The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-03-22
Without Hesitation They
Vote Down Their
Demands.
STILL SOME HOPE
FOR ADJUSTMENT
Directly and Indirectly Wages of
More Than 100000 Workmen
Are Concerned in Present
Dispute = Suspension IF
Business Bound to Come
on April l.

Cleveland Ohio, March 2l-Al. the
demands of the 100000 miners in the
bituminous coal aelGs Of Western,
Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois
Tor 10 per cent. Increase in pay and
shorter working hours were voted
down By the operators to-day
As final effort to prevent pro-
ionGcd shutdown OF tho mines after
April |, and possibly strike, the
whole dispute was then referred to a
subcommittee This subcomm tt,c,
composed of eight miners delegates
and eight operators. will convene at .
a. VI. to- morrow to consider the posi-.
oility OF compromise to he recon-
nended TO thu general conference .
Both operators and miners declared /,
after the union demands had been re-
fused, that tho coal situation through
out the country was grave. Intinia-
tions were made by John p White,
president Of the United Mine Workers
of America, that the negotiations here
might continue until next Monday,
when the unions policy committe. will
convene.
BESIDES the 100000 miners In the
four States directly concerned, $50, 900
bituminous coal miners in other States
arc dependent upon present dclibera-
lions for a basis OF making their wage
scale, and in addition the policy com
inittec Will consider the wage dema ads
OF about 10000 anthracite miners Ia
was pointed out by Mr.. White that the
wages OF more than 100000 union min
.rs after April l were in dispute and
that the coal output of the country
other than that mined b. non union
men, was involved.
News from New York that the an
thracite operators and miners might
reconsider their differences. howevar,
had the effect of arousing confidence
among union officials that the anthra-
cite situation might be eliminated.
Refusal 10 summary.
The voting down by tho operators
OF the bituniinous coal miners de-
nands to-day was summary. MIR
White had SAID that # the first de-
mand requ ring all the men to be paid
on flat tonnage basis without re-
auctions for slack or small 'umb WAS
refused. then the negotiations ware fu-
Tile He wanted the miners to be
| given an increase of 10 per cent The
! thirty-two operators then demanded
vote on all the thirteen deman ds
without discussing the rest of them
The result was negative. All the
miners delegate withdrew from the
| conference with the understanding
That the operators would meet alone
TO consider another plan. The refusal
| Of the scale resulted in the formation
of a subc ommittee.
The action of that subcommittee
VIII he by no means final said Mr.
White. 1T merely may recommend. 1t
may como back with recommendations
which neither side Will find aereea BILE
If we reach no agreement by April
strike will automatically follow.
Tor we can't work without an agree
ment. II We do reach an agreement
II will be a question as to just how
| long suspension of business Will last,
FOR there is bound to be a suspension"
Tho operators said they did not look
| upon the reference of the matter to
| subcommittees as holding out any
chances of settlement.
we have not much cncoura cement
when the operators are on record as
refusing the demands and the miners
arc saying they will not yield" said
Z. A Cole, OF Columbus, O., represent
ing the operators. Reports had been
| received by Mr.. Colo that the bitumi-
nous coal already mined would last a
| month after April l.
Thomas l. Lewis former president
of the union, said the present critical
situation was merely repetition OF
what took place every two years when
a wage scale was TO be drawn up. He
thought a settlement would be reached
within few days.
nal Ja