The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-03-19
Wages Demanded Not Excessive.

Wages Demanded Not Excessive.
I'VE have again reviewed the scale pre-
sCnted by us for similar classes of labor
In other coal-producing States and dis
tricts, and we are satisfied beyond the
pcradYenturc OF doubt that the wages
proposed are not in excess of-lndeed that
they arc not SO high-as the wages paid
In the bituminouS mining districts OF our
country
Judging from the language employed
IN your answer To US, IL Is perfectly evil
dent that We failed 10 make clear or that
you failed to understand the real import
OF the propositions submitted by US
we wish TO assure you that we are not
unmindful OF the great public interests
involved In this controversy as TO our fu-
ture relations. Neither are we unappre-
clUtlYc OF the splendid efforts made by
the anthracite coal strike commission TO
establish q relationship between us that
would insure Just and permanent peace;
but IL you VIII refer 10 the award of that
commission YOU viii find that the COM
mission Itself was In doubt as to the per-
mancncy Of its finding and expressed the
hope that al the expiration OF the award.
the relations Of operator and employee
would have so far improved as to make
impossible such n condition as existed
throughout the country In consequence OF
the strike I'm the anthracite region.
No Strike in Three Years.
we had entertained the hope that our
| adherence TO the letter and the spirit Of
| the award and the absence OF local or gen
| ctdl strikes during tnS past three years,
| would have apDeAled more strongly TO
| yoCr confidence and that we might
| reasonably expect serious consideration OF
| our claims at this time.
But ~ would seem from reading your
| reply, that all our propositions have been
| rejected and that your final decision has
| been given. We trust that this concep-
| tlon OF your intention Is Incorrect It is
| our opinion that neither YOU nor we can
| afford to break of negotiations IN this
| abrupt manner. So far as We and the
| interests we represent are concerned, We
| are not willing to accept any share OF the
| responsibility this action entails We be-
| BcVe that futher meetings should be hold
| and that should strive earnestly and
| Conscieutlously to reconcile our differ
| cnCeS.
Present Conditions Won't Do.
while 1t may be true that on the par,
| OF the operators there has been no serious
| cause for complaint during the past three
! pressing this opinion YOU do not renee,
| our Views. Not only has there been crit
| iclsm among the miners. but what is more
important, there exists much call for
| criticism and complaint. To such an cN-
| tent is this true, that we feel II incumbent
| upon us 10 say that we cannot with any
| degree of Contcntmcnt OF satisfaction con
! tinuc TO work under present conditions.
However, we repeat that the interests
| involved are so vast that we are not Will
ing to break on negotiations without flrs,
| making further efforts TO reconcile oul
| differences. We. therefore. propose thai
| further conference or conferences be helC
between now and the first OF April.
IF this suggestion meets with your ap
proyal we shall be pleased to arrange
with YOU "A date upon which our join
committee may reconvenc.'