Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1906-03-15

Mine Workers. Proposition Denied
Counter Proposal offered.
TO EVERY DEMAND MADE.
They Wish Agreement EStabliShed
by Anthracite Coal Strike Com
mission Continued Three Years
--Miners' Committee Met.

New York, March 12.+The PROPOSE
tons Of the United Mine Workers Of
America for a readjustment Of wages
and conditions In the anthracite coal
fields, as whole, having been denied
by the committee representing the an
thracite operators. AS counter pro-
position, the operators suggest that
the awards made by the anthracite
coal strike commission the principles
upon which they are established by
the commission and the methods es-
tablished for carrying out their find
ings and awards, shall be continued for
further term Of three years from the
first day of April 1906. The present
agreement terminates March 81 of
this year. s,a.
Announcement of thee anthracite
operators decision and their counter
proposition was made Sunday night in
a long formal statement which was
given out for publication. This state
ment which includes the correspond
ence on the subjects at issue between
President John Mitchell of the United
Mine Workers acting for the miners,
and George F. Baer, president of the
Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron
for the operators, discusses
the miners propositions in detail. In
every instance the contention is made
by the operators either that conditions
In the coal fields do not warrant the
change proposed by the miners or
that the questions at issue already
have been passed upon by the strike
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 unalterably for the open shop,
and again decline to make an agree
ment with the United Mine Workers
Of America, an organization con-
trolled 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 de-
mand for a reduction in hours. De-
clares 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 realized,
and adds:
I'VE might Justly say that with the
experience of the past three years,
he ten hour day should be restored;
1ut we are willing to abide by the
decision of the commission" The
that a uniform scale Of
wages be established IN the anthra-
lite fields is met by the operators
With the reply that this would be
mpracticable by reason Of the vary-
ng capacities Of the workmen and
he varying conditions existing in the
egion and at the collieries.
I'VE cannot increase wages with
nut advancing the price Of coal; and
Ve are not willing to advance the
rice Of coal" is the reply to the de-
nand for a general increase in wages
1T had been our hope and, we
rusted, the public expectation as
Fell, that the effect Of the exhaust
We Investigation findings of the dis
lnguished citizens who constituted
be anthracite strike commission
Fould be to establish q Just and per- I
nanent adjustment Of the relations
etveen the operators and their ems
loyeA We, therefore, regret your
sggestions that an entirely new and
ntried arrangement should be made /
Ihich e only to last for one year 4
1T Il not 10 the interest Of en-, ]
loyors and employees nor Of the pub
c 70 have the mining business a.
ell e. the general business and !
'mfort Of he people serioualy ais
lrhad hrsthhss. TaarlY conteutiouA I