The Washington times., 1916-02-21
MINE OWNERS WILL
OFFER WAGE RAISE
TO AVERT STRIKE
Conference With Employees De-
signed to Prevent Halt In
Anthracite Fields.


NEW YORK. Feb. n.-For the first
time since the anthracite coal operators
made known their unfavorable attitude
toward the demands OF the United Mine
Workers OF America II 10 admitted
that at the conferences with the union
representatives., which began this morn
ing. the operators may agree TO sub
stantial increases Of the wage sched-
ules.
From a source close to the operators
1t was intimated they will be willing
to concede a per cent raise.
That the operators. in taking this
attitude. are receding from their for
mer stand was denied. 1t was recalled
that the reply to the miners demands
issued three weeks ago. which was In
terpreted as an unofficial rejection Of
all requests, really was intended only
as an explanation OF the operators at
titude and what the demands really
would mean to the public.
Separate Conference.
Both miners and operators held sepa-
The operators went into session at the
McAlpin at II o'clock. and President
White met with representatives OF the
miners.
1t Is understood that the position to
be taken bv the operators will be deh-
nitely determined during their confer
ence. This afternoon a Joint conference
is scheduled when the miners will pre-
sent their demands.
On one point. II was positively as
serted. there II no chance that the
operators will alter their position. This
Is the recognition of the union. II was
emphasized that they are determined to
refuse the least concession in that direc-
ton.
Operators Open Minded
On the other two sets OF demands
Increased pay and an elRht-kour day
II was stated that the operators viii
enter the conference with oDen minds
uninfiuenced by the unofficial opinion
expressed in the executive committees
| unfavorable report. That they are
frankly ready to consider substantial
concessions. however. came as some
thing OF a surprise.
This does not mean" explained an
operator who viii participate In the
conference. that a 8 Der cent increase
or any other definite increase has been
| considered officially. II does mean
that concessions probably will be made
along the line OF salary Increase, how
ever. and that per cent probably 10 a
god estimate of how they will sum
a 6 per cent wage increase, the oper
ators fgure. would mean an increase o
nearly 100000 in the cost of mininI
coal, or an increase of 3 cents a ton II
the cost of production. On the groun
that IS per cent OF the coal Is mined a
a loss the operators have figured
would take an increase to the consume
OF 60 cents n ton to cover the added eX
pense of a 20 per cent wage increase
on this basis a per cent Increase woul
coal.
Contracts Expire March 81.
An advantage which the miners wi
have in the coming conferences Is tn
fact that the agreements under whic
the anthracite and the bituminou
miners work expire Bimultaneausl
March 81. The same union controls bot
sets OF men, so that II Is expected fu
use will be made OF the opportunity
threaten at one time the entire coal n
| y. belWecH
anthracite operators. however. there
no such cooperation.
John p. white, president OF the Unite
Mine Workers, arrived here yesterday.
Tho miners" he said, ARE Eoin
into this conference with every cor
fdence that the operators will recol
: nize the justice and reasonableness {
their demands.
Conditions In the anthracite fel
have grown worse instead of bottle
because the cost of living has gone u
faster than wages
Average $500 Yearly.
The average anthracite mine worke
White said, does not make enough
; support his family In decency. the mi
, jority earning less than $40 a yea
$3.50 a year being the estimate by Il
D United States Bureau of Labor az Il
\ minimum on which a family can live
: decency.
5 The miners are represented at Il
" conference by thirty-five miners al
!. union officials, among them, besid
! White. F. ]. Hayes, vice president
n the union; William Green, secretar
John T. Dempsy, OF Scranton. preside
r uf Distric: No. 1, and the leaders
:, other districts.
S. d. Warmer. president OF the L
J, high Coal and Navigation Company
chairman of the committee ~ ope
!, ators. There are about twenty-f
O members.