The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-12-27

A Brsidwood correspondent sends us tn,
following statement oi q satisfactory set.
tlement Of dispute by arbitration. W.
hope to see this example followed in fu-
ture by the miners and operators Of the en-
tire country.
For some time past there has been q
dispute with the miners at Morris and their
employers, in regard to the price Of coal
there, the bosses, who have been ship
ping coal to the Chicago market, claiming
that they had to compete there with the
cheap coal of BraldwOod. The men, on
tho other hand, always maintaining that
they had nothing too much, because Of the
difference Of the vein, for digging. How
ever, the matter eliminated in q notice to
the miners by the bosses, on the last Of
November, that they would reduce the
price Of digging from S1.65 to el.5O per
ton-they claiming they were paying that
much over the BrAidwOod Prices-to CON-
mence on the FIRST Of the present month.
To the reduction the men objected, and
held a general meeting on the Sd Of the
month, to consult one with the other what
they would do under the circumstances
After discussing the matter thoroughly,
they concluded, in accordance with the
rules Of the Miners Benevolent and Pro-
tective Association Of the Northwest. to
submit the matter to diSinterested parties
to decidedly arbitration il the bosses
wouldagree. Accordingly aresolutiOn to this
effect was submitted TO the employers, and
after some slight opposition they agreed,
and submitted their terms as basis to ar
bitrate on. The employer terms Of arbi-
tration were acceded t. at once by the mi
ners, and the bosses chose on their behalf
Mr.. Alexander Patterson, of Braidwood,
and the miners, Mr. Robert Psden, Of
the same place, both men being practical
miners and fully acquainted with the Morris
and BraidwOod veins. Those two chose as
umpire, Mr.. James BrAidwood. On Tues
day last, the parties left f1r Morris, accom-
panied by Mr.. ID. Mclaughlin, President
Of the Miners Association for this Dis
trict, and the whole party visited the diff
ferent mines owned by the bosses whereat
the trouble existed, and then returned to
the city and went into session. The ses-
sion lasted four hours, during winch time
the matter considered was fully discussed
by the representatives Of the different in
terests. Having exhausted the subject to
their satisfaction, they left it in the hands
of their able and experienced referee
for his decision, who reviewing the whole
testimony presented, gave the following as
his decision Taking the price paid at
Braidwood as a basis, 81 % per ton for the
mere digging, he believed the difference Of
the vein and everything considered, that a
fair and equal adjustment Of the prices
would be Sl.62A for digging the Morris
vein, to advance and lower in proportion
as the Braidwood prices advanced or were
reduced" The arbitrators received the
decision with equal satisfaction, and car
ried the news to their representative con-
stituents, who each agreed tO abide by the
determination reached by the parties to
whom the matter was referred.
This Is as it should be. The results of
this, the first effort in this district to settle
such disputes must surely be precedent
to follow in times to come. We are pleased
at this and cannot close this little notice
without complimenting all the parties con-
nected for their good Judgment and tact in
setting amicably dispute that, had it gone
into a strike, would have cost the workmen
of this district pile of money, and must
have proved disastrous to the interests Of
the employers, with whom the dispute
originated. We are told our friend, Mr..
Braidwood, exhibited the skill Of a Judge
in arriving at q conclusion, and that the
different arbitrators showed signs Of being
able exponents Of justice and counselors of
no mean merit. The President, too, of
the Union, ought not to be ommitted in
our notice. He had much to do with pre-
pairing the minds Of the men for the ques-
ton, and laying the matter before the
employers As well. He showed clearly that
unless they (the bosses) were disposed to
do right, and Absls the result Of the arbi-
tration, that the Union would sustain the
men to the last. He also explained to the
men that they muSt abide by the rules of
the association else they could not have its
support. On the whole, the question has
been judiciOusly handled by all who have
had anything TO do with counseling the sd-
justment, and we have its fruits by all be-
ing pleased. "All's well that ends well s.