Norwich bulletin., 1912-03-16

New York. March 15.-The United
Mine Workers of America and the
committee Of ten of the anthracite
coal operators ended negotiations here
TODAY in a deadlock. Tonight both
sides declare they are standing firm
the miners for their demands of 20
per cent increase in wages, recogni-
tion of the union. a shorter workday,
and other concessions, the operators
for a three year renewal of the pres
ent agreement, which will terminate
at midnight, March 81. Unless an
agreement is reached by that date,
each side admits 10000 hardcoal mi
ners in Pennsylvania will then cease
work,
White Considers Case Hopeless.
If there is the slightest chance of
compromise before the automatic sus-
pension Of work on that date, it failed
Of expression today by either miners
CT operators. President John P. White
of the miners organization and his
colleagues said they considered the
case hopeless, so far as the avoidance
of suspension is concerned, and pre-
pared to return to their homes to-
morrow. They will spend the twenty
four hours before their departure in
an opportunity TO reconsider their de-
CisiOu.
Both Sides obdurate.
The operators committee of ten, to
whom the miners address today a re-
spouse to the operators reply. received
the reiterated demands by the miners
without comment, further than they
regretted the colliertes' stand After
the sine die adjournment of the con-
ference. George j. Baer. for the Oper-
ators, notified President White that
the operators committee would meet
the miners at any time; but that the
operators regarded the miners pres
ent demands as quite impossible of
concession. Mr.. White replied that
they were equally impossible of modi-
fcation. After the joint conference
the executive committee and national
officers Of the miners organization
held a brief meeting.
Strike to Be Decided After March Is.
They decided to abide by their de-
mands and to hold another meeting
tomorrow morning to deal with any
phase of the situation which may come
up in the interval. At tomorrow S
meeting, it is expected a statement in
reply to the operators statement to-
night viii be issued. No formal strike
will be declared, President White said
tonight, until after the meeting Of the
policy committee in Cleveland March
25. At that time the result of the
conference among the miners and op-
orators in the bituminous fields, sched-
uied for Cleveland, March 20, will come
before the committee. The bituminous
miners have asked for ten per cent
increase ip wages and the operators
have offered in reply, to make a new
agreement reducing ten per cent
Bitumncus Miners May Also Strike
we expect to get the increase il
4he bituminous section" Mr. White
aaid tonight. Should the unexpected
happen, however, there is little doubt
that the bituminous men will also ia
vor a strike, or that the policy com
mittee would recommend such action
or course, 1 cannot forecast that, al
the policy committee is composed o.
delegates from each Of the twenty
five districts in the United States anC
Canada. In any event, the policy
committee will probably deal with
the anthracite situation for the bes
interest Of the whole organization
Likewise, a general suspension Of worl
in the anthracite 1eldS Will automat
icallv go into effect April 1 unless
new agreement is reached"
Would Have to Advance Coal Prices
In a statement to the public issuet
tonight, the anthracite operators
through their committee, reiterate IN
declaration that they cannot adYanc
wages unless recouped by means o
an advance in prices Of coal to tn
public, which they do not copside
warranted by anything IN tine condi
tion Of the mine workers, under tn