New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-19
ANTHRACITE MINERS
VOTE TO END STRIKE
Ratify Agreement Of Sub-Com-
mittee with Operators by
Overwhelming Majority.
RESUME WORK WEDNESDAY
White Says New Wage Arrange
ment Is Best Miners Have
Ever Had -170,000
Workers Affected.

Wilkes Barre, Penn. May lS-By a vote
OF 323 TO "a, the anthracite mine workers in
convention to-day ratified the agreement
entered into by their subcommittee with
the coal operatives and ordered the 10000
men and boys employed in and about the
mines TO return to work next Wednesday.
Repair men have sanction to return to the
colleries on Monday so as to assist in
preparing the mines for the resumption OF
work. The suspension, which is thus end
ed. began on March 81, or seven weeks ago,
when the agreement entered into in 1903
expired.
The result OF the vote was announced
amid cheering. though it was manifest
when the delegates rose to their feet TO
vote that the agreement had been carried
by large majority The debate lasted five
days
John Z. White. international president OF
the United Mine Workers OF America, who
led the fight for the adoption of tire agree
ment, told the men that the new wage ar
rangement was the best they had ever had
1t is the first time in the history of anthra-
cite mining. he said, that the hard coal
workers had ever gained an increase in
wages without striking.
The advance granted is 10 per cent, with
the old sliding scale abolished; the Increase
will net them about SO per cent. Other
concessions are contained in the agreement,
one of the most important Of which is that
providing for grievance committees at all
times which shall have the power 10 meet
officials Of coal compf MES and adjust COM
plants Representatives Of the miners or
ganization are to have the privilege or
meeting with the committees when they
take up the grievances with the company
officials. This. the mine workers leaders
declare, gives them recognition to certain
degree. and they believe it IS also long
step In the direction of the CLOSED shop
for which the miners have been contending.
The agreement adopted to-day will be
signed by the officers Of the union and the
committee of coal operators in Philadel-
phia on Monday at o'clock. This Will be
a mere formality, az the operators have
already approved the proposition.
Among those who spoke in favor of the
agreement were State Senator William
Green, Of Ohio. statlstcan OF the miners
international organization. and Frank
harrington. international board meInbef
from Illinois. The agreement had been I'M
der consideration since last Tuesday
President White tonight gave out a
statement. in which he said:
This agreement insures the anthracite
mine workers the highest rate or wages
ever paid in the anthracite coal INDUSTRY
the most improved conditions OF employ
ment. and was secured under the most
unfavorable circumstances OF any CONTRACT
/ heretofore Negotiated for the anthracit,
men. :. ..,,
I am sure that now. after il is properly
understood. the anthracite mine workers
as a body will appreciate the work done oy
! their representatives and viii strengthen
and prepare their organization Tor future
usefulness
Scranton, Penn. May ls.-The ratihcatloi
| Of the miners agreement by the district
convention at wilkes Barre this Afternoon
was received with JOY all through th'
Laclkawanna Valley. All the coal conpah
les are ready to resume operations, an'
tho L,ackawanna company announced At