The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-30

II was also asserted tnat many OF the
miners. knowing that some were at work,
would soon become discouraged and would
either flock to Robbins's union mines or
seek contracts with their employers re-
Eardless Of the strike order. Some favored
the plan Of letting Robbins carry on work
in his mines. but those who attended the
caucuses were almost a unit in opposition
TO it.
Word had come to the leaders OF the
miners rega riding the Cauc,lses before the
general convention met. and when 1t as
sembled at 8 O'Clock President Mitchell
made no reference whatever to Robbins
He called attention to the fact that the
scale committee, without authority from
the general convention, had receded from
it's demand for an increase OF 12L per cent.
and had offered to readopt the scale oil
OF 1908, and he said that the delegates had
been called together to know if this ac-
ton was to receive their approval.
There was some heated discussion re-
earding the attitude of the operators, and
many speeches were made in favor OF
breaking of all relations and entering upon
a strike, but the position Of the scale COM
mittee was approved. 1t was plain to
Mitchell that the delegates were not in a
humor to consider a separate contract
with Robbins and he adjourned the con-
vention for the final conference with the
operators.
1t required short work to show that
the operators were willing to assume every
responsibility that attaches to their re-
fusal to agree to the scale of 1908. AS
soon as the Joint conference met, Mitchell
presented the scale again as the miners
final proposition. Robbins and a few OF
the independent operators of Pennsylvania
voted with the miners for the scale and the
Illinois, Indiana and Ohio operators voted
eolidly against 1t.
While the debate on the proposition
was in progress there was a sensational
scene in which President Mitchell and
President Parker Of the Madison Coal
Company figured. Rcplying to a question,
Parker said he was president Of the Madi-
son Coal Company and purchasing agent
of the Illinois Central Railroad and he be-
lieved that Mitchell was glad he was.
Mitchell demanded an explanation and
Parker said that he mad issued transporta-
ton on Mitchell's order. Mitchell de-
nounced the assertion IA untrue and said
that he had never ridden on a pass. Parker
replied that he had not favored Mitchell
personally" with "A pass, but intimated
that transportation had been given to
others on Mitchell's request.
President Robbins expects TO meet the
miners tomorrow. or at least have the
question presented TO all the delegates to
the convention, and secure a decision at
once. Robbins does not intend to leave
the CITY till the question is finally settled.
lie if determined to attempt TO run his
mines. consent OF no consent by the organi-
ration, and it is minated that many OF
the miners in his employ have assured
him that, having accepted the offer of the
scale committee, they would not hesitate
to work in tine face of a refusal.
Robbins feels confident that many Of his
miners will ignore a strike order for his
mines, if one is issued, and says that It IL
not improbable that the miners Of western
Pennsyly ania will break away from the
mine workers organization and form one
of their own.
President Mitchell will leave here for the
East as soon as the miners convention adj
iourns, but he has no hope now of getting
such a settlement from the anthracite mine
owners a. he would have expected had the
negotiations with the bituminous operators
ItFulNtA III NlIN SIN w " $3.50
1t was not till last night that he believed
a settlement here impossible AMI it is
thought by some of his personal friends
that, had the miners shown a more con-
ciliatory attitude in the convention this
morning. he would have proposed accept
ing the present scale for a year 80 as to
make the fight for an eight hour day and
recognition of the union in the Est. The
- .ua-1 ., rnttn IN hAurnVnF
that he knew they would not entertain such
a proposition and he was forced to make the
last stand for them on the 1903 scale.
Ever since the Shamokin convention. at
which the demand for an eight hour Gay
and recognition Of the union was formu-
lated, it has been the expectation of the
miners leaders to make the fight for the
anthracite miners on money furnished
by the bituminous miners. They never
expected that the operators would permit
the competitive district to go to pieces
rather than paw an advance.
Mitchell, Lewis, Ryan and others have
said to their intimates in the organization
that the great fight of the future must be
for recognition Of the union in the anthra-
cite fields, and if that were attained every
nil or in that section would enter the or
g liZation.
Mitchell was reminded that he couldn't
get to New York before saturday, IF a
strike i. declared in the bituminous fields
will you 20 away from headquarters just
when il goes into effect" he was asked
Unless otherwise ordered by the con-
~vention ] shall go to the anthracite region
as soon a. | can get away, he said,
The chief concern now of Mitchell and his
supporters in the organization is about
finances. On December l there was
$3se. 600 in the national treasury and about
ST., 900 a month has been added to that
sum from assessment and taxes, but the
meeting Of the convention has been a heavy
drain upon the fund and there is on hand
now only about $500, 900.
As soon as a strike is ordered there is an
INDECENT class among the miners who will
expect to be provided for, and il the strike
should he protracted the p"mber would be
added to every day.
There will be no income from the btu :
minous fields should the Pennsylvania
bituminous miners not be allowed to work
and very little from them if they should
continue in the mines. As the reports CT
c.z.o,,, Vrooeurar Wilson show that over