The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-11
Both Men and Operators Manifest Best of Spirit
 at Meeting
SUBCOMMITTEE TO
 HOLD MEETING TODAY
Proposal to Call in Anthracite Coal Strike Commission to Settle Diff fererces Laid Aside Except
 as the Last Resort

Philadelphia, April 10-Prospects of peace with an early resumption of anthra- cite mining grew much brighter today after the miners and operators decided to confer When negotiations were resumed here this afternoon, George F. Baer, pres- ieent of the Reading company, proposed on behalf of the operators to let the an- thracite coal strike commission, which settled the strike of 1902. to investigate present conditions and decide whether any modification of the commissions award Is necessary.
 l In the discussion that followed the miners practically threw this offer aside and the conference agreed finally to ap- point sub-committees to take up the de- mands of the miners with power to make recommendations for adjustments. The subcommittee immediately were ap- pointed and after a brief joint session they adjourned until tomorrow afternoon. I No General Conference
 While the subcommittee are trying to reach an agreement there will be no con- ferenees between the two general commit- tees of the operators and miners. Aside from the offer to put the settle- ment of the differences up to the strike commission neither side made a proposi- tion, but the willingness with which they agreed to further discuss the demands is 6 looked upon as a good sign II is expect- ed concessions will be offered in the sub- committee sessions What these will be is mere conjecture. Miners representa- lives said today they fully expect a 10 per cent increase in wages. Aside from the wage demand. that for the reeogni- ton of the union appears to be the stlrn- bling block
 l The offer to send the matter to the strike commission is held in abeyance. and if the subcommittee cannot agree the proposition to call in the commission will be renewed. Today's conference broke up with all concerned in a hopeful mood. The best of feeling prevailed . while the opposing sides were together.
 White Presents Demands
 President White of the miners today laid the miners demands before the oper- ators. He took up four propositions. the award of the anthracite strike commis- sion, treating with the miners organiza- tion, the conclation board and the wage question. In statement he read to the operators he said the award of the strike commission was never considered just and fair by the mine workers
 "The anthracite mine worker" he said. continually ehafing under the objectional provisions of the awaDd, does his work in state ofs subdued rebellion. There can be no genuine. permanent. abiding 1 peace until the award is supplanted by direct joint agreement"
 Taking up the question of treating with the organization, Mir. White said tine ob- jectons offered by the operators are not well founded
 "The sole question involved ls," MT. White said, Twill you treat with your own employees through their organza- tion?'
 Condemns Consolidation Board
 The miners president condemned the lconeiliation board, which was created by the strike commission, declaring that lthe red tape and technicalities inciden. to the handling and consideration of disputes make 1t impractical.
 On the wage question: President White said:
 You lay stress upon the fact that since 1902 the anthracite mine workers received an increase aggregating s3o.- 900 GOO. The size of this amount while we believe not intended. might create a false impression. There are employed Tn the anthracite mining industry approXi- mately 170.000 men. Thirty million doi- lars distributed among them gives to each about S17G. Inasmuch as this 10 the total amount for | period of 10 ears the anthracite miner received the lmunificent sum of S17 so each per year. scarcely enough to pay the increased leost of one article among those which comprise the neeessarjes of life
 Baer Answers White NIr. Baer replying to MT. White. said that TO one desired peace more than the anthracite operators All of us. I think" he said, are big hearted enough to desire to give to our working people the highest | wages that 1t is possible 10 give under sound economic laws, but the fact must be kept in mind that mining coal cannot fbe carried on at a loss. We are prepared to demonstrate to you that the Reading Coal and Iron company is losing money in operating colleries.
 We beg you to consider the serious problem that is involved by increasing the cost of producing anthracite coal beyond a possible return for the capital invested We cannot arbitrarily advance the price Of coal. The public will not permit us to do that IL might involve possible legislation which would be dr3s- tic if we attempted it, and in addition to that we are met by competitive condi- l tions all around us. You know that in , the strike of lg09, it is currently reported i that the bituminous coal opera tors-one of them admitted to me that he did-con- , tributed freely to your organization to keep up the strike in the anthracite field in order that they might profit by it."
 After the discussion the sub-committees were appointed. All members of the sub- [ committees are practical mining men. , MinarS Ara Not;pU Indianapolis, April 1o-Soft coal miners today at the meeting places of