Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-04-11

Philadelphia, April 10.-Prospects of
peace with an early resumption of
anthracite mining grew much brighter,
today. after the miners and the oper
atorssdeeided to sit down together and
talk over their differences. When the
negotiations broken off on March Il.
were resumed in the Reading termi-
nal here. this afternoon, George F.
Baher. president of the Reading Co.,
proposed on behalf of the operators
to arbitrate their differences, that is,
to let the anthracite coal strike COM
mission, which settled the strike OF
1902. investigate present conditions
and decide whether any modification of
the commissions award is necessary
at this time.
In the discussion which followed the
miners practically threw this offer
aside and the conference agreed finally
to appoint sub committees to take up
the demands of the miners with power
to make recommendations for ADJUST
ments. The sub committees were inn
mediately appointed and after a brief
joint session, they adjourned until to-
morrow afternoon.
Alvin Mark1e of Hazelton. an indie
pendent operator viii act as chairman
of the joint conference. but will have
no vote.
While the subcommittee are trying
to reach an agreement there will be
no conference between the two gen
eral committees of the operators and
the miners.
Aside from the offer to put the set
Element of the difference up to the
strike commission neither made a pro-
posal, but the Willingness with which
they agreed 10 the further discussion
of the demand is looked upon as a
good sign. 1t is expected that conces-
sions will be offered in the sessions of
the sub committees What these will
be is mere conjecture but the miners
representatives said. today they fully
expect 10 per cent increase in wages.
Aside from the wage demand that of
the recognition of the union seems t.
he the stumbling block in the way OF
an agreement.
President White of the Miners Tn
ion and members of the operators
committee who would talk. expressed
themselves as well satisfied with the
progress made, today. Tile best Of
feeling prevailed while the opposing
sides were together.
The conference having been asked
fer ty the miners. President White
proceeded To again lay the miners de-
mands before the operators. he took
up four matters. the award Of the an
thraeite strike commission treating
with the miners organization. the con-
ciliation board. and the wage question.
n u * u he rood To
ators, he said the award of the strike
commission was never considered just
and fair by the mine workers. "The
anthracite mine workers" he said.
continually chatting under the objec-
tionable provisions of the award, does
his work in state of subdued rebel
lion. The kind of peace prevailing is,
therefore, that what follows the reluc-
tant compliance with an unjust ar
rangement. There can be no genuine,
permanent abiding peace until the
award is supplanted by direct joint
agreement"
Taking up the question OF treating
with the organization, Mr.. White said
that the objections offered by the cper-
ators are not we'll founded.
The niners' president condemned the
eenciliatory board and on the wage
question, he said:
"Yeu lay stress upon the fact that
since 1902 the anthracite mine work
ers received an increase aggregating
$50. 000,0 00 The size of this amount.
while we believe not intended, might
create a false impression. There arc
employed in the anthracite mining in
dustry approximately 10000 men,
Thirty million dollars distributed
among them gives to each about SIZE
Inasmuch as this is the total amount
for a period of 10 years, the anthra-
cite miner received the magnificent
sum of s17.60 each year, scarcely
enough to pay the increased cost Of
one article among those which COM
prise the neeessaries of life"
Mr.. White said that the anthracite min
ers, considering the hazard and import
ance of his occupation, is the poorest
paid class of labor in America, today.
In replying to Mr.. White. Mr.. Baer
said that no one desired peace more than
the anthracite operators. ''But the fact
must still be kept in mind" he said,
that mining, coal is an industrial opera
ton. IT cannot be carried on at a loss.
We are prepared to demonstrate to you.