Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-15
MINERS QUIT PARLEY
All Negotiations With Coal
Operators Are Off.
TO SUSPEND WORK APRIL |
Action Follows Reiteration of De-
mands at Conference.
HARD COAL PRICES ADVANCE
Half of the 3,4OO Men Who Quit
at Pottsville Collieries
Return to Work.

NEW YORK, March 15.-"All negotia-
tons with the anthracite coal operators
are off, declared John P. White, presi-
dent of the United Mine Workers OF
America, at the adjournment Of the meet
ing this afternoon between the miners
and operators, in which the miners de-
clined the operators counter proposition.
Il look for general suspension of
work April L. he added
will there be a strike?" Mr.. White
was asked.
Il can't say as to that" he replied.
The miners officials will discuss that
matter this afternoon
The meeting between the miners and
the operators was brief. Mr. White read
to the operators the miners reply to their
rejection of the miners demands. 1t
was received without comment, and the
meeting adjourned without day.
None of the operators was willing to
talk.
Reply Of the Miners.
I'VE regret the positive position you
have TAKEN" the miners reply reads, las
we had hoped that, as the representa-
tfves of the anthracite coal operators, you
would consider the great change in con-
dtions existing now as compared with
those of 1902. upon which the coal strike
therefore, recognize the reasonableness of
the demands of the anthracite mine
workers and make such concessions as
industrial and market conditions and con-
ditions of living unquestionab.y now war
rant.
Your proposal to renew the present
agreement does not appeal to US, nor will
1t appeal to the peSple we represent. The
award of the coal strike commission was
not intended to continue in effect for all
time thereafter, regardless of how ma
terfally industrial and other conditions
might, change, and does not adequately
meet changed conditions now in effect.
We know tf no good reason the
reply continues. why mine workers
should be o5..se to work longer hours
sylvania than in the bituminous mines OF
the same state We, therefore, are salts
fed the justice of the demands submitted
for shorter working day, as well as
without saying that the purchasing
power of our people does not correspond
with that Of 1902.
Recognition Deemed Necessary.
The recognition Of the United Mine
Workers of districts Nos. l. and g. which
comprise the anthracite coal region. is
necessary in order to carry into effect
any agreement that might be entered into.
The anthracite mine workers have be-
come thoroughly convinced that they can
not protect their interests under the
terms of any contract unless their organ
ization Is fully recognized as a party
to it,"
Your proposal to renew the present
agreement is final and renders quite i'm
possible, the reply continues. the hope
OF arriving at satisfactory conclusion by
reason of such discussion while the posi-
ton OF your committee is continued In
this respect. In conclusion we are i'm
pressed with the seriousness of the situa-
ton confronting industry in general and
mining in particular, and are not un-
mindful of the welfare Of the general pub
lie. which might be affected by the fail
ure to arrive at satisfactory agree
ment."
The reply says in conclusion:
Now, firmly believing that as public
spirited citizens We have done more than
our full duty during all these years when
anthracite operators enjoyed unprece-
dented prosperity, we feel that the respon-
sibility which might follow failure to
questions at issue. when weighed by a
discriminating public. cannot be placed
upon the anthracite mine workers or
their representatives.
lie Calling Oh OI HeSOtld llOnS 1OIIOWeQ
the conference at which the miners re-
iterated demands for a recognition of the
union, an increase of ~ per cent in
wages, shorter working day and other
changes.
The bitumnous operators and their en-
ployes will confer at Cleveland March 20.
Retail prices of hard coal advanced
again today.
Miners Go Back to Work.
POTTSVILLE, Pa, March 15.-Seven-
teen hundred of the 4OO mine workers who
quit work at the collieries Of the Lehigh
Coal and. Navigation Company. in the
Panther Creek valley. because some Of
the men refused to wear union buttons.
returned to work today. The men re-
turned on the strength of assurance given
at a meeting last night that the mine
workers not identified with the union
would become members at an early date.
The miners at Nesquehoning and Coal
dale collieries Of the company. who went
out Monday, are still idle, about l ,7OO In
all, and there appears to be no likelihood
of an early break in their ranks. Thus
far the miners at the various collierss
have acted unanimously in quitting and
in returning to work.
The Lehish Coal and Navigation Com.
pany employs in all it's collieries $500
men and boys