The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1912-04-03
SOFT COAL MEN
ALMOST AGREE
Peace Seems Now PraCti-
cally Assured.
WORK PENDING MINERS VOTE
Probable in Some States
Movement to Amend
Sherman Law.
NO SUSPENSION IN THE STATE

Cleveland, o., March 3O.-The
peace terms with one exception rec
commended by the sub-scale COM
mittee of the bituminous operators
and miners of the four central COM
petitive States was unanimously en-
dorsed to-day by the joint confer
ence One class was dropped. owing
to the bitter opposition of Western
Pennsylvania operators. They re-
fused to grant the five-hour-day for
Saturdays. So serious did the sit
uation become at one time that
there was a fear the whole agree
ment would be disrupted. But in
the interest of peace the miners
withdrew that demand.
Within a few days the proposed
contract will be submitted to the
miners for ratification. The policy
committee voted to recommend it
and the submission will be matter
of form. The State president and
International President White all
say it will be endorsed by an over
whelming vote.
The contract is for two years. 1t
Is likely the Pennsylvania and Ohio
operators will be permitted to work
pending the vote. Illinois and In
diana operators desire p suspen-
sion. The Kentucky operators have
notified the miners they will not
operate their mines until joint
convention of that district has been
held and satisfactory agreement
made. This may take thirty days.
The miners of the southwest and
possibly those of Iowa, will work.
An important move for rehabil-
itation OF the mining industry was
taken. A commission was arrang-
ed for that will use every effort to
have the Sherman antitrust law
amended so that it does not include
the mining industry and also to
have the antitrust laws of the
States changed to eliminate the
industry from their provisions. 1t
is claimed that the reckless waste
try are due to the present destruc-
tive competition. 1t was also
charged that the same forces pre-
vented the miners obtaining 2 fair
wage scale.
This Commission will consist of
two members of the miners and OPP
orators organizations in each of
the coal States. The anthracite
mine owners will aid the move
ment, President Baer having, it was
said, pledgeg his assistance.
Another duty of the proposed
commission or board will be to de-
termine whether after this agree
ment expires there shall be a sus-
pension pending negotiations. The
members will meet two weeks be-
fore the Miners International Con-
vention in 1914 and prepare ? rec
ommendation for operators and
miners.
No Suspension i'm State.
Members of the Western Ken
lucky Mine Operators Association
who were in Louisville to confer
with a committee of Western Ken
lucky miners in regard to reaching
an agreement on a wage scale and
working conditions, returned to
their homes Saturday. 1t is expect
ed that the miners will return to
Louisville Tuesday and an immedi-
ate conference will be held.
1--WE do not expect to close the
mines while negotiations are on for
a wage scale and working condi-
TONS" declared an official Of the
association. THE operators believe
the mine workers will agree to re-
turn to work until all matters are
adjusted. The committee of soft
coal miners and operators have
reached p tentative agreement at
Cleveland. and We expect to hear
from the representatives OF District
Twenty-three, which is in Western
Kentucky. on Tuesday. We do not
anticipate much trouble"
There are 4,50O miners employ
ed In Western Kentucky.