Omaha daily bee., 1906-04-08
OPERATORS IN CONFERENCE
Anthracite Mine Owners Meet to Consider
Reply to Mitohell's Offer,
NORMAL CONDITIONS At PTTsBURG
Ninety-Five Per cent of Bituminous
Miners In District No. Are at
Work-I.eaders Pleased
with Progress.

NEW YORK, April "A conference Of
anthracite coal operators was held here
this afternoon 20 consider the reply to be
made on Monday to the subcommittee of
the Shamokin scale committee OF the
miners. The session was a brief one and
at its conclusion It was announced the
operators would meet again on Monday,
prior to the Joint session with the mine
workers. That the operators will have
some sort of counter plan for the arbltra-
ton proposed by President Mitchell is quite
generally believed here tonight, but no
intimation of its character can be had.
Todays conference was attended by all the
principal operators Of the anthracite region.
President Mitchell remained at miners
headquarters at the Ashland house through
out the day. Only three or four of his
assistants are in the city, most Of the
leaders having gone to their homes over
Sunday
Mr.. Mitchell reiterated today the state
ment he has already made to the effec.
that he is well satisfied with the progress
of affairs in the western and southwestern
states. Reports from his men in the field,
he said, are up TO his expectations
President Frank Feehan Of the United
Miners district organization announced
this afternoon that from the number Of
signatures to the agreement received up to
noon today mines producing full so per
cent of tonnage of the Pittsburg district
will be in operation on Monday. In add
ton to those already reported the most
Youghioghney & Ohio Coal company and
its alleged interests which produce an
nually over 100000 tons. The signing of
the agreement to pay the 1903 scale was in
| terpreted by the independents to mean the
ora nj nj oil ba
by the miners during the last two years.
Miners stand by Mitchell.
PHILADELPHIA. April THE end of
the first week OF idleness in the anthracite
coal region. following President AIitchells
order suspending mining operations pend
ing the result of the negotiations between
the operators and mine representatives in
New York, finds the mine workers staunch
in the support of Mitchell, with no signs
of wavering. 1t cannot be said that the
optimistic views held by the mine workers
during the early part of the suspension
are so generally entertained, but there
appears to be no lack of confidence in
President Mitchells judgment This was
evidenced at the meetings of the miners
locals, which were held throughout the
region during the latter part of the week.
In every instance IL is reported that resolu-
| tons were adopted expressing confidence
in Mr. Mitchell and pledging full support
of any action he might deem necessary.
1t is reported that If President Mitchelrs
arbitration plan is accepted by the oper-
ators the miners leader will endeavor TO
have the anthracite freight earnings of the
coal carrying roads a part of the miners
case before the board Of Cancellation or
the umpire who must finally pass upon
the matters in dispute. The claim, it is
said. will be made that the freight charges
are considerable factor in establishing
the selling price of hard coal and that
without knowledge of the freight earn
ings the miners cannot expect to combat
the statement of the coal companies that
the limit of mining cost has been reached.
Reports from all sections of the hard
coal region are TO the effect that there is
little change in the situation. The COM
panies have made little effort to start their
collieries with the exception of the Belle
vue colliery at Scranton, which has about
100 men at work. In some instances prep
arations for resumption said to be In
progress. In other cases the mules have
been taken out OF the mines which is re-
garded as an indication that rejection of
President Mitchell's arbitration PROPOSE
ton is anticipated.
Normal Conditions at Pittsburg.
PITTSBURG, April 7.-Harmony again
prevails in the bituminous coal fields of
western Pennsylvania. The action OF the
independent coal operators in following the
lead OF the Pittsburg Coal company has
effectually blocked the suspension Of the
mines in this district and by Monday 5000
men, or more than IS per cent of the min
ers Of District No 8, will have resumed
work.
Out OF eighty mines controlled by the
Pittsburg Coal company, only one was idle
today. Following the resolution adopted
last night, dissolving the mutual compact
not to sign the 1903 scale, independent op-
orators representing a tonnage OF more
than 100000 tons and employing over 5000
men. today affixed their signatures to the
agreement. These operators will start their
plants on Monday. and before the end OF
next week It is believed every mine I'm
western Pennsylvania will be running to It's
fttI1 ~