The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-06-06
MINERS NOT TO STRIKE
Convention Accepts Proposal Of the
Anthracite Operators;
HARD COAL REGION REJ0lCES
Men Return TO Work Under the
to Be Determined Mt Conference of
Operators and Miners officials
Baer Says Mon VIII Not Suffer.

to Be Determined Mt Conference OIL
Operators and Miners officials
Baer Says Mon VIII Not Suffer.
Scranton, Pa.-There will be no min
ers' strike, and the inhabitants of the
Anthracite valleys are jubilant. Soon
after the mine workers convention as
sembled the report of the Scale Com
mittee was presented by John Mitchell
recommending that the men return to
work under the award of the Anthra-
cite Strike Commission.
In urging the adoption of the report
Mr.. Mitchell said it was better to re-
new the award of the commission
than to accept the operators restricted
plan Of arbitration, under which he
feared the wage OF the highest paid
men would be reduced for the purpose
of giving it to the lowest paid men.
THAT might seem fair to the Board
of A]rbitration,i he added, "but it
would not be fair to us. What we
must do is to raise the lowest paid men
to the standard Of the best paid. From
the information I have received from
all parts of the region I an fearful
that our people are not in shape for q
strike.
II know there are many among us
who are not in sympathy with a strike
movement. We must retain what we
have, rather than lose what we gained
in the last two strikes.
"In deciding this question, may 1
ask you to do it without passion or
sentiment, but with due regard to
what is best now. Whatever your de-
cision, whether it be strike or whether
it be work, I ask you to remain to-
gether, accepting without reservation
the conclusion Of the majority"
Mr.. Mitchell's remarks We're heartily
a%pplauded and there was not a dis
senting voice to the report Of the Scale
Committee, which is as follows:
"First-That we agree to work on the
basis Of the award of the Anthracite
Coal Strike Commission for such period
Of time as may be agreed upon mu-
tually between the representatives OF
the anthracite coal mining companies
and our Scale Committee; provided,
that all men who suspended work on
April l, or since that time, OIL who
have been dismissed because they
stated that they would refuse to work
If q strike were declared, are rein-
stated in their former positions ana
working places.
"Second-That the Scale Committee
proceed at once to meet the represen-
tatives Of the coal companies with q
view to procuring an agreement upon
this basis.
. 'Third-That the convention shall re-
main in session until Tuesday, anu
the Scale Committee shall report to the
convention at that time.
"Fourth-That the suspension of
work shall continue until an agree
ment has been mac its terms ap-
proved by the con2NSn."
This recommendation was signed by
the full Scale Committee, adopted
unanimously by the convention and a
telegram sent to Mr.. Baer asking for a
conference. A favorable response was
received.
A leading coal operator said: "Be
assured that there will be no discrim-
ination against the. men,"
A telegram was received from Mr.
Baer to the same effect.
There is general rejoicing through
out the anthracite region by mine
workers and business men over John
Mitchell's declaration for peace in the
mine workers convention, and he is
being praised for preventing the con-
vention from precipitating a strike
which would have been long and bit
ter and caused widespread suffering.
In the opinion of many Mitchell has
gained strength with the public by the
manner in which he has brought the
crisis to such an outcome.