The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1912-03-06

continued from FHW Fd0s.
give the operators reasons for refusing it
The reply will not be given out until after
1t has been read to President White OF the
United Mine Workers and his committee
at the conference to be held week from
to-day.
The action Of the coal operators in thus
rejecting the miners demands at the start
is a departure from their attitude OF
three years ago when they entered into
negotiations with President Mitchell and
his committee with counter proposal.
Although from the resolution and action
taken yesterday il appeared as IL the oper-
ators might offer a counter proposal this
time. this was set at rest by one OF the
operators who is member OF the commit
tee. He said:
There is no idea Of making any propo-
sition to the miners. The question as to
whether or not there will be any further
negotiations is left entirely in their hands
II after our answer is presented they
decide to modify their demands and ask
for conference with this in view then
this would likely be the result but in
regard to the demands now presented
our action is final"
The most important demands OF the
miners are the 20 per cent wage increase.
an eight hour day and the collection OF
union dues by the operators. The abo-
lition Of the conciliation board. while an
important feature. is not a great factor
in the present situation because some OF
the operators are not enthusiastic over
its wOrkinga
President White was in Indianap polls
yesterday. The belief was pretty general
that the miners would seek to bring about
further conferences. President White
said la st week that it was likely that the
operators would reject their demands,
but he and his associates fully expected
that in doing so they would make a counter
proposition. That the operators have
put it right up to the miners to recede from
their present position or 60 ahead with
a strike will come as a great surprise to
the miners. The sentiment Of the opera
tors. it was said, was aga inst increasing
wages. point which Mr.. White said his
men intended to stick upon. The opera
tors were also decidedly against acting
as collectors OF union dues. This was
one OF the demands made three years
ago and rejected fatty then.
Not one Of the operators who were
seen Yesterday would discuss the Ques-
tion Of the supply Of coal on hand. II is
a matter which il being closely qua rded
just now. The action OF the meeting
was taken to indicate. however. that the
reports Of the different concerns repre-
sented as to storage coal had been ex-
trepeiy favorable and had greatly con-
trihuted toward stifiening The operators
attitude at the start OF the negotiations.
One operator said yesterday that he
thought 1t likely that there would be
suspension OF work on March 81 when
ha .TNt ,As,t \.
agreement ends a, noon on. that day.
Should the miners seek to reopen nego-
iiations with a mod flea ton Of their de-
mands ii might be some time before
matters reached u head. President White
has declared. however. that the minute
the agreement expires the men will quit
work.
The miners are relying on the British
coal strike To help them. President
White has also let il Ike known that con-
siderable importance il attached by them
To the fact that this is Presidential year
There are $4,000 miners who gre members
OF the Union. according To White. and he
let 1t be inferred by those with whom he
talked that the value OF these 5OO.0O
votes would be OF great advantage before
the present matte ended.
According to j. T.. Childs, vice-p -prpsi-
dent OF the New York. Ontario and West
ern. the miners union is Just now in the
hands Of the younger element among the
miners. who are the only ones who attend
the meetings. They seem to bs, much i'm
favor Of striking, Mr.. Childs said.
should strike be Gilleti," said MIR.
Childs. the Older men would undoubt-
.dly fall in line, even against their better
Judgment, simply BECAUSE Of the fear
Of being called scsibs-
According To Mr.. Childs Mr.. White is
dn unknown quantity so far as his control
OF the men is concerned.