United labor bulletin., 1912-04-11
The anthracite coal miners, with Pres


The anthracite coal miners, with Pres
ident White of the U. NJ. w. of A. at
their head, are in conference at Philadel
phia today endeavoring to reach an
agreement whereby the miners will re-
turn to work. The greatest contention is
the mooted question of recognition of
the union by the operators, with Presi-
dent 5aer as spokesman for the operat-
ors. The operators say they will not rec
ognize the union. They sit with the rep
resentatves of the union but deny for
NAL recognition in writing, which the
union demands.
This position on the part of the oper-
ators could best be illustrated by citi-
zens of the Mississippi valley refusing to
recognize the existence of the flood. How
foolish it would be for the citizens OF
that valley to say that they refuse to
recognize the flood. Many are made
homeless; millions of dollars of property
has been destroyed: thousands are at
/ work trying to save what they can from
the threatened destruction of the entire
levee system, and millions of bags of
sand are piled along the levees to save
the entire valley from being flooded yet
after all this has been done if the citi-
zens were to say that they refuse to rec
ognize the existence of the flood, the peo
pie of the United States would say they
must be crazy.
1t is the same with the anthracite coal
mine operators. In 1902 the miners
struck and completely tied up the mines
of every operator in the anthracite dis
trict. President Roosevelt appointed
federal commission to investigate the
conditions and hand down an award
That award has kept peace in the an
thracite coal fields until the present day.
And now the men again seek raise in
wages to maintain their existence
against the high cost of living The op-
orators recognize the strength of the
union and the power of the men in com
pletely tieing up the properties OF the
operators; they meet with the represent
atives of the United Mine Workers OF
/ America but say they refuse TO recog-
nize the union. The very meeting with
the miners is recognition. They know
that the miners union exists tand so
does every civilized person.; they state
that they recognize the power OF the or
] ganization. they endeavor to adjust the
] differences with the men; they discuss
| the proposed wage agreement and the
I hours OF labor-but refuse TO RECOG-
l NIZE the union. Can anything be so
foreign to intelligent men? II these op-
| orators were financially interested in the
/ Mississippi valley food they would re-
fuse to recognize that it exists.
Yesterdays conference between the
| operators committee of ten and the ten
representatives of the union anthracite
miners failed TO reach settlement. A
subcommittee of eight of the conferees,
/ four from each side, were appointed to
argue a settlement further. The com
mittee Immediately organized by elect
/ ing Alva Markle chairman and James
German secretary. German was secre-
tary of the strike commission in 1902.
| A proposition by the operators for
strike commission. similar to that OF
/ 1902, was submitted and held in abey-
ance The evident intention of the oper-
ators TO arbitrate the miners demands
for higher wages and recognition OF the
union is believed TO mean no strike.
An early resumption of work in the
anthracite fields. suspension in which
since April has already resulted in a
heavy financial loss. depended. it was
said. on the recognition of the union
issue President White of the miners
stated that without recognition of the
union the ten per cent wage increase
would not result in settlement He de-
clared that unless all of the original de-
mands OF the men were granted, there
was likely to be real strike.
The operators came to the conference
direct from a meeting in New York.
which is said to have decided against
recognition.
John Mitchell. who conducted the last
strike. is expected to arrive today for a
conference with White. The miners say
there is no significance in his visit. aside
from his advisory capacity. He is known
to have the respect of the operators, and