New-York tribune., 1909-04-10
UP TO COAL MINERS
OPERATORS STAND FIRM.
Mem Responsible for Lockout IT
Agreement Is UNSIGNED.

PHILADELPHIA April q-After conferences extending
since Wednesday between the anthracite coal op-
orators and the officials of the United Mine Work
ers the operators rejected to-day the modihed de-
mands Of the miners presented yesterday. and the
conference adjourned deadocked
There will be strike by the mine workers now
ever and the only danger of a suspension OF mining
in the near future arises from. the possibility Of
the refusal of the operators TO permit the miners
TO work without agreement.
The operators gave a statement this afternoon
in New York where they went Immediately fol-
lowing the conference. in which they claim that
they offered to submit the new work complaint
to the roncfiation board created by the anthracite
strike commission. President Lewis of the Mine
Workers discussing this statement tonight, said:
II have no comment to make" When pressed as
to his views concerning the operators concessions
regarding ew work he said: Bugs. lie Woul1
not discuss the matter further
Following the conference the district boards OF
the United Mine Workers organization from the
three anthracite districts went into conference and
after session lasting nearly all the afternoon ad
iourned to meet again tomorrow. At the conclu-
sion Of the meeting, it is said, statement Will be
given out ering the miners side Of the contro-
versy.
The bone of contention is the refusal OF the
operators recognize the mine workers union IN
any way.
The following official statements was given out
here yesterday by the anthracite coal operators
committee OF seven:
The representatives OF the Anthracite Mine Work,
ers have declined to accept the proposition signed
by the representatyes Of the operators to eX;eh9 mo
Anthracite Coal Strike Commission, appointed by
the President Of the United States ,oo. 49,
Except for a few weeks interruption in 1905, the
agreement based on this award has been IN exist
cite regions during this time better for
stead mBIonent o have prevailed and still prevail
in spite of the panic and the resulting depreSsionS
which have worked serious injury TO nearly all
other industries IN the country.
The present basis Of wages was established in
time OF the greatest prosperity the country has
ever known. In Offering continuance Of the same
are assuming responsibility beyond which they
After sIbmitting their proposition for a renewal
Of the agreement the operators made concession
to be a source Of trouble At yesterdays confer
the operators aCCeded to the request that
should be placed under The jurisdicton of the con-
cli&tion board making The following declaration;
versies relating work may be submitted To
conditions OF the veins and Of the work SINH
lar, and If they are similar then the rates existing
This was the one matter in. which. according to
the men had been able obtain satisfaction
from the board OF conciIiatio With this included.
al possible questions under dispute between en-
Ployes and employers can now be settled by the
board.
The operators committee. Il was learned last
evening signed agreement in Philadelphia yes
terday continue for three At ths close Of
the conference the committee Of the mine workers
took IT with them If they reject it. action Will be
taken by the opera for which the representa-
tlves OF the mine workers will be looked
responsible.
"As far the operators are concerned" sad
Vice President Go,nsis Of the Lackawanna Railroad
YESTERDAY the negotiations with the mine workers
are apparently off. That is all I have TO say"
Another official asked how long the operators
would wait on the committee of the miners 10 come
10 a decision.
The mine workers committee will be given a rea-
sonable time" he said. but the operators will not
allow any unnecessary delay. A good deal OF time
has been wasted already The time at the con
fcrences was wasted small matters which should
have been brought before the mine superintendents
The whole delay is attempt 10 get union recog-
milton in some way. and that time is wasted II
the agreement under the award OF the anthracite
strike commission good enough for Mitchell
when trade was booming every where, II ought TO
be welcomed by Lewis now. II ii Is rejected, then
v hat happens. whether lockout. reduction OF
wa ges or a shutdown, the leaders OK the mime
or,sfff fn-