Evening star., 1906-03-15
The Ryan Resolution.

fered by Mr.. Ryan of Illinois, that no dis
trlct should sign a wage agreement until
all the districts signed. This action, known
as the Ryan resolution. will come before
the convention for aotfon Unless 1t is re-
scinded the bituminous miners cannot sign
wage agreement until the anthra acite
miners sign an agreement with their op-
orators.
The operators. on the other hand de-
manded a reduction of from 10 to 10 per
cent, protection against stampede strikes
ana better system of adjudicating local
troubles.
Since the adjournment of the former con-
vention and joint conference President
Mitchell has conferred with Mr. F. l.. Rob
bins and other leaders of the operators, and
Ioilo"lns Bs me reception of letter from
president Roosevelt addressed to both Mr.
Robbins and Mr. Mitchell, the miners
president called this convention and the
operators were called for joint confer
ence.
1t was announced at the time the call was
issued that Mr. Robbins and other operators
had made an effort to restore the wage
scale or TWO years ago, which would be an
advance of $50 per cent over tho nrs.a,,t ~
scale.
President Mitchell addressed the conven-
tion as follows:
President Mitchell's Address.
I'm formally declaring this convention
open for the transaction of business II NAV
not be amiss-indeed. 1t seems quite proper-
that l should report the prIncinaI incidap+s
and causes which prompted the call for this
extraordinary meeting of the United Mine
workers of America. and in addition there
10 make some suggestions for your guidance
which may facilitate the work of the con-
Vention, and hope prove helpful In re-es-
tabIlsh1ng our relations with the opera tors
upon basis which will be just to them rea
sonabiy satisfactory to the great constft-
uency we represent, and at the same time
properly considerate of the welfare of
the entire country, whose interests cannot
be disregarded with impunity bv anv class
or citizens, regardless of its strength or in
fuence. "
While in >~g York attending meotings
OF the anth .te committee appointed nv
the Shamok.n convention, held on Decem,
per ia report or which was submitted at
our annual convention. first by accident
and then by arrangement-I met ana baId
several conferences with Mr.. Francis
Robbins, president of the Pittsburg Coal
Coinpahy, ~ "a subsequently with other op-
orators prominent participants In our la st
joint conventions. At these conferences tie
question of our disagreement unon ,be
wage scale was discussed IN an Informal
way. L also held conferences with sa,nnai
of the leading and active WORKER jn n'9iai ,,'a.
own movement. so that might inform ~
self more fully as to the status OF afyairs
IN the various parts of the country co far
sis as IL ailected the interests of our organize
lioh ana the welfare of our people
Hoped for an Agreement.
AS result Of these meetings we came
to believe that there had been such cbapges
In the coal trade. or at least in the att,tnde
OF the many operators, as to Justify the
hope that there was a possibility OF roach.
ing an agreement, provided the joint condi-
tions were reconvened
Aside. however, from nv own irnnres.
Sons ,,h aiiu ehe impressions of those of my
colleagues with whom l consulted the fol.
lowing letter from the President of the
United States, addressed to Mr. Rohhins
and to me, seemed sufficient justification IN
WaTraht ourselves and our employers In
making another effort to reach an agree
ment:
THE WHITE HOUSE.
Washington. February "a. 1866.
Sir-I note with very great concern tha
failure In your late convention on joint in
terstate agreement to come to a basis of
settlement of the bituminous mining Gale
of wages. You. in this business, have en-
joyed a great Industrial peace for MANY
years. thanks to the joint trade agreement
successive conventions A strike such as
is threaterted on April / is menace to the
peace. the business interests and the gen.
eral welfare of the country. urge you to
ity. You and Mr.. Robbins are joint chair
men of the trade agreement committee OF
the National Civic Federation.
1t seems to me that this imposes an ad-
additional reason why each of you should
Join in making this further effort
(Signedl THEODORE ROOSEVELT
II take this occasion to report offlcially
that the operators of both the central COM
petitiye and the southwestern fields have
called meetings OF their representatives, to