The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-03-30

sentatives OF the anthracite coal roads in
this city today:
philadelphia. March 30.
John Mitchell, Indianapolis:
lis It true. that pending negotiations,
you have, as stated In the newspapers, or
dered your followers not TO work In the
anthracite mines after April II
(Signed) GEORGE +. BAER."
II was also stated at the operators
headquarters here that neither Mr.. Baer
nor any other OF the presidents OF the an
thracte coal carrying railroads has yet
received any word from Indianapolis tell
ing OF the order for the hard coal miners
20 strike on Monday.
IL was reported In this city today that
some OF the anthracite railroads had pre-
pared for the strike by hiring men TO take
the places OF those who quit work. but
this was denied at the operators head
quarters today. 1t was stated that some
OF the operators had suggested that a
constabulary force be enlisted as was
done In the last great strike but this was
discouraged by a majority OF the opera
tors and they decided to rely entirely up
on the state of Pennsylvania TO protect
their property during the projected strike.
TELEGRAM TO PREsIDENT.'
Washington. March 3o-.Presdent Roose-
welt today authorized the publication OF
two telegrams received by him last night.
One came from John III. Winder. chair
man OF the bituminous coal opers tors
association at Indianapolis and the other
from John Mitchell. president OF the
United Mine Workers OF America and
Francis l.. Robbins. the largest coal
operators In the Pittsburg districts.
The telegram from Mr.. Windsor pro-
poses that the president appoint a COM
mission TO Investigate all matters which
in the judgment OF such commission had
an important bearing on the scale OF
wages which should be paid all classes
OF labor in coal mines OF the territory
involved. He proposes that the commits
sion report to the president its findings
OF fact together with It's recommendations
and suggests that the commission have
power to administer oaths and compel
the attendance OF witnesses
The telegram signed by Messrs. Mitchell
and Robbins takes issue with the state
ment made In the telegram signed by
Mr. Winder. saying that II does not repre-
sent the real facts. They assert that
one-han OF the total tonnage In western
Pennsylvania Ohio, Indiana and Illinois
Is produced by operators who are will
ing TO pay the compromise scale. The
president has taken no action In the mat
ter as yet.
The telegram OF Mr. Winder simply
transmits the resolutions adopted by the
coal operators In Indianapolis, the text OF
which was published this morning The
kilograms from Messrs. Mitchell and Rob-
bins says:
Indianapolis. Ind, March 70, 1906.
Hon. Theodore ooeevelt--Respoudin
TO your suggestion we have fulflled our
highest duties as citizens OF our country
by advocating bituminous coal scale on
a reasonable compromise. We understand
that a telegram has been sent 10 you to-
| night purporting 10 speak for 80 per cent.
Of the bituminous tonnage. That telegram
does not represent the real facts. At
| least one-half OF the tonnage In western
Pennsylvania, ohio, Indiana and Illinois
Is produced by operators who are willing
10 pay the compromise scale
(Signed)
JOHN MITCHELL,
FRANCIS /. ROBBINS"