The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1909-03-17
WAGE BATTLE IS ON
Operators Resist Demands
OF the Miners.
SUBCOMMlTTEES IN C0NFAB
Representatives Of Owners and Labor
Body Discuss UItimatunn Laid
Down by President Lewis-CapitaI-
lists Balk at Scale.

Philadelphia, Mar. 12.-Nothing &C.
Cured at the opening session of the
conference here yesterday between the
anthracite mine workers and operators
to arrange a new working agreement
to change the prevailing opinion that
the employers will refuse to grant the
demands of the men as formulated by
their convention. The representatives
of the men, who are all officers OF the
United Mine Workers of America, met
the operators in the offices of the Read
ing company and after formally pre-
senting their demands each side ap-
pointed a subcommittee to carry on
the negotiations. The whole proceed
ing was formal and harmonious.
President Baer of the Reading COM
pany acted as president of the confer
ence and presented President Lewis
of the mine workers union to the other
operators. All the big anthracite coal
the independent operators were repre-
sented.
Lewis Hopes for Agreement.
Mr.. Lewis in laying the demands be-
fore the employers made brief speech
explaining his position. He said he
hoped that both sides would get to-
gether and come to an agreement am
icably He had only the best of feel
ing toward the operators, he said, and
wanted them to know that the bitumin-
Gus interests of the country are not
back of the anthracite miners, but that
he was acting solely in the interest of
the anthracite men of Pennsylvania.
The operators made no reply, but
at once suggested that the business in
hand be proceeded with in an orderly
manner. Therefore, it was suggested
by the operators that each side appoint
a subcommittee of seven to take up
the work. This was agreed to, and
after a few other formalities had been
gone through with the general meet
ing was adjourned to await the action
of the subcommittee.
subcommittee Appointed.
The two subcommittee are as fol-
lows:
Operators-George F. Baer, presi-
dent of the Reading company; Nor
ris Williams, president of the Susque-
hanna Coal Company, controlled by
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company;
G. s. Sims, vice-president and general
manager Of the Delaware &, Hudson
company; E: B. Thomas, president of
the Lehigh Valley railroad; w. H.
Truesdale, president of the Delaware,
Lackawanna & Western railroad; T. P.
Fowler, president of the New York,
Ontario & Western railroad; J. L.
Coal Operators association; George
F. Parker, secretary.
Miners-Thomas L. Lewis, national
president of the miners union; Adam
Ryscavage, acting president, and John
T. Dempsey, secretary of district No. 1
of the union; John McElhenny, presi-
dent, and Andrew Matti, vice-president,
district No. Z; John Fahy, president
; and George w. Hartlein, secretary, dis.
trict No. 8. Mr.. Hartlein will act as
secretary for the miners.
subcommittee Meet.
The subcommittee held their first
joint session yesterday afternoon. The
miners have fortified themselves with
statistics and other information to sup
port their claims. 1t is the general be
lief that the operators will refuse the
demands. In fact, some of the mine
workers said yesterday that they ex
pected to be refused. In the event
that the operators decline to make any
concession and make counter pro
posal that the present agreement be
continued it is probable that a con
vention of miners will be called.
The Reading company had arranged
luncheon for the mine workers, wht
numbered about IS, but most of then
refused to accept the hospitality. On,
of them said: II don't want their grub
l can buy my own"