Evening star., 1909-03-14
Mine Operators in Statement
Define Their Position.
WAGES NOW HIGH ENOUGH
Declare They Will Not Even Con-
slider Advance in Scale.
WOULD ADD COST TO CONSUMER
Present Agreement With Workmen
Which They Are Willing to Con-
tinue, Not Recognition of Union.

NEW YORK. March 13.-A statement Of
the attitude of the anthracite coal oper-
ators on the question of recognition of the
United Mine Workers Of America was
given out here today by the operators
committee of seven. The statement sets
forth that the operators will treat union
and non-union men alike, and that they
Will exercise no discrimination against
or in favor of any man because of his
membership or membership in any
labor organization. The committee de-
clares also that it is absolutely impossible
to grant the demands for increased wages
and a shorter working day without in
creasing the price of coal to the con-
spmeEs. This the operators will not con-
sent TO do" says the statement, nor will
they even consider it,
The statement follows:
Since the coal consumers and the pub
lie are vitaly interested in the main
tenance of peaceful conditions in the an
thracite fields. and since the facts brought
out by former disagreements between en-
ployers and employees probably do not re-
main fresh in the memory OF the public,
the operators desire to make clear their
position as declared to the mine workers
committee of seven in Philadelphia.
From the statements Of Mr.. Lewis it
appears llldl ne puts InOSI eInpHdSlS uOW
upon the question of 'recognition'-the
question as to whether the operators shall
make a contract with the United Mine
Workers of America. He says that he
and his fellow committeeman represent
the union, and that a contract signed by
them except as officers of the union would
be binding upon nobody but themselves
as individuals.
Basis of Present Agreement.
have no safer guide than the experience
of the past. Never before in the history
Of the anthracite industry have better
labor conditions prevailed for a similar
period OF time than since the anthra-
cite coal strike commissions award went
into effect six years ago. The status OF
the gentleman who agreed, on behalf of
the employees, to accept this award was
thus defined on page 20 Of the official
representative of the strike commission:
1t was distinctly stated at the first
dent Of the United Mine Workers of
America appeared before the commission
as the representative of the mine work
ers in the anthracite region. 1t is
true that they lfave been represented. and
ably represented, before the commission
by. Mr.. Mitchell. but in so representing
them he appeared "as the representative
of the anthracite coal mine workers and
not in his official character as president
of the United Mine Workers of America
Again, in 1906, the committee which
met the operators came as representatives
Of the anthracite mine workers and in
that same capacity they signed the agree
ment for an extension of the original
award Of the commission. The exact
words used in this 1906 agreement We're:
1T is stipulated between the undersigned,
in their own behalf and SO far as they
have powers to represent any other par
ties in interest etc. There was no men,
tion of the United Mine Workers of
America.
Willing to Follow Precedent.
The operators are willing to follow ex-
actly the same procedure was fol-
lowed in 1906 to enter into agreement
with Mr.. Lewis and his committee just
they entered into agreement with the
Mitchell committee
AT various times the operators have
stated their reasons for not entering into
contract with the United Mine Work
ers of America. This question was the
subject of exhaustive study by the strike
commission. which positively declined to
grant the demand for such a contract.
Any one who reads the pages of the Off
cial report. devoted to a discussion of
the demand for recognition. will be fully
convinced that it would not be for the
best interests of the public Of the oper-
ators Or even OF the mine workers them
selves for the United Mine Workers of
America to be recognized as a party to a
contract governing the relations between
employers and employees in the anthra cite
regions
ION page 65 of it's report. for example
the strike commission, after criticISing
certain policies of the union made this
general statement: The present consti-
tuition of the United Mine Workers of
America does not present the most in
VitinS Inducements to the operators to
enter into contractual relations with it,
Declare for "Open Shop"
THE operators have stood in the past.
and they stand now. for the open shop
They will treat union and non union men
alike. They will exercise no discrimina-
tion against or in favor of any man be-
cause of his membership or non-member-
ship in any labor organization.
AS TO the demands for Increased wages
and shorter working day. it Is absolute
ly impossible TO grant them without in
creasing the price of coal to the con-
sumers. This the operators will not con-
sent to do, nor will they even consider II.
Under strict application of economic
law the present condition of business
would compel a reduction instead of an
increase In wages. the natural consequence
being fall in the price os coal. Among
the operators there was a strong feeling
that such reduction of wages should be
put into effect, but for the sake of sta
bility in the anthracite industry--from
to disturb agreement
which has brought peace-it was decided
to offer renewal of the present agree
ment.
With the industries of the country in
their present state. the anthracite mine
workers are very fortunate TO have such
an agreement under which to work If
either side should be eager to renew it,
it is not the operators. but the mine
workers. For it Is undeniably fact that
the employees of the anthracite mining
companies, compared with other wage
earners. of whom equal skill and training
are required. are highly paid.
Not only are their minimum earnings
fixed at a high level. but they are as
sured by the sliding scale agreement of
a ! per cent increase in earnings for
every increase of ) cents above $3.50 per
ton i'm the price of domestic sizes Of an
thracite at tidewater. AS the price aver
aged around S4.SJ last year. the mine
workers earnings were Z per cent above
the minimum fixed by the strike commits
Sion.''
CALL FOR CONVENTION.