The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-03-12
MINE OWNERS
 STAND FIRM They Reject Demands of
 the Union. @oPEN SHOP' THEIR RULE Counter Proposition Suggests Con- tinuation of Contracts. Anthracite Coal Operators AnaIyxe Terms of workers and Will Not Agree.--MItcheIl Goes to In
 dianapolis.
aoPEN SHOP" THEIR RULE

New York. March 1.-The proposi- tions of the United Mine Workers of America for readjustment of wages and conditions in the anthracite coal fields as a whole. on having been de- nied by the ,committee representing the anthracite operators, as counter prop sition, the operators suggest that the awards made by the anthracite coal strike commission, the principals upon which they were established. and tho methods established for carrying out their findings and awards. shall be continued for further term of three years from the first day of April 1906. The present agreement terminates March s1 of this year.
 Announcement of the anthracite op- orators decisions and their counter proposition. was made tonight In a long formal statement, which was given out for publication. This statement, which includes the correspondence on the subjects at issue between Presi- dent John Mitchell of the United Mine Workers. acting for the mine workers. and George F. Baer. President of the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company for the operators. discusses the miners propositions in every detail. In every instance the contention is made by the operators either that con ditions in the coal fields do not war rant the change proposed by the min
 
 ready have been passed upon by the strike commission. The demand of the miners that the operators enter into an agreemnt with the union Is declin- cd on the ground that the anthracite operators stand unalterably for the open shop and again decline to make an agreement with the United Mine Workers of America, "an organization controlled by a rival industry"
 The Eight Hour Day.
 Of the demand for an eight hour day, the statement says the operators know of no change in conditions that can be used to sustain the renewed demand for reduction in hours. It declares lhat the expectation of the strike com mittee that the reduction from ten to nine hours should not result in any de- nyease in the output of the mines" has not been realized. and adds:
 We might justly say that within the experience of the past three years the Zen hour day should be restored; but we are willing to abide by the decision of the commission" The proposition That a uniform scale of wages be estab- lished in the anthracite fields is met by the operators with the reply that this would be impracticable by reason of the varying capacities of the work men and the varying conditions exist ing in the region, and at the collieries
 We cannot increase wages without advancing the price of coal; and we are not willing to advance the price of coal" Is the reply for the demand for a general increase in. wages
 The request that the operators shall collect from each employe certain stat ed sums for the support of the mine workers union is denied on the ground that as matter of policy. we could not make such an agreement as you re- quest. and as matter of law we are not permItted to make ith
 The operators decline to agree to any change in the Board or Cancellation as established by the anthracite cial strike comission, taking the ground that the system proposed by the miners would simply involve the creation of a series of minor boards, whose decisions might he conflicting. and from which ap- peals would have to be taken to an ar hitrator, thereby creating more delay than now exists. The complaint of the miners that the Board of Consolidation does not act promptly, the operators declare to be not warranted by tho 1 facts. The demand for a new sliding wage | scale Is denied on the ground that the | sliding scale fixed by the anthracite | coal strike commission covers practi- | cally all the propositions in the pro- posed new scale.
 Demands of Miners.
  which were prepared by a committee | of seven, with John Mitchell as chair man, were forwarded to President | Baer, chairman of a similar committee representing the anthracite operators | on February 27 They sought to pro- | Vide for an agreement between the [ representatives of the United Mine | Workers of America and of tho various | anthracite operating companies. that | certain wages, rates, hours of labor and conditions of employment should | become effective April 1, 1906, and | continue fin effect until April 1, 1907 | The proposals included the estab- lishment of an eight hour day for all persons covered by the agreement, a readjusted scale of wages with an increase of ten per cent. above the award made by the strike commission for contract miners: a new sliding scale providing for an increase l of one per cent in wages for all mine | workers affected by the agreement of coal in the sizes known as grate egg, stove and chestnut sold at or near New York above $4.50 per ton, the rate of compensation in no case to be less than that fixed by the agreements; the recognition of a mine committee from the union with full authority to take up with the officials of a company any dispute or grievanre which may arise at a colliery.
 Tn case or 1ailure or the mine | committee and the officials of the com uany to bring about a settlement the rrievence under the plan proposed by the miners would be referred to the ofdcials of the district. who would take the matter up with the general supterintendent or manager of the company for adjustment; in event of the failure of these officers to agree, the compIaintants then might present the grievances with the campaign to d board of conciliation. It was propos- cd that the whole anthracite coal re- zion be divided into three districts and that the board of conciliation be made up of four representatives fro meach of these districts. two members from each district to be chosen by the miners and two by the operators. In event of the board failing to reach an agree ment upon any grievance, it was pro- posed that the board then select an arbitrator to whom the grievance