The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-03
Hope Strong That Coal Strike
Will Be Averted.
John Mitchell Takes a Hand IN
Controversy.
ARE NEAR TO AGREEMENT
Miners May Hold Convention 10
Approve Proposal.
Want to Examine Statement OF
Mr.. Baer.

New York, May 3.-John Mltcheil'
former president of the United VIZ
Workers of America and now
president of the American Federa tIoii
of Labor, participated today III the ue
alterations of the anthracite hllile
workers representatives over the coui ee
to be pursued in dealing further win
the operators for increased pay recos
milton of the union and other chdIiett
not included IN the tentative agreement
rejected yesterday by the joint con-
ference of operators and miners;
Mr. Mitchell conferred with "IiIla -i
Green of Ohio, who represents e.
dent John p White of the miners anu
with the district presidents. None u
the conferrees would discuss the DEM
erations but each expressed the oplIIlo
that an agreement would be reac
Immediately upon ADJOURNMENT VI u
conference the executive boarus VI In0
miners organization in three ahltll a
cite districts comprising 81 members
met Mr.. Green said the object was 10
decide whether the miners Woulu hoIu
q convention to pass upon the tehId-
tive agreement or ask for another con-
ference with the operators.
The conference today was PREPARE
to consider two courses OF actlon'
First should a convention OF the
miners be called to approve or dlsap-
prove the action in rejection OIL tIle
agreement of the subcommittee, anu
second, whether the miners comnlt-
tee should ask for another conference
with the operators ---th the view ol
obtaining concessions. convention
of miners at either Scranton or
Wilkesbarre would not only pass upon
the agreement of the Subcommittee
but would consider the proposition
of President Baer of the Reading COM
I,o1a
submitted to the surviving members
of the anthracite coal strike commits
sion of 1908.
Mr.. Baer told the miners yesterday
that he considered that the full com
nittee of miners were morally bound
to stand by the action of subcom-
rnittee and that until the matter had
been submitted to referendum vote
of the miners the full committee were
in no position to ask for further con-
cession from the operators.
Meanwhile the suspension of mining
in the hard coal region is continued
The executive board took recess to
procure Stenographfc reports OF yes
terday's joint conference. Thomas
Kennedy a district president, said the
executive board were DESTROYS of re-
viewing the statement by George F.
Baer before taking decisive action.
Southwestern Miners Can't Agree.
Kansas City, May 3.-Failing to
reach an agreement on the arbitration
clause of the proposed contract for
the next. two years, the subcommittee
of the southwestern coal miners and
operators meeting here today recessed
until next Wednesday. Efforts to set
tie the points in dispute then will be
resumed.
1.-The miners insist on regaining the
right to strike to enforce their de-
mands," said Charles S. Keith, presi-
dent of the Southwestern Coal Opera
tors association. THE operators re-
fuse to concede this point"
The contract that expired April 80,
provided that all disputes must be set
tied by arbitration.