The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-10-02
SLOW PROGRESS MADE
IN SETTLING TERMS OF COMPROMISE
Ii THE COAL STRIKE
COAL OPERATORS IN CONFERENCE
Over the Question OF Concessions to be
Made the Miners The Details of Set
Element OF the Differences Cause
Much Controversy Among Parties.
The strikers Perfectly QuIer-with-
drawaI of Part OF the Troops Under
Contemplation.

only incident of any Importance here
today was the conference between
General Goblin, Sheriff Toole and rep
resentatives of mine operators rela-
tive to the withdrawal of the troops.
The meeting was held at the solicita-
ton of General Goblin, VIII said he
did not believe the presence of the
troops necessary since there IS abso
utely no indication of violence on the
strikers part, with the additional fact
that this district is completely tied UP.
The operators We're undecided as TO
whether the troops should be ordered
home or kept here several days longer.
They finally agreed that Sheriff Toole
was the proper person to decide that
question The sheriff was unwilling to
assume the responsibility and told the
Associated Press correspondent that
the matter was in the hands of Gener-
al Goblin. The general said there was
no necessity for keeping such a large
body of troops here and that he had
decided TO send one regiment away on
Monday. He said tonight that the
Twelfth regiment would probably be
the first to depart, though he could
not say positively before tomorrow.
Philadelphia, September 29.-Late
developments tonight show that the
efforts Ito bring about a hurried settle
ment of THE coal miners strike are
still in a chaotic condition. While
there is every surface evidence of hon
est intention on the part of the mine
owners and operators to grant the
| more important demands of the mine
workers, the difficulties in detail, in
| reaching the basis of settlement
grow more confusing. At a conference
tonight at Wilkesbarre, an important
residential point of mining railroad
| superintendent and big individual
| mine operators, mine foremen We're
called in to take part in the discussion.
| The foremen were questioned relative
| to the charge for powder, dockage, etc.
| indicating that the owners were en-
deavoring TO reach a common ground
| where justice would be found for each
| side. So far as can be learned no def
| mite conclusion was reached.
The general opinion among those in
| &C position Ito comprehend the differ
ences is that the settlement Of the
strike $ yet remote. All interests in
volved, however, seem to be Wiling TO
reach an early settlement, and conces-
sions, it is understood, will be readily
accorded by both sides in the contro-
versy.
The strike leaders are cautious in
be learned, have not taken the ground
that trickery was being played, a eau
tionary notice on which point they had
previous4y Y sent to all the strikers.
1t has now apparently settled itself
down to a common sense discussion
Of the fferences.
Hazleton, Pa, September 29.-All ne
gotta tions between G.. b. Markle g. Co.
and it's employees are off and arbitra-
ton has received its first serious blow
in the present struggle between the
miners and mime owners Tonight the
committee of employees which present
ed grievances to the firm sent the fol-
lowing communication Ito John MaTkle
the managing partner of the firm:
''We, the undersigned, committee of
employees of G.. B. Markle & Co. ap
pointed to arrange for arbitration un-
der the agreement between the agree
ment is broken by the employees"
HaZleton, Pa, September 29.-"We
are closing the mines and awaiting de-
ve1OpmenitS," was all THAT President
Mitchell, of the United Mime Workers.
| would say tonight when asked wheth-
er he had received any information
from New York or elsewhere as to
what the operators are doing lin their
efforts to settle the coal strike. AL
though he had automatically evaded
the question, there is a strong belief
here that Mr.. Mitchell lis kept fully
advised of the progress of events in
the metropolis.
If the reported advance of 10 per
cent. has been finally agreed upon it
has not, so far as can be learned, been
offered to any of the mine workers
in the anthracite region.
President Mitchell, speaking on the
general situation from the strikers
point of view, said: 1.-The newspaper
reports that the operators have con-
ceded an advance of 10 per cent. has
aroused great interest in the ranks of
the strikers. The people are standing
united, awaiting authentic information
from the officials of the organization.
There are more men idle today than
at any time since the strike was fnau-
guarted and I have reason to believe
that the tie UP wiu soon be complete.
About 134, 900 men are now ON strike"
New York, September 29.-Anthra-
cite coal was quoted 81 a ton cheaper
today than 1T was two days ago. This
was taken as an indication that the
railroads and others with stocks of
coal on hand regard an early settle
| ment OF the miners strike probable