New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-31
MR.. MITCHELL HOPEFUL
Believes adoption Of Resolutions
Best Possible ActiOn.

Indianapolis. March Characterization Of the
threatened strike Of bitumiuous coal miners on
April was obtained to-day by the United Mine
Workers Of America. who before adjourninae
without day authorized national and district
officers to sign wage agreements with any coal
operator who would agree to pay the scale OF
1903 or its equivalent for a period OF two years.
This is an advance Of $50 per cent in wages IN
Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Western Pennsyl-
vania and all other districts except the South
west composed OF Missouri. Kansas. Texas. Ar
kansas and the Indian Territory. where an ad-
vance Of three cents a ton is demanded as the
1903 scale is in force in that district.
As many operators have signihed a willingness
to pay the advance, the number Of miners that
intend to strike on April / will probably be uIti-
mately reduced by many thousands. It is proba-
bic that most soft coal miners will cease work
on April l. although the cessation Of labor VIII
be temporary in those districts where the in
creased wages can be obtained
The convention declined the offer made bv the
operators OF Indiana. Illinois and Ohio. to submit
the wage differences TO arbitration. Where a
coal operator owns mines in different districts
the scale must be signed for ali the properties
at the same time before any OF his mines will be-
allowed to run
The action OF the convention probably will
bring out Of the mines Of the country, on April
the bituIuIaous fields. These viii remain on
strike # Is said. until settlements have been
signed by district or with individual operators
The only miners. it is said that viii go to work
on Monday will be 25.OOO men in the New River
Pocahontas Fairmount and Central fields OF
West Virginia, where a truce has been signed
temporarily.
The joint state conventions Of the outlying
districts. which viii be held next week at
Iowa: Saginaw. Mich, and CleardeId. in Central
Pennsylvania, were empowered under the action
Of the convention to-day to sign agreements
with the operators OF those states il they agree
to pay the 1903 scale.
The men Will return TO work as soon as the
scale is signed. II there is disagreement in these
state conventions any OF the miners can sign
the scale and resume work where individual
operators pay the advanced scale.
Il IS anticipated that the scale will be signed
in a few days by employers or seventy-fve thou
sand miners. The Pittsburg Coal Company and
F. L. Robbins. Of Western Pennsylvania. who
also own mines in Ohio. Illinois and West vir-
gina, will, IT is expected. sign at once. together
with a number OF independent operators. The
miners expect 10 get the advance in all the
Indiana mines south of the Baltimore & Ohio
Railroad. in a number OF Central Indiana mines
in one-half Of the Illinois mines and in a large
OF the strike in Michigan. Kentucky Central
Pennsylvania, Iowa and West Virginia cannot be
determined until the state conventions meet next
week.
President Mitchell said to-day he believed
operators controlling One-half OF the tonnage
Of illinois, Indiana. Ohio and Western PennsyI-
vania would sign soon. The miners expect few
operators in the Southwest viii sign at once.
The national executive board viii meet to-
morrow morning TO take up the details OF man
aging the strike
The convention cost the miners organization
100000 for expenses OF delegates There is in
the national district and local treasures OF the
miners s.. 100000. Of which 100000 is in the
national treasury.
President Mitchell expects TO leave Sunday for
New York To meet in joint conference with the
anthracite operators NauZ00s-- Secretary VIII
son viii leave at the same time 70 attend the
Central Pennsylvania convention st Clearfeld
President Mitchell had control OF the conven-
ton throughout its session EIe signifed to-
day that IL the cOnvecrls- 1lc not adopt the
resolution permitting rl-e.s % sign wherever
the advance scale vas paii bs would resign
The vote was almost unanimous. although Vice
President Lewis tock g. vigorous position
against It.