The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1916-02-26
MINERS AND own NERS
-
: IN BIG CONFERENCE
Most Important Session Since
Time Of Roosevelt Award''
e. Is Begun.
MOTHER JONES ON HAND:
HELPS WORKERS CAUSE
Miners Union Presents Its Claims
IS And Refutes Operators
Claim.

NEW YORK, Feb. 24.-The most
importan: conferences between coal
operators and miners since the FAM
Gus Roosevelt award,' began here
Monday.
Before the end of the week sessions
will be in progress involving the de-
mands for increased wages on thou
sands Of miners in the bituminous as
we'll as the anthracite fields.
The conference of anthracite oper-
ators and miners representatives be-
gan today. Mother" Jones, the angel
of the miners. is here. and will be
found close to a second conference
chambe: when discussions between
hituminous workers and operators
are resumed Thursday
Only One Increase.
The lAtters sessions were adjourned
from Mobile, Ala, as the conferences
so overlapped that it was necessary
for officials of the United Mine
Workers to arrange for a joint meet
ing here.
Anthracite miners have not been
given an increase in wages since the
Roosevelt award, and with the call
ing Of the conference today President
White of the Mine Workers, and
other union representatives are pre-
pared TO put up a strenuous fight
for the men.
The operators have gone to the
"people" with their arguments
against wage increase through an
extensive advertising campaign. They
have declared that an increase of
wages 20 the miners will mean an ad-
vance IN coal prices to consumers.
Gives Operators Lies.
President White denies that condi-
tions in the anthracite industry were
correctly outlined by the operators.
The leader of the miners declares
that railroads, owning the anthracite
mines. have realized huge profits"
In addition to the demand for in
creased wages, the miners seek an
eight-hour day and recognition of tha
union. 'rhirty-five representatives of
the miners union are here for the
conferences, and representative oper-
ators from Pennsylvania. Ohio, Illi-
nois and Indiana are ready to present
their arguments against the demands.
What They Want.
The miners want 20 per cent more
wages, the mine run system and bet
ter working conditions. The mine
owners say their profits are not
enough to warrant granting the min
ers' demands; and that if the de-
, mands are granted the price Of coal
will go up so cents a ton to tho con-
sumer, which will take about $23,-
100000 g. year more out of the con-
sumer's pocket.
The miners reply that the war has
made so much business for the coal
men that they are making more
money than they ever did before.
Representatives of the allies and of
manufacturers in America are watch
ing the situation closely and will do
everything in their power to prevent
a big coal strike and the paralvzinr
of business thereby.
See No Strike.
1t is not believed probable that =
general miners strike will be called
but in view of the distance apart the
miners ard operators seem to be on
the new agreement, men in a position
to know say it will be a stiff fight
With a strike not altogether an i'm
possibility
! The miners include in their de.
mands an eight-hour day with time
and half for overtime and double
time on Sundays and HOLIDAYS.
=