Albuquerque evening citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1905-1907, 1906-01-16
Will Probably Determine
Peace or War in the
Coal World.
TO CONSIDER CONDITIONS
In Anthracite Field and Diff
ference Between Miners
and Operators.
INCLINED TO BIZ CONSERVATIVE

Indianapolis. Ind, Jan. 16.-The
question of war or peace in the coal
fields will largely depend upon the
result of the seventeenth annual con
vention of the United Nine Workers
of America, which opened here this
morning in Tomlinson Hall. The con-
vention was called TO rder by Presi-
dent John Mitchell, who delivered an
address. explaining the the present sit
uation and gave a clear statement of
/ the decisions of the Anthracite Min
ers' Convention at Shamokin. The
rest of the morning session was de.
voted to the appointment of comittees
and other routine business
There is a strong feeling of determ-
ination to stand together among the
delegates to the convention, based on
a full realization of the present situa-
tion and of the probable precipitation
of serious crisis, In case it should
be impossible to bring about an agree
: ment between the miners and the op-
I'erators.
All agreements as to wage scale,
etc, between the miner sand opera
tors, in the bituminous and anthracite
coal fields, expire on March 31st-
While 1t cannot be said that the con-
ditions in the bitnminous fields are
Ideal. it must be admitted that they
are by no means as serious as in the
anthracite fields. The miners in the
bituminous fields are not confronted
with as serious problems as those IN
the anthracite fields, owing to the de-
mands recently formulated by the an
| thracite miners at the Shamokin con-
vention. The miners In the bitumin,
Gus coal mines will undoubtedly make
certain demands beyond the conditions.
granted by the operators under the
present agreement, but 1t is believed
that an agreement will he quickly
reached without great struggle. II
Is different with the anthracite min
ers. All that can reasonably be hoped
for is that the operators, after mature
deliberation, will consent to submit
ting the matter to arbitration. The
principal obstacle in the way of set
tlement Is the demand of the miners
for recognition of their union. Many
operators are known to be bitterly op-
posed to recognition of the union,
as 1t would practically destroy any
opportunity of dealing with their men
individually A compromise is scarce
ly to be expected, as the miners fully
understand the vital Importance of the
demanded recognition, without which
no permanent improvement OF their
condition can be expected.
The demands of the anthracite min
ers will be the first matter TO be con-
sidered by the convention, and there
is but little doubt that the convention
viii strongly endorse these demands.
President Mitchell and his trusty lieu
tenants, District Presidents Fahy,
Nichols and Dettry, who are conduct
ing the campaign of the anthracite
miners, are confident that the con
vention will back up the anthracite
miners. At the same time they will
do their utmost to hold down the radi-
cal elemtnt among the delegates and
keep them from committing any indls-
cretion, which would preclpitate a war
between the miners and operators
without hope of final adjustment OF
the existing differences.