Omaha daily bee., 1906-02-16
SCALE FOR ANTHRACITE MEN
Conference Between Miners and Operators
Begins in New York.
MITCHELL PRESENTS LIST OF DEMANDS
IL f. Referred 60 special subcom-
mittee of seven from Each side
Outlook for settlement
Good.

mittee of seven from Each side
Outlook for settlement
Good.
NEW YORK, Feb. l5.-rhe special scale
committee of the United Anthracite Mine
Workers of Pennsylvania appeared before
the presidents and officials of the coal
mining companies here today and stated In
general terms the propositions II desired
the operators to grant and then retired TO
| formulate in detail the demands. Before
the conference adjourned, two subcomnit-
tees OF seven men each were appointed.
one representing the miners and the other
the operators. to take up Jointly the ques-
lions at issue and endeavor to reach an
agreement. When these committees have
! completed their work they will make a re-
port to the conference. The utmost good
feeling prevailed during the meeting and
there were many signs that all matters
at issue may be settled without resort to
a strike. The conference SO far as Il re-
lated to the coal companies, was the most
representative that has ever been held.
Every coal company in the anthracite
region was represented President Mitchell
Of the Miners union was the spokesman
| VI Tue eInplOyes ana naue u speech tidl
was well received by the operators. The
meeting was held behind closed doors in
the general Offices OF the Trunk Line asso-
citation and lasted less than an hour. After
the conference the following statement was
given out:
joint Statements.
The following joint statements were is
sued after the meeting:
f,,I NJ tho
mine operating companies and the miners
| The meeting was called to order with Mr..
Mr. Mitchell addressed the meeting. stat
ing in general terms the proposition de
sired by the miners, stating that the same m,
| After a brief discussion 1t was concluded
that the mine owners and mine operators
should each appoint committee to repre-
| sent them In the future In reference to the
each. The following were appointed 70
Mltchell, John Fahey. George HARLEM,
w. II. Dettrey, John p. Gallagher, I. -
Nichols, John T. Dempsey, and the fol-
| lowing to represent the mine operators
| Messrs. Baer, Truesdale, Kerr, WILCOX
Williams. Thomas, Cake.
mittee tepmnated heir Ma work they e should
report to the committee OF the whole.
An adjournment was then had, with the
understanding that the committee would
arrange for further meetings
Beyond the Information contained in the
statement given out, nothing could be
learned as to what occurred at the con-
ference. 1t is believed, however. that the
demands are substantially the same a:
those made public at the time of the meet
ing of the miners at Shamokin last De-
cember. These demands call for an eight
hour day without any reduction in wages
for employees paid by the hour, day oil
week, a uniform wage scale for all classes
OF employees; 10 to 20 per cent increase il
wages; a reconstruction of the board Of
Cancellation and the recognition of thu
union. There are other grievances of {
minor nature.
subcommittee at Work.
Immediately after the adjournment of thu
conference the miners representatives re
turned to their headquarters where tn,
subcommittee held preliminary meeting
to discuss plans. After an hours confer
ence it was announced that the sub-com
mittee will begin the work of formulating
the demands in detail tomorrow morning
In the meantime the other members of tn
scale committee will remain in New Yorl
for consultation. 1t is not known wheI
the miners subcommittee will be read!
to meet the subcommittee of the operator
as it expects to go into the minutest de
tails in presenting the miners case. 1t il
probable that they will not be able I,
make a report before the early part of mex
week. ...
The union mine workers in the anthracite
region have never been entirely satisfe,
with the award OF the strike commission
The men gained considerable through tn
award, but they feel that they did no
receive all they are justly entitled TO. Tn
principal awards made by the commission
in 1903 briefly stated, were:
Ten per cent increase in wages for al
contract miners.
Eight hour day without any reduction IL
pay for engineers employed in hoistin
water.
Five per cent increase in wages TO
engineers and pumpmen, other than thos
engaged in hosting wate,:
Eight hour day for hremen withou
Nine hour day for all employees paid b.
the hour, day or week, except those men
toned above.
resenting the miners and three operators
to settle, disputes growing out of diff
; ferent interpretations OF the commission
A sliding scale giving all employees a
increase of one per cent in compensate
! for each increase Of cents in the ayers s
above $3.50 ton T. o. b.
Hope for an Agreement.
the operators and the representatives q
the men were hopeful of an amicabl
agreement The experience of both side
in the great strike OF 1902 has caused ther
to approach the present situation in
conciliatory mood. In that contest tin
= mine workers, according to estimates mad
! by the strike commission, lost in wage
; about SIS 10000 and the coal production
: fell on 4.6oo,cOo tons. The receipts Of tn
> coal companies in that year were reduces
S46 10000 and those of the railroads abou
s2S 10000, making a total loss in 1902 o
, about s123, 10000. In order to avoid anothe
contest and not disturb the Industry, tn
) operators are ready to make concession
in the way of the correction Of grievance
that have arisen during the life of tn
, commissions award. This is indicated II
! the letter of President Wilcox of tn
t Delaware & Hudson company to MI
! Mitchell The attitude Of the miners