The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-03-13
MINERS TO DECIDE.
STRIKE QUESTION
IN CONVENTION
EVERY DEMAND OF MINE WORK.
ERS rs FlATlY REFUSED ~
OPERATORS AT MEETING N
PHILADELPHIA.

PHILADELPHIA, March 1.-THE
committee representing the anthractts
operators and the mine workers could
not reach an agreement yesterday AZ
ternoon and the meeting was adjourn
ed. Another conference will be held
after President Lewis. OF the United
Mine Workers. and the members OF
his committee present the operators
terms to continue the present agree
ment for three more years after April
|. The operators proposition Will be
submitted at convention OF mine
/ workers To be held, IL is expected,
the latter part OF this month.
Every demand made by the miners
representatives was fatty refused by
the operators, and there was only one
course lett 10 the miners delegates
TO Issue call for convention OF the
| United Mine Workers of the three an
thracite districts of Pennsylvania
| AS To what result may be expected
to follow the convention OF the mine
workers. the district delegates offer
differing opinions. Some Of the tent
peramentally effervescent delegates
are talking Strike" Cooler heads are
are arguing for a conservative policy
and the exhaustion OF every possible
means of peace before causing sus-
pension of mining in all the collieries
OF the state.
They take the ground that II there
! is to be strike IL should not be orr
dered for the time selected by the
operators. but when the miners them
selves are ready for 1t. In other words
they believe that strike during the
h.. nj vi ~
the hands OF the operators who are
known to be heavily oyerstocked with
coal.
Upon the part of some OF the lead
crs, the policy that is favored Is To
have the convention authorize" the
district boards to hold another con-
ference with the operators and secure
the best terms obtainable, which would
resolve itself into signing another
three year agreement.
On the other hand some OF the
| friends OF President Lewis take the
position that To yield TO the operators
demands would be 10 weaken his po-
sition with the union and work injury
to the organization itself and that .
strike would be preferable.
II was distinctly evident from the
beginning that the operators were
unalterable in their decision 10 reject
every one OF the mine workers de-
mands, and at one time II looked as
though there might be an abrupt end
ing OF the conference and the sever
ance OF all negotiations.
This was when II was announced
on the part of the operators. that
some OF them insisted on making D
reduction of 10 per cent in wages.
President Lewis at once declared
! that the mine workers COMMITTEES
would not entertain such proposition
for a moment. IL was explained that
the 10 per cent reduction was not CIV
on as a proposition, but as sugges.
| ton.
| The miners leader before yester'
days conference. stated positively that
, the miners representatives would not
sign an agreement unless II explicitly
provides for recognition OF the Unit
ed Mine Workers OF America. II also.
he said. must be signed by the min
ers AS officers OF the union and not as
representatives of the anthracite mine
workers. II the miners support him
In his attitude IL looks as II there Will
be no agreement, as the operators
since 1900 have been unalterably OPP
posed to recognizing the miners or
ganization
There is possibility OF the men
continuing TO work without an agree
ment and striking at the various col
lieries as grievances come up II they
are not adjusted by the superintend-
ents Of these mines This. II is point
ed out. would be return to the chaot.
ic conditions that prevailed prior tn
the strike OF 1902 when there were
strikes every day In all sections OF the
anthracite regions. making the amount
of coal production from day TO day
uncertain.