Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-02-20
WORK Is LEFT TO
subcommittee
OPERATORS AND MINERS NAME
MEN WHO WILL ATTEMPT TO
EFFECT AGREEMENT.
JOINT CONFERENCE is
OF SHORT DURATION
Proposals of Coal Diggers Submitted
to Employers-Want Eight-Hour-
Day Without Reduction in Wages
Ask Recognition Of Union.

New York, Feb. 16.-The conference
between the coal operators and the
union mine workers of the hard coal
fields of Pennsylvania, scheduled for
Thursday, was in session for about an
hour. On adjournment the following
joint statement regarding the proceed
ings of the meeting was issued:
There was full representation of
the mine operating companies and the
miners. The meeting was called to
order with Mr.. Cornell in the chair.
Mr.. Mitchell addressed the meeting
stating in general terms the PROPOSE
ton desired by the miners, stating that
the same had not been entirely formu-
lated in detail. After brief discussion
mine operators should each appoint a
committee to represent them in the fu-
ture in reference to the matter, the
committees to consist of seven each
The following gentlemen were ap-
pointed to represent the miners:
Messrs. John Mitchell, John Fahy,
Georgs Hartlein, w, H, pettrey, John
P. Gallagher, 7. D. Nichols, John T.
Dempsey, and the following to repre-
sent the mine operators: Messrs. Baer,
Truesdale, Kerr, Wilcox, Williams,
Thomas, Cake.
The understanding was that after
the committee terminated their work
they should report to the committee of
the whole. An adjournment was then
had with the understanding that the
committee would arrange for further
meetings.
Proposals Of Miners.
It was learned from various sources
that among the proposals submitted to
the mine operators by the union rep
resentatives are those for an eight
hour day without any reduction in
wages for all employees paid by the
hour, day or week, uniform wage
scale in the three anthracite districts
for the different classes of employees;
adequate compensation for dead
work" performed by contract miners;
reconstruction of the board of concil-
iation; an increase in wages of from
10 to 20 per cent. for all company
men; the adoption Of system by
which coal shall be paid for by weight
wherever practicable, and the recogni-
ton Of the union.
The union mine workers in the an
thraette region have never been en-
tirely satisfied with the award Of the
strike commission. The men gained
considerable through the award, but
they feel that they did not receive all
they are justly entitled to. The prin-
cipal awards made by the commission
in 1903 briefly stated were:
Tea per cent. increase In wages for
all contract miners.
Eight-hour day, without any reduc-
ton in pay, for engineers employed in
hosting water.
Five per cent increase in wages
for engineers and pump men other
than those engaged in hosting water.
Nins-honr day for all employees paid
by the hour. day or week, except those
mentioned above.
A Cancellation board of six-three
representing the miners and three OPP
erators-to settle disputes growing out
Of different interpretations of the COM
missions award.
A sliding scale, giving all employees
an increase Of one per cent. In COM
psnsation for each increase Of five
cents in the average price of coal sold
In New York harbors above $3.50 top
{. o. b.