Evening star., 1922-02-26
OWNERS TO MEET
HARD COAL MINERS
Continued from First Page.)

thracite coal cannot expect to deviate
from the trend Of other commodities.
Anthracite coal is too high when
considered with other things and with
commodities in which 1t comes in
competition" said the chief spokes-
man of the hard coal operators. land
prices have got to come down to meet
the economic situation. for the pros
perity of the mine workers as well as
that of the consumers. whom we
recognize as the third party"
Mr.. Warriner said the high cost of
coal to the consumer is due to the
cost Of production. in which the mine
workers wages are a large part.
There must be def1ation. he added. not
rates as we'll as in other things.
He pointed out that the average in
crease In the cost of living since 1914
is. 57.7 per cent, and that the average
increase in the wages of day labor
in and about the anthracite collieries
There are about 100000 men en-
ployed in the anthracite industry by
the day These figures do not in
clude contract miners.
Await Miners Demands.
er or not the operators had agreed
upon a definite wage basis. to be sub
mitted TO the miners next month. He
said they probably would not indicate
this until the miners demands, for
mulated in the anthracite convention
in Shamokin last month and ratified
by the International convention in
indianapolis last Saturday are official-
ly laid before them by the mine
workers in New York. The mine
workers adopted nineteen demands
at Shamokin and also decided to sus-
~ nd AVvff ty, v,t
that no agreement has been reached
by that time.
/ The demands provide that the con-
!, tract wage scale be increased 20 per
cent. and that all day men be granted
an increase OF 81 a day.
Letter From Lewis.
Mr.. Warriner gave out the corre-
spondence between himself and John
L. Lewis. president of the United
Mine Workers, in arranging for the
first joint meeting. Mr.: Lewis in his
letter. under date OF February 90
said:
The wage agreement in the anthra-
cite coal fields between the anthracite
coal operators and the United Mine
Workers Of America, District. 1.
and 9. terminates on March 81, 1922
national convention Of the United Mine
Workers of America has authorized me
to address yourself and associate
anthracite operators upon the question
of the holding of a joint conference
for the purpose OF negotiating a new
agreement to be effective from April l.
las tentative proposition, subject
to change through necessity of mutual
convenience. I suggest that such a con-
ference convene in New York city on
Wednesday. March Is. 1922. at 10 am.
II this suggestion should meet with the
approval Of the anthracite operators. /
shall be glad to arrange for adequate
representation from the tri-district scale
committee and representatives OF the
International union.
The place OF meeting in New York
upon the suggested date could be de-
termined later in the usual way"
wnrriner's Reply.
Mr.. WARMERS reply as chairman of
the general policies committee reads:
Il have your letter of February 20,
suggesting that joint conference be
held in New York on Wednesday, March
Is. for the purpose of negotiating q new
agreement to be effective from April /,
1922. ...-.
Il regret that so little time is avail
able before the termination of our
present agreement as to render our ne
gotiations hurried, but under the cir
cumstances your suggestion Of the time
and place is agreeable to U.S. We will
therefore be very glad to meet you in
New York city on Wednesday, March Is.
1t would be more convenient for us
to have the meeting convene at 2 pm,
instead of 10 am. and I trust this will
be agreeable to you"