New-York tribune., 1906-05-06
PEACE in COAL FIELD.
MINERS YIELD POINT.
Yote to Aceept Commissions Asgard
on lfiIchcIgs Adrice.

Scranton, Penn. May 5-The min rs Couven-
ton to-day. the advice OF President NItches.,
representing the sub-scale committee. unan.-
mously voted 10 adopt the first proposition OF
the operators. continuation Of the award oe
the Anthracite Coal Strike Commission. with the
modification that the term for which It is 20
continue shall be mutually agreed on, The
operators suggestion that II should be at
least three years The action OF the conven-
ton, with a request for a conference Monday.
was telegraphed by President Mitchell to Chair
man George F. Baer OF the operators commit
tee and an answer was received agreeing 20 a
conference at 2 O'Clock Monday afternoon at the
Jersey Central Offices in New York City.
The only subjects TO be discussed at the con-
ference are the length OF time the award shall
continue. and the provision that there shall BE
no discrimination against the men who Obeyed
the mine workers suspension order II Is prac-
tically certain that the operators will not accede
to any suggestion for two year agreement. al
that would throw the next conference into a
Presidential year, and as the miners viii not
want a long term agreement, the chances are
that a three-year agreement viii be eventually
entered on An intimation has REACHED here
from President Baer that the operators viii not
discriminate against the miners now on suspen-
sion. and the local representatives OF the coal
| companies say the same thing
II looks therefore. as II strike has been
averted and that the miners will return 10 work
probably. on Monday. May a.
MR. MITCHELL FEARS STRIKE
In his address to the convention. in present.
/ ing the report Of the scale commission 1Er.
Mitchell said in part:
/ am in favor Of raising the low paid men 10
the standard Of the high paid men. During tho
six or seven years that have been in the move
nleht IN the anthracite region have learned to
know much about conditions here. want to as
sure you that I not at all pleased with the
wages or conditions believe they should be
In considering the policy Of the organization
we must nrst consider its possibilities. If were
sure strike would be successful that you could
win. that YOU would stand together, would ad-
wise you 70 strike and stay away from the mines
unIh we got better conditions.
But from the information have received from
al parts OF the region am fearful that our peO-
pie are not I'm shape for strife.
know that there are many among rs VbO ara
/ not In sympathy with strike movement We
must retain what we have rather than lose what
j We have gained in the last two strikes.
In deciding this question. may ask you to do
/ it without passion sentiment but with due
regard TO what Is best now?
He urged them. whatever their decision. to
stand together. accepting without reservation
the conclusion Of the majority
MITCHELL's FORMAL STATEMENT
AT the close Of the convention President Mitch
| ell made the following statement:
| For several months we have been endeavor-
ing to negitiate a wage scale and adjustment
OF conditions OF employment with the repre-
Sentat1EeS of the anthracite coal mining CONF
panies. During these negotiations we made a
number OF propositions each Of which material
4 ly modified original demands We did this
| not because we we're convinced that our original
! propositions were unfair or wrong. but purely
for the purpose OF finding a common ground
/ upon which we could reach an agreement that
/ would secure and maintain peace in the anthra-
cite coal industry. We still believe that our first
proposition was reasonably fair. notwithstand-
/ ing the mod1ncauonS we have since made IN
/ the interest OF peace. and now we are face 20
face with the alternative Of continuing at work
/ under our former conditions or declaring a
/ strike. In this crisis your committee recon-
mends the following policy:
First-That we agree to work on the basis OF
/ the award Of the Anthracite Coal Strike Com
/ mission for such period Of time as may be
/ agreed upon mutually between the representa-
/ tives Of the anthracite coal mining companies
| and our scale COMMITTEES. provided that all men
| who suspended work April I or since that
time or who have been dismissed because they
/ stated that they would refuse 20 work II 4
| strike we're declared, are reiustated In their
/ former positions and working places
| SecOnd-That the scale committee proceed st
/ once to meet the representatives OF the coal
| companies. with a view OF securing an agree
| ment upon this basis.
| until Tuesday. and the scale committee shall re-
| port 20 the convention at that time
FOurth-That the suspension OF work shall
| continue until an agreement has been made and
its terms approved by the convention
This recommendation was suggested by the
/ full scale committee. and was adopted unani-
| nously by the convention. A telegram 90 Olr.
Baer. proposing conference on Monday. was
/ sent If Favorable response is received. the sub
COMMITTEES VIII proceed to New York to arrange
the details Of settlement, and will report 20 the
1 convention Tuesday morning
This recommendation was signed by the fun
scale committee adopted unanimously by the
convention and a telegram was sent % Mr..
Baer. proposing conference on Monday.
JOY IN THE COAL FIELDS.
The news that the convention had decreed
against a strike was received with great Joy
throughout this region. Since the delegates be-
gan TO arrive in Scranton. on Wednesday il was
felt that the result OF the convention would be
the Transforming OF the suspension into a strike.
and that the strike when II did come. would be
a long one. attended by much disorder. Il was
not until last night that indications pointed %
even a possibility OF peace. Now that peace is
assured. there is rejoicing on every hand. al
| though as yet there have been no demOnstTa-
tions other than individual expressions
| To the miners themselves the news q very
| satisfactory They were willing 20 strike Il
John Mitchell thought they ought 20. but they
are glad that he decided otherwise
Regarding the ruInored possibilities Of the
operators continuing the suspension as a puni-
tive lockout In the guise Of an enforced idle
ness on account OF a glutted market. Colonel r.
| A. Phillips OF the Delaware. Lackawanna &
Western Company's mines. said to-day that the
prospects OF a good summer were bright
In his opinion there might be slack time FOR
some two weeks about June /. but after the
middle OF June there would be good and pros
porous times in the coal regions. with the mines
working nearly full time. He based this predic-
tiOn on the fact that while there are fair stocks
| IN the East. the Western market Is absolutely
( empty, and there Will be q EFealeF demand for