The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1906-01-20
BOSSES READY. TO. 7.
DISCUSS SCALE
WITH +: :. MINERS
John Mitchell Announces to
Convention That Satisfac-
tory Progress Is Being Made
Toward a Conference to Es-
tablish New Wage Scale.
He Also Says That Miners Ac-
copied Reduction In Hard
Times and Now They Must
Insist On Getting Raise to
Balance Up.

INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 16.-President
John Mitchelrs announcement this aft
ernoon that satisfactory progress Is
being made toward a conference be-
tween the mine workers and the oper-
ators OF. the anthracite region" drew
round after round of applause from L.
200 delegates assembled here for the
seventh annual convention of the Uni
ted Mine workers of America, which
began at 10 a. m.
The announcement was made in the
course of the presidents annual report
almost as an Incidental remark. There
was no further explanation in regard to
the anthracite situation from Mr..
MITCHELL but when, few minutes later,
there was rumor that President
Thomas Of the Lehigh Valley company
had said that the anthracite operators
had agreed to hold a conference with
committee of mine workers, the enthu-
siasm knew no bounds.
- Lewis Makes Report.
When Mr.. Mitchell had finished read
ing his report, Vice President Lewis told
Of the work of organization, which has
proceeded during the year just ended at
tremendous pace, and also gave
glimpses Of his connection with the adj
justment of many difficulties which
arose turing Tie year III "luely ocpdl
ated parts of the country. Secretary
Treasurer Wilson's report gave the
statistics of the organization in full.
In his annual address President
Mitchell in speaking of the policy to
be pursued by the miners in the coming
joint conference with the coal oper-
ators, said:
MitcheIPs Address.
Il am conscious Of the fact that more
than ordinary significance attaches 10
anything I may say as to the policy we
should pursue when we meet the oper-
ators in joint convention; especially is
this true at the present time, when it
is we'll known that the miners of prac-
tically the entire country will soon be
released of contract obligations and
that they and their employers will be
compelled, in the event Of a disagree
ment, to find some other means Of ad-
justing their relations.
I'm connection with this subject, it
may not be aniss to review briefly the
history of the recent past.
!. Reviews Viewing Depression.
you will recall the depression in the
coal trade in the fall ard winter of
1902, which eliminated in a reduction
| of wages in the spring Of 1904. The
adverse conditions prevailing at that
time continued during, the year: 1904.
and even UP to the spring of 1905. From
that time on, there was gradual i'm
provement both in prices and tonnage,
which hac continued until the present;
and if the activity in the iron market
in the railroad, industrial and CONNER
cial affairs Of the country is any barom-
eter by which future conditions may be
forecasted, the prospect Of continued
prosperity in the mining industry seems
assured
No Philanthropy In 1t.
Il recognize the fact that there is lit
tie sentiment and no philanthropy in
the determination of our general wage
agreements; however, it appears to me
| that ina smuch as we gave relief to our