New-York tribune., 1909-03-14
STRIKE UP TO MINERS
CONVENTION IN SCRANTON
Coal Question To Be Discussed on
March 28-COLHeries Rushed.

Philadelphia March 1s.-After issuing call for
a tri-district convention at Scranton on March %
TO take UP the questions pending between the an
thractte mine workers and operators, the members
of the three executive boards Of the United Nine
Workers Of America left Philadelphia for their
homes to-day and no important developments are
looked for until the convention meets.
President Lewis left the city tonight for Indian
apolis. where he will remain until the eve OF tle
Scranton meeting Mr.. Lewis. before departing
said he was still hopeful of reaching satisfactory
agreement with the operators.
The coal presidents have left the city. The
miners representatives devoted much OF the day TO
meeting which resulted in the issuing Of the call
for the convention The subcommittee OF the
miners made its report, and there was some dis
cussion
The mine workers declare that they do not know
what action the Scranton convention will take The
delegates will be elected next week, and 1t is I'M
possible to forecast whether the radical element
in the organization will be in the majority or
whether the conservatives will dominate the con-
vention.
The call for the convention states that 1t Is
for the purpose 'of hearing the report of the con-
ference committee. also for the purpose Of taking
such action will regulate wages and conditions
Of employment after April :, 1903"
President Lewis reiterated his former statements
10 the effect that If any agreement is reached 1t
must be with the United Mine Workers of America
and with the representatives Of the anthracite
mine workers.
Several of the board members Of the union ex-
pressed the opinion to-day the coal companies
will shut down April / 1t is understood that all
collieries will work fun time during the remainder
Of this month in order to store up as much coal as
possible before the present agreement expires
PRESIDENT LEwIss VIEWS.
Before going 70 the meeting of the executive
boards Mr.. Lewis gave out the following statement:
It is be regretted that the conference Of the
OF the anthracite coal region adjourned without
reaching an understanding that could be made the
basis OF wage contract Tor tAed PERIOD 9l u Iie I
The demands OF the miners were presented IN ue-
tail and the miners are firmly OF the opinion thaI al
wages for that class or who earn but 81 80 a
miners are engaged in the most hazardous occupa-
ton Of any IN the country, and no person VIII
claim that 81 30 a day is high standard OF wages.
The miners believe that they should have an
eght-hour work DAY tor many FeasoiS u.s. anI mo Ue re
Quired 10 work average Of seven hours day.
union imposes no hardship on the operators and it
is known that the coal road presidents recognize
Why discriminate against the miners? The miners
should be signed by the miners representatives; as
the Official representatives OF the United Mine
~ dzeq ooug ssa+a OI @ ~ ,ergsni as f9Stvd3aIs their
signatures 10 a document would have no effect If
they did not represent an organized body OF men,
could represent each individual Of 10000 mine
workers.
There are many reasons that can be given in sup
port OF the miners propositions.
Up TO SCRANTON MEETING
The entire question now will go to the repre-
sentatives Of the United Mine Workers in tri-
district convention be held in the future.
That convention will decide what is take place.
and what the outcome Will he April I no one
with any certainty predict at this time. 1t
will be for the United Mine Workers in the an
thracite coal fields to decide this question. and.
juagns from the sentiment among the in the
Scranton convention last October, any arrangement
agreed upon will be between the operators repre-
sentatives and the representatives of the United
Mine Workers Of America, governing the anthracite
coal region.
Reading Penn, March 13-The coal traffic on the
Reading Railway exceedingly heavy to-day,
all Of the mines OF the company worked full time
II took until late tonight to clear up the region.
It is believed that all OF the mines will be kept
on full time during the remainder OF the month.
Coal dealers all the country who fear strike
sending In orders for fuel, and the cars are be
ing unloaded rapidly as possible at all of the
terminal points.
Mahanoy City. Penn, March 13.-Regardless Of
what action VIII be taken az the forthcoming trt-
district miners convention at Scranton, the opera
tors. il is said will post notices at the various
collieries sgnifying their intention 10 renew the
present agreement. The employees, it is said. VIII
be asked to sign the agreement before its expira-