. as chairman would bal
the man to call one. Even in case such propo-
sition were made Mr.. Mitchell would have to re-
fer it TO the miners convention.
There could be no change OF front on the pa-c
OF the operators without a conference among
them. Because the miners are willing 70 ac-f
cept the 10000 scale that is no indication thar
the soft coal operators are willing 10 yield.
President Mitchell and his advisers went into
conference at the Waldorf in the afternoons
with Mr.. Robbins. W. c. Perry. OF the South-
western Coal Association. and B. F. Bush rep
sA-O SUI va A-AICAO0-o aiilcu Win
Gould railroads This conference is the first Mr.
| Mitchell has held with representatives OF these
interests He has been in close touch with Harry
A Taylor representing the Illinois. Indiana and
Ohio soft coal operators. who are opposed to the
| interests represented by 3Iessrs- Robbins Perry
| and Bush. After the conference had lasted abour
an hour. IT broke up while the conferrees had
luncheon. and then resumed its deliberations
Another recess was taken at . o'clock. and the
participants said they would resume their dis
cussion at O'Clock. None OF them would talk
about the conference