Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-02-15
kONEK|OU@ OAY
FOR TIE MINERS
Meeting Of the Conference Of
the Coal Operators and
Miners Union
GONE HOPE OF AN AGREEMENT
Believed That Miners Will Not Hold
Out for Recognition Of the Union 1t
The Operators are Disposed to Meet
Them Half Way on Other Demands
70 Be Made.

New York, Feb. 15.-A conference
between the coal operators and union
mine workers of the anthracite fields
Of Pennsylvania, at which efforts Will
be made to formulate an agreement
between the employers and men to go
into effect April 1. when the award OF
the anthracite strike commission ex-
pires. will be held this afternoon. All
the coal companies will be represent
ed and the interests of the employees
will be looked after by the special
scale committee of which President
Mitchell is chairman.
The Pennsylvania railroad will not
be directly represented, it not having
been invited to the conference, but
will abide by any action taken by the
presidents Of the other coal carrying
roads In case technical discussion
shall ensue after the miners have for
mally made known their grievances.
the operators will call in officials OF
the various coal companies who have
practical knowledge of mining condi-
tions. It has been learned from vari-
Gus sources that among the proposals
to be submitted by the employees are
those for an eight-hour day without
any reduction in wages for all em-
ployes paid by the hour day or week,
uniform wage scale in the three an
thracite districts for different classes
Of employees; adequate compensation
for Dead work performed by cons
tract miners; reconstruction of board
Of Cancellation IAN increase in wages
pany men; adoption of system by
which coal shall be paid for by weight
wherever practicable, recognition of
the union. The union mine workers
in the anthracite region never have
been entirely satisfied with the award
Of the strike commission. The men
gained considerable through the award.
but feel they did not receive all they
are justly entitled to. Before they
went into the conference the operators
and representatives Of the men were
hopeful OF an amicable agreement. The
attitude of the union officials during
the past week leads to the belief
among those who have studied the sit
uation that the men are so anxious to
have an annual agreement with the
operators that they will not insist up
on the granting of all their demands.
While the union officials are silent on
the subject, it is understood If the
operators are reasonably liberal, from
a miners point of view, and an agree
ment is in sight, the union will not
push the organization to the front and
press for its recognition. The opera
tors are unit against recognizing the
miners association as at present con-
stituted. They have steadily refused
to treat with Mitchell as the represen-
tative of the organization. When he
appeared before the strike commission
he was there as the Representative Of
the anthracite coal mine workers" and
not in his official character as presi-
dent of the union. The arbitrators de-
cline to make an award in the matter
Of recognition of the union, because
the question of recognition of the un-
ion was not within the scope of its
jurisdiction. The commission, howev-
er, was Of the belief that the sug-
gestion OF a working agreement be-
tween employers and employees en-
bodying the doctrine of collective bar
gaining contained many hopeful ele-
ments for adjustment Of relations in
the mining regions.
The conference assembled at o.
clock In the offices of the Trunk Line
Association.