Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1912-03-02
MINERS'OEMANDS
UP TO OPERATORS
Joint Conference ktjauTns Until
March II or Is.
OWNERS MEET NEXT WEEK
Operator Declares 20 Per Cent Ad.
vance In Wages viii Not BE Granted
or Union Reeohnized.

No action was taken In New York
the demands of the United Mine Work
ers of America Tor higher wages AMI
other demands.
Tho ope ators and miners. about
thirty.hse ol the latter. healed by
John T. White. president OF The union,
were In conference There was no dis.
cmssion OF the demands. Wien the
session adjourned II was stated OH
ciaily the operators will consider the
demands AT a meeting In New York
agreed to hold another joint session
with the operators OH March IL or IL.
when the operators will make known
their attitude.
At Tuesdays meeting OF the opera
tors a committee will he appointed 10
consider the demands and through this
committee a reply will be made at the
joint conference.
The miners representatives were
keenly disappointed over the delay In
the negotiations at the suggestion OF
the operators We were ready To dis
cuss our proposition" declared one OF
the leading officials of the union. but
tile operators were not. They have put
us TO the expense OF returning home
and coming back 10 New York again.
OF course. we agreed TO the PROPOSE
ton. They could have reserved de-
cision."
After the operators and the repre-.
sentatiyes of the miners went into con.
ference II was stated unofiicially. but
from wha, is regarded as a reliable
source, that the demand for 20
per cent increase would he refused.
II was also said the operators will no;
agree to recognize the union. and will
refuse 10 concede the check OF sys-
tenn II was said the question OF an
eight hour day is open for consider
alton.
Discussing the demands one Of the
operators said that twenty per cent.
increase in wages will not be granted.
He explained that the operators can
not advance the wages OF the me,.
without increasing the cost Of coal tu
the consumer. course they are disn.
clned 10 take now.
The session was presided over by
James l.. Cake. of West Pi,tS;on. Lu.
zerne county. Pa. an independent OPP
orator
Previous to the conference the thir-
tv.five representatives Of the miners,
headed by John p. White. president
ol the union. met at the Hotel Vic
toria Mr. White and the three an
thraciIe district presidents. john 7.
Dempsey. Thomas Kennedy and John
Fahev, were delegated 10 present the
demands 10 the operators and TO be
spokesman for the union at the confer.
ence. The demands are:
a working contract for one year. In
stead of fnr three years
An oighi hnnr workday. instead ri
nine. without any reduction in wages.
Recognition 81 the union as a parry
TO negotiate wage contract. with
the operators collecting the union dues
by the check.off system
Abolition OF the Cancellation board
and more convenient and Uniform
system OF adjusting local grievances.
An advance OF 90 per cent In wages.
A minimum rate of $3.50 day TO-
miners and s2.75 for laborcrs for con
tract work
That no contract miner he allowed
more than one working place or 10
employ more than two laborers.
That the rights of the check weigh.
man and tire check decking toss be
recognized and that there shall be m
Interference with them
That coal shall he paid for by the
ton. instead OF by the carload. as at
present.