Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-09-21

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side choosing representative, these
two to choose third and that he would
abide by the decision. Father Phillips,
of Hazleton, also spoke in favor of
arbitration.
President Mitchell and Organizer
James followed. They stated that the
Mine Workers also want arbitration,
but not with one operator alone but
with all employers of mine workers.
The committee appointed last Friday
to present the grievances of the men to
Mr.. Markle did not make report, and
the audience dispersed without coming
to any definite conclusion as to what
course the miners should follow.
PRINCIPAL OBJECTION.
The union men employed at the Mar
kle colleries state that the principal OBJ
lection to the plan proposed by the head
of the firm is that an acceptance of it
will commit them to the retention of
the sliding scale of wages, this feature
SO far made by Mr.. Markle.
The abolition of this scale is one of
the demands OF the Mine Workers. They
ask for a stated price per ton for min
ing and loading coal, the same to remain
fixed regardless of price-cuttng or price,
raising of coal by their employers.
In their list of grievances they protest
against the sliding scale, and they say
it shall bo included in any arbitration
plan to which they are asked to assent.
In no other business is the wage Of the
worker directly fixed by the selling
price of the product of his labor. If
the Markles will place the sliding scale
in the hands OF arbitrators, to stand or
fall on its merits, with the other grev-
ances, the offer to arbitrate will, the
Tribune is informed, be accepted.
OPERATORS WILL CONFER.
President Robert M. Olyphant, of the
Delaware and Hudson Company, and
President w. III. Truesdae, of the
boldWaI6, lJdChbWAIDd duu w eSbeTn
Company, in response to a request from
the Philadelphia North American, have
agreed to meet Archbishop p. j. Ryan,
of Philadelphia, and explain to him the
position of upper end operators with
reference to the strike.
No time has yet been set for this con-
ference.
FATHER PHILLIPS IN PHILADELPHIA.
Rev. e. S. Phillips, of Hazeton, ar
rived last evening in Philadelphia. He
was alone and proceeded at once to the
residence of Archbishop Ryan, where he
remained over night. In statement
issued to the Philadelphia papers, he
said:
1.-The strikers have the situation we'll
in hand and are gaining accessions to
their ranks right along | am unable
to tell at present what will be done in
the matter of arbitration. | have come
to Philadelphia to have an interchange
of ideas with Archbishop Ryan. The
men who quit work have added to their
numbers in much greater proportion
than was at first expected. The Wyom-
ing and Lackawanna coal fields are
completely in the hands of the strikers,
and from the headway which they have
been making l will be surprised If by
the end of this week they do not have
control of tho T,ahiuh raoinn
what means of arbitration might be
used it is hard to tell. 1t is possible
that the archbishop may think out some
plan by which the operators and the
miners can be brought together, and
thus prevent long struggle, with all
the suffering that such contest must
entail. Our object is to make the strike
as short-timed as possible. Something
may develop within the next few days
that will change the aspect of things in
the strike districts, but at present there
is nothing in sight"
PAY DAY TOMORROW
Tomorrow will be pay day at several
of the collieries throughout the region.
A number of the companies have signi-
fled their intention to make complete
settlement with all their employees who
ceased work last Monday.
In this vicinity G. b. Markle & Co.
and the Upper Lehigh Coal Company
will pay tomorrow.
TO DRIFToN EMPLOYEES.
Notices, 1t is said, will be posted to-
morrow stating that all inside employees
of Drifton Nos. l and slopes, who have
absented themselves without permission
and do not report for work ON Monday
morning, will be subject to approval as
in the case of new employees.