New-York tribune., 1912-03-14
ONE STEP NEARER
BIG COAL STRIKE
Ope7atcrs Refuse in Toto the De-
mands Of anthracite Mine
Workers. Who Assert
They Went Yield.
| SITUATION AT a DEADLOCK
Employers Declare Industrial
Conditions Don't Warrant
Concessions Asked-White
fays 100000 Are
Ready TO Quit.

Ready TO Quit.
The formal refusal OF the anthracite
coal operators yesterday to grant the de-
mands of the mine workers greatly en-
hanced the possibility Of another bis coal
strike IN this country. While the com
mittee representing the miners asked for
time to study" the detailed answer SUD-
mitted 10 them by the committee of ten
operators. the union leaders said last
night that matters were virtually at Il
deadlock and that there was no inten-
tion on their part OF modifying their de-
mands.
John T. White, president Of the United
Mine Workers Of America, estimated last
night that about five hundred thousand
men would walk out Of the mines Z a
strike order should go into effect THAT
would include the 10000 mine workers
in the anthracite region and 33o.VD
bituminous coal miners, he SAID. Nhie
a substantial part of that number were
not members in good standing OF the
union. nevertheless they would all walk
out if a strike were ordered, L was said.
4 dispatch last night from Wilkqs-
Barre. the heart of Ne anthracite region.
said the refusal of the operators to grant
the miners demands was no surprise. IL
was added. however that ii was De-
licvcd there that the employers eventually
would grant a 10 per cent increase IN
wages, such a raise being sufficient, II
vas said. 10 appease most of the Work
men ana thus avert a strike.
The delegates of the United Mine
Workers, consisting Of committee OF
ten. met the committee Of anthracite op-
orators, headed by George +. Baer, presi-
dent of the Philadelphia & Reading Rail
road. in joint conference At the Trunk
Line Association. No. l43 Liberty street,
Yesterday afternoon. The railroad men
were on hand half an hour before the
miners committee appeared. The meet
ing hardly reached the dignity Of con-
ference. Printed copies of the operators
replv were handed TO the members of the
labor committee, and the secretary OF
the operators committee proceeded TO
read II aoud.
Miners Ask for Time.
Without the least suggestion OF con-
troyersy i'm regard to the reply PRESIDENT
White Of the United Mine Workers I'M
mediately asked for an adjournment for
day or two in order that the mlns
workers delegates might have an op-
ncrtunity to study" the operators an
swer. 1t was agreed TO meet again az
noon on Friday at the Trunk Line as
sociation. Mr.. White said that his cqm-
mittee would probably submit, at that
time. a detailed answer to the opera
tors refusal as a matter or argument
against the points which the operators
made in giving their reasons why theF
could not concede the miners demands
The mine workers leader made IT cleac
however. that the original demands OK
the union would stand, and there woNlo
he no offer Of modifying them at me
conference or Friday. 1t was consid-
cred not unlikely that the counter an
swer TO be prepared by the mine work.
ers' committee would include the spe-
| cifc announcement that the men would
go on strike at the expiration of the
present three-year agreement on MaTch
| ~ unless the operators conceded fhe
original demands. -. White and his
nina associates conferred last night at
the Victoria Heel, Broadway and 2ita
street where most OF the members OF
the committee are staying. They VIII
hold further conferences to-day in prep
aration for the meeting with the opera
tors tomorrow noon.
| Union Leaders Not Surprised.
| IF was evident that the anthracite
workers representatives had somewhat
anticipated the tenor of the operators
ren,v Mr.. White said afterward that II
had ot surprised him or his associates
on the committee. They had felt that
tho attitude of the operators had been
pretty accurately reflected In the press
for the last few days. 1t would be out or
tho question, he said, TO continue work
IN the anthracite region under the pres
enr conditions, and renew the present
| three years COH'i dNl 90 .S"SSNS>N' -
the operators committee in their reply.
"The mere fact that We asked for
little time TO study this refusal of our
demands" he said. indicates that we
still hope for an amicabe settlement.
We do not want strike II We can help
! q hut the demands we made will stand.
Between now and Friday the miners
| representatives will get together in con-
ference and consider over the operators
| document"
The reply of the operators committee
left no loophole for mediation Of the
miners demands II was a fiat refusal
In toto. Industrial conditions would not
nermit of their yielding, the committee
declared. Were we to do so." the state
r,opt read. I'VE should cast aside in
large part, the work of the Anthracite
Strike Commission appointed by the
President of the United states in 1902
Referring to the demand for 20 per
cant increase in wages. the committee
said:
1T is out of the question for the oper-
stors 10 advance wages unless they can
I'm some manner realize from the sale OF
coal produced sum equal TO the IN
crease in wages"
The reply ended by putting the re-
sponsibllty for change OF the present
satisfactory condition of affairs in the
anthracite region" squarely up to the
mine workers, and trusting. upon con-