Jasper County Democrat, Volume 9, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 April 1906 — WILL NOT INTERVENE [ARTICLE]

WILL NOT INTERVENE

President Roosevelt Declines to Nhme a Bituminous Coal Strike Commission. IS PLEASED i Refuses, However, to Make Any Comment on the News. Signs or Peace Are Visible Both at New York and in the Mining Regions, Both Hard and Soft.

Columbus, 0.. April 5. John H. Winder, president of the Ohio Operators’ association, has given out part of a letter he has received from President Roosevelt, in which the president replies to the request that a commission be appointed by him to settle the miners’ strike. The president writes: "To appoint a commission to meet with the miners and operators as you request would necessitate action on the part of congress. As yet I am not prepared to say what action I personally will, or can, take in the matter.” Just Suits John Mitchell. New York, April s.—When President Mitchell was informed that President Ro<fsevelt had declined to interfere with the soft coal troubles he showed great interest, and inquired if the text of the president’s communication had been made public. He refused to cominent on the president’s action, But he plainly showed he was much gratified at the stand the president has taken. Anthracite Men Hope for Peace. Philadelphia,- April 5. Anticipation that a satisfactory arrangement will be made by the operators’ and miners’ representatives when they again meet in conference today at New York prevails throughout the anthracite region. Unlike the years 1900 and 1902, when both strikes were preceded by pronounced agitation, the mine workers appear to believe that when the conferrees finish their deliberations they will have adopted a plan which, if it does not comply with all the demands of the mine workers, will at least grant concessions resulting in a resumption of mining operations. “All Over in a Week.” Pittsburg, April 5.— A further development in the soft coal situation in this district is indicated in the statement of an independent operator who has been present at the meetings of independents and was one of the charter members of the organization formed Tuesday night. This gentleman said: “It will be all over in a week. If the Pittebnrg_Coal company gets all

their men back to work by next week there will be nothing left for the independents to do but sign the scale.”

PEACE SIGNS AT GOTHAM

Miners Believed to Have Concluded to Modify Their Demands. New York, April 5. —It is the general belief of those who are closely watching the situation about the anthracite miners’ headquarters in this city that the miners have definitely decided to modify their demands, and will present them to' the operators probably today. Some of the members of the committee privately admitted before coming to New York for the present negotiations that the original demands were greater than the miners really expected to get. It is believed that if the operators will meet the men half way on some of the demands they have made snch as a reconstruction of the con ciliation board, an eight-hour day, and an increase in pay for some classes of labor —the miners would seriously consider the proposition of renewing the strike commission award for not more than one year. The miners have all along asserted that they would not bind themselves to any agreement for three years. When these reports, as well as other similar reports, were called to the attention of the meniliers of the miners’ committee the*.v referred the Inquirers to President Mitchell, whp when approached would shake his head and say: “There is nothing I can say at this time.” Two long sessions of the miners’ committee were held, but all that was given out as to its proceedings was that the matters connected with the anthracite question had been considered and referred to the sub-eoin-mlttee, to report thereon this morning.

ROBBINS IS TURNED DOWN His Mines In Illinois Will Not Sign the 1003 Scale. Chicago. April 5. —The Illinois Collieries company, which was supposed to have been controlled by Francis L. Robbins, of the Pittsburg Coal company, who at the joint convention in Indianapolis last week agreed to the demands of the miners, has determined to stand with the other operators against making any concessions to the miners. This company operates eight mines in different parts of the state and employs more than 2,000 miners, and the stockholders have met and ignored Robbins, who holds but 40 per cent, of the stock. The difficulty will not be settled for at least two months, is the prediction made by Herman Justi, commissioner of the Illinois Coal Operators’ association. On the other hand an early settlement of the coal strike is predicted by tiie United Mine Workers’ Journal, *be official organ of the United Mine