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Show oo EI6LMD FEARS 616 L STRIKE LONDON, Feb, 7. The probability of a national goal strike and complete dislocation of the Industry has been greatly; increased by the failure of the national conference of coal owners to effect a settlement, Duringthe early part of January a ballot of the minors' federation wa3 taken on the question of declaring a general strike on March 1. The ballot bal-lot Indicated that -14o,S01 men weio for a strike and 115,291 against iL Th'o conferonce of coal owners and miners was preceded by meetlugs of representatives of the coal miners in Great Britlan extending over many days, at which a minimum scale for all underground workers was formulated formu-lated according to tho varying conditions condi-tions of tho districts, but providing that nowhere should the wage be less than five shillings ($1.25) a da These demands were discussed at a prolonged session today with tho result re-sult that the coal owners adopted a resolution declaring "Tho owners are prepared to consent con-sent to the proposition that each person per-son in their omploymcnl should receive re-ceive a fair day's wage for a day's work, but are convinced that payment in proportion to the amount of work performed i the only rule that can bo successfully applied in (he case of coal goiters. They are aware that thero are casos in which, owing to difficulties arising in consequence of exceptional conditions, in the working work-ing place a man, while doing his best, is unable to cam what he would uu-der uu-der ordinary circumstances. In such cases tho owners recognize the ne- cosslty for special consideration and are willing to gho tho workmen the means by wh.'ch this can be ascertained ascer-tained " The resolution was adopted with reservation of tho right to continue negotiations. Tho miners replied ex. pressing regret at the 'refusal of tho coal owners to accept the principle of a minimum wage and adding "Wo, know that there can be no settlement of the present dispute unless un-less this principle is agreed to." In conclusion the miners announced announc-ed their desire to avert a serious rupr ture in the coal trade and their willingness, wil-lingness, for thl3 reason, "to meet the coaj owners at any time to discuss dis-cuss the matter further, if the coal owners express any dosiro to do so" Tho owners proposed to give thl3 subject further consideration and in this attitude lies tho hope that a coal strike may be averted. Prior to the adoption of the resolution reso-lution representatives of the South Wales Owners withdrew from tho conference con-ference with the statement that their agreement had years to run and they would not strike unless a minimum wage was granted Avas tantamount to announcement that the agreement would be broken. fr |