New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-26
conference AdjOurns in
dispute Over Wage and
Hour Proposals.
MINERS MAY DECIDE
ON WALK-OUT MAY 2
White Still Optimistic-Opera.
,ors' Suggestions Ignored
by Union Men.

p,o.p.e,s for widespread strike in
=, anthracite regions Of Pennsylvania
=. heightened last night by the an
..r,.smert that the subcommittee Of
-,,,rs and operators, which has been
!. almost continuous session FOR more
a., tvo months, had adjourned with
:, rsching an agreement. The opera
-, bsve refused the demand Of the
-rsrs FOR a % per cent increase in
,,v ard recognition Of the union; the
.i,ers have rejected the counter-pro-
,,s,l Of the operators for 5 per cent
crease and an eight-hour day.
thirty members OF the tri-district
s,,,s. representing the miners. last
i'm, expressed the opinion that this
,.Turs TO agree would result in a
IKE. Unless some compromise is
.,,,bsd in the meantime the question
- valkout will be laid before the
liners convention az Pottsville, Penn,
On May.
When the general board Of the miners
-.s,s this morning in the Continental
Hotel report Of the failure Of the
AIN, conference will be laid before IL
Via, action will then be taken de
,.,d, on the decision Of the board. The
ioi-, conference is 20 be resumed to-
morrow.
REPRESENTATIVES OF the miners eX-
r,sssed fain; nope that further negotia-
ions would be productive Of results,
md pointed 70 the fact that not one OF
he eleven essential demands made by
u. miners had been granted.
White Upholds Workers.
John 2. White. president Of the
linked Mine Workers Of America. said
les, night:
4 cannot believe that the sntnra-
az. operators viii deliberately force
strike. B. meeting here with US
csy after day they have apparently
shown that they accept the principle
O, collective bargaining and realize
Rat the mer who risk their lives and
hsl,h in the industry IS against the
dollars Of the owners have right 20
voice in determining the conditions
s,der which they shall labor.
IN full confidence o. the good faith
= the operators, anthracite miners
isve continued work, although all
ssogt them they have seen fellow
stge-vorkors in other industries re
osiy.ng large increases in wages and
o;her beneficial working conditions.
The welfare % 10000 men and
their wives and children and the com
nsnities IN which they live is a.
sake u the operators want 20 be
far. we can yet reach an agreement y
Closed Shop Brought Conflict.
statement issued by the operators
committee was prefaced by the deela-
ii.lcn that the offer % the per cent
ss2e increase and the eight-hour dsv
vas automatically withdrawn when the
'ot. conference adjourned.
The cause % the disagree
nid ;he statement. was the demand
q :he miners for closed shop and
ne compulsory collection by the oper-
s;o's o. all dues and assessments the
srion sees ~ 20 levy against its mem
hs's. This demand and is rejection
ta1s after the operators had agreed
70 per cent increase and an eight
hoi' DAY FOR men now working nine
'or-t This was equivalent 20 l21s
i'i cent increase In pay
The operators maintain that the in
hSenee o. the miners upon their de-
rand 'or q closed shop is un-Anerioan
"a mat The enforced collection OF dues
y ne employer. known as the check
" = against ire practice % every
o'heF labor organization in the coun-
y. Much as they realize the respon-
'loiilty Of the step thew are taking. tho
operators believe that in rejecting
'ssf demands they are protecting the
.,it'g'lors - he country as well as
~ public without IN any degree de-
sring % snt2gonize the interests or
l'iheiplts o. organized labor.
Two Courses Open 10 Miners.
Two courses are open - the general
war Of the miners, either Of which
nay 10 decided upon to-day. The board
"a vote - take the question % n
''-ke direct % the Pottsville conven-
i.on or i can arrange FOR further ne
sseNi,ions through the medium OF the
l'ini conference.
u vas said Lac. night that ths re-
IVA o. ne operators 20 recognize the
ehion occupied the last four DAYS OF
-'f slb-c00r iftee sessions. and that y
.s' tnis. coupled With the refusal OF
.hy st5sisntiai wage increase. that led
70 me final agreement.