Milford chronicle., 1912-03-01
MINERS DEMANDS
UP TO OPERATORS
Joint Conference AdjOuTnS Until
March Il or IS.
OWNERS MEET NEXT week
Operator Declares 20 Per Cent Ad-
vance In Wages Will Not Be Granted
or Union Recobnized.

No action was taken in New York
by the anthracite coal operators on
the demands of the United Mine Work
ers of America for higher wages and
other demands.
I The operators and miners, about
thirty-five of the latter, headed by
John P. White, president of the union,
were in conference. There was no dis
cussion of the demands. When the
session adjourned it was stated Off
cially the operators will consider the
demands at a meeting in New York
agreed to hold another joint session
with the operators on March II or 19,
when the operators will make known
their attitude.
At Tuesdays meeting of the opera
tors a committee will be appointed to
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. I'VE were ready to dis
cuss our proposition" declared one Of
the leading officials of the union, but
the operators were not. They have put
us to the expense of returning home
and coming back to New York again
Of course, we agreed to the PROPOSE
tion. They could have reserved de-
cision"
After the operators and the repre-
sentatives of the miners went into con-
ference it was stated unofiicially, but
from what is regarded as a reliable
source, that the demand for a 20
per cent. increase would be refused.
It was also said the operators will moi
agree to recognize the union, and will
refuse to concede the check off sys'
TEN. It was said the question of an
eight hour day is open for consider
alton.
Discussing the demands one of the
operators said that a twenty per cent.
increase in wages will not be granted.
He explained that the operators can
not advance the wages of the men
without increasing the cost Of coal to
the consumer, a course they are disin-
clined to take now.
The session was presided over by
James L. Cake. of West Pittston, Lu-
zerne county, Pa, an independent Op-
orator
Previous to the conference the thir-
ty-fve representatives of the miners,
headed by John P. White, president
of the union, met at the Hotel Vic
toria. Mr.. White and the three an
thracite district presidents, John T.
Dempsey, Thomas Kennedy and John
Fahey, were delegated to present the
demands to the operators and to be
spokesmen for the union at the confer.
ence. The demands are:
A working contract for one year, in
stead of for three years.
An eight-hour workday, instead OF
nine, without any reduction in wages.
Recognition of the union as a par y
to negotiate a wage contract, with
the operators collecting the union dues
by the check-Off system.
Abolition of the Cancellation board
and a more convenient and uniform
system of adjusting local grievances.
An advance of 20 per cent in wages.
A minimum rate of $3.50 a day for
miners and S2.75 for laborers for con |
tract work.
That no contract miner be allowed |
more than one working place or to
employ more than two labOrers.
That the rights of the check weigh !
man and the check docking boss be |
and that there shall be no |
with them.
That coal shall be paid for by the |
ton, instead of by the carload, as at
present.