Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1906-03-14
LETS COAL MEN AL ONE.
PRECEDENT TAKING NO PART IN
NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE
MINERS AND OPERATORS.
HARD COAL MEN REFUSE
Declare That They Cannot Accept Union
Demands-There Will Be No
Famine, They Add

PITTSBURG, Pa, March 12.-Coal
miners of the Irwin district have pre-
pared for mass meeting tonight to act
on the recent discharge of eight union
men by the Pennsylvania Gas company.
1t is expected that district strike will
be advised and that support from the
United workers is certain. There are
5000 and 10000 miners in this field, a
majority of them unorganized.
President Taking No Part.
WASHINGTON, D. c., March 12-
President Roosevelt is taking no part in
the pending negotiations between the
miners and operators to prevent coal
strike. The statement was made at the
white house today that Prof. Charles h.
Neil, commissioner of labor, did not con-
fer with John Mitchell, president Of the
mine workers, by authority of the Pres
ident.
Will Do Nothing Further.
Recently the President wrote an iden-
tical letter to President Mitchell and
Mr.. Robbins Of the operators urging
a further conference with a view to
averting a coal strike. The negotiations
which followed We're the result of that
letter. Since writing the letter, how
ever, the President has taken no step,
and he at present has no action in CON
temptation.
In this connection it was said also
that the President would deplore great
ly another strike of the coal miners and
would do all in his power which he
properly might do to avert strike, but
that he was doing nothing at this time
Hard Coal Men Reject Demands.
NEW YORK, March 12.-The anthra-
cite operators finally refused the de-
mands of the United Mineworkers, Sun
day. These demands included recogni-
ton of the union, the closed shop, an
eight-hour day, higher wages and new
sliding scale The operators offered 70
renew for three years the awards made
by the anthracite coal strike commission
three years ago. The mineWOrkers face
the alternative of surrender or strike.
No Coal Famine in Sight.
The new press bureau of the anthracite
miners issues a statement declaring that
there are great stores of coal on hand,
and there will be neither a coal famine,
nor high prices-at least not IN New
York
President John Mitchell and leaders
left for home Immediately after receiving
the reply from the operators. He re-
fused absolutely to discuss the situation.
Reasons for Refusing.
The demand Of the miners that the
operators enter into an agreement with
the union is declined on the ground that
the anthracite operators stand unalter-
ably for the open shop and again decline
to make an agreement with the United
Mineworkers of America. an organiZa-
ton controlled by rival industry
OF the demand for an eight-hour day.
the statement says the operators know of
no change in conditions that can be used
to sustain the renewed demand for a re-
duction in hours and declares that the
expectation of the strike committee that
the reduction from ten to nine hours
should not result in any decrease in the
output of the Mines" has not been real
lied and adds:
I'VE might justly say that with the eX-
perience of the last three years the ten
hour day should be restored; but we are
willing to abide by the decision of the
commission
The proposition that a uniform scale of
wages be established is met by the oper-
ators with the reply that this would be
impracticable by reason of the varying
capacities of the wOrkmen and the vary
ing conditions.
I'VE cannot increase wages without
advancing the price of coal; and we are
not willing to advance the price of coal
Other Demands Refused.
collect from each employe certain stated
sums for the support of the mineworkers
union is denied on the ground that ''as
a matter OF policy we would not make
such an agreement as you request, and,
as matter of law, we are not permitted
to make it,
The operators decline to agree to any
change in the board of Cancellation, as
established by the anthracite coal strike
commission, taking the ground that the
system proposed by the miners would
simply involve more delay than now
exists.
The complaint of the miners that the
board of Cancellation does not act prompt
ly the operators declare to be not war
ranted by the facts. The demand for a
new sliding wage scale is denied on the
ground that the sliding scale fixed by the
anthracite coal strike commission covers
practically all the propositions in the pro-
posed new scale.
HoDed for A di11cty,,np+