Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-03-21
MINERS DEMANDS
Are Referred to The Joint
Scale Committee
Which Will Begin Work Today
at indianapolis.
Pres. ,Baer Notifies Pres. Mitchell Ready
for Another Conference.

Indianapolis, Ind. March 20.-The
second joint conference of the coal OPP
orators and miners of the Central Com
petative District, comprising the states
of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and western
Pennsylvania which is the result of
the efforts Of President Roosevelt to
effect permanent peace in the coal
industry throughout the United States.
adjourned this afternoon after refer
ring the demands OF the miners to the
joint scale committee which will begin
its deliberations tomorrow The con-
ference was called to order by Presi-
dent John Mitchell, and organized at
once by the election of the following
officers:
George Traer. an operator of Chica-
go, permanent chairman; secretary and
treasurer. w. 8. Wilson of the United
Mine Workers: assistant secretaries.
Frank S. Brooks Columbus, Ohio, and
&. l. Scroggs, Chicago.
On motion Of President Mitchell, the
rules of the previous Joint conference.
requiring that the vote of the operators
on ''all main and principal questions
be cast as unit, were adopted.
The operators named joint scale
committee representing the various
states interested and then President
Mitchell delivered a brief address in
which he outlined his views as TO the
purposes Of the extraordinary confer
ence at the close of which he moved
the adoption of the scale of wages de-
manded by the miners in the point con-
fprnnro which inrrJn1 E'ah Trhp
motion WAS lost on a strictly partisan
vote, the operators voting unanimous
ly in the negative, while the miners
voted as a unit in favor of it's adop-
ton.
In calling the joint conference to Or
der President Mitchell of the mine
workers said:
This convention has re-convened
under what are possibly the most eX-
traOrdinary circumstances that have
prevailed in the industrial history of
our country. When we adjourned. more
than six weeks ago, it seems to US, as
it did to the entire people of our coun-
try, that q great industrial conflict was
imminent. So far as | know each of
these forces made preparations for Il
great industrial strife. Fortunately. or
unfortunately. as circumstances may
develop. the President of our country
interviewed and advised that we make
further effort to reconcile our differ
ences. As consequence of his inter-
vention--fcr which | believe the entire
country fees gratcful-we have mo-
here today again to consider. not only
our own personal and collective inter
estg, but also the interests and welfare
of our common country.
Il have given 10 Thu; situation as
mach consideration, | presume. as
anyone here. / nave reviewed in my
own mind the causes which led to II
separation ST; weeks ago. and I have
tried as Lost | could to review this
situation not so much as Il miner. but
rather us an official ana a man charged
with certain public csponsbilities.
And. gentlemen. after six weeks Of
thought and consideration ] am con-
WINGED beyond doubt that the claims
We made in this hail six weeks ago
were founded upon facts and justice,
and that the Industrial prosperity of
our country iustifics the coal miners in
asking that they shall receive at least
fair share Of the profits that result
from great industrial activity. I be-
liCve that the claims VIC made then
have been confirmed by conditions
since our adjournment.
1T may he that because of our en-
vironmnnt. because of our training and
our special interests, we are unable to
view this situation impartially; but as
stated in our resolution adopted some
DAYS ago, we are willing to meet with
You who represent the ownership, or
WHO arc the owners Of these mines, for
the purpose of trying earnestly and
conscientiously to adjust our differ
enCeS.
Il take it for granted that the eX-
cricnce of the past eight years has sat
i5fed even the most skeptical among
you that annual or biennial agreements
between you and us are much better
for our mutual interests than the old
methods that prevailed some years
ago, when every year saw strike or
a lockout. a serious conflict as to our
different rights.
II believe. gentlemen, that first we
owe ii to ourselves, that next we owe
it to the country, to make the best eff
fort that is within us to reach an agree
meut that will preserve and maintain
industrial peace in the coal fields of
this country. In order that there NAV
be sorle concrete proposition before the
convention for discussion, 1 desire to
offer on behalf of the miners, the scale
of wages and conditions of employ
ment proposed by us at our recent joint
conference"
On request of the operators the scale
was read. 1t embodied demand for a
general advance of 12R per cent. in
wages: for a run-of-mine basis; for a
fiat differential of seven cents a ton
between pick and machine mining. the