The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-23
SUBCOMMITTEE
APPOINTED
To ACT As CoNCILIATORs AND VOICE
WISHES OF ARBITRATORs.
Individual Operators Dfspleased Over
the Method Of Conducting the
investigation.

SNPcSedliOh u dIl parties 10 the COutTO-
versy that when the arbitrators again meet
an agreement on all the points in dispute
will be ready for submission to and APP
prevail by the commissioners. Attorneys
on both sides express the opinion that an
amicable adjustment will be reached and
predict that the commissioners will make
only one more trip to this city.
Before adjourning to-day substitute or
Cancellation" committee was appointed In
order that the wishes of the commission
may be officially voiced with regard to any
matter that might arise in the interval.
The commissioners want 1t understood that
they have the last say in the adjustment
of the differences; that they will carry the
full responsibility for whatever award, If
any. they make, and that whatever is
agreed upon must have their full approval
before the agreement can be put in oper-
alton.
The committee, which is made up Of
Commissioners Watkins, Parker and Clark,
this afternoon called into conference as
many OF the attorneys representing all the
parties before the commission as could be
gathered on short notice and stated to
them the attitude OF the commission. After
the meeting q statement was given out in
order that the general public, which the
commission regards is seriously interested
in the proceedings, might know the position
Of the arbitrators regarding the new turn
affairs took on Friday.
THE COMMISSIONS STATEMENT.
The commissions statement in full fol-
lows:
1T appears that there is some misunder-
standing, or some lack of understanding, in
connection with the recess taken by the
commission and the suggestion in that con-
nection that possibly the contestants might
be able to agree upon some of the impor-
tant points involved. The recess was de-
sired by counsel for both sides, because au-
thoritative statements of hours and wages
which are being prepared are not as yet
ready.
THE suggestion was made that perhaps
some agreement might be reached between
the principals which would simplify the
problem and assist in reaching proper con-
illusions. The chairman, speaking for the
commission stated that the commission
would gladly cooperate as far as could
be conveniently done in furthering an
effort to reach an understanding through
conciliatory means and methods.
THE idea has gone out In some quarters
that the matter is to be settled without
further effort or responsibility on the part
of the commission. This idea Is entirely
wrong. The commission will, as announced,
cheerfully encourage conciliatory spirit and
action between the parties to the contro-
versy, but the commission has not sur
rendered and will not surrender jurisdiction
of any of the matters which have been
referred to 1t, nor responsibility for the
conclusion reached No adjustment can be
made which does not, by its terms, COM
mend itself strongly enough to secure the
approval of the commission and it's incor-
poration in the award
with view and for the purpose of re-
moving any misunderstanding which might
exist, the subcommittee of the commission
the several interested parties as could be
reached TO meet this afternoon
Those at the meeting were Clarence s.
Darrow and Henry ID. Lloyd, of Chicago
and James +. Lenahan, Of Wilkesbarre,
representing the mine workers; David Will
cox, vice president and general counsel of
the Delaware * Hudson Company; John
b. Kerr, of New York, representing the
Scranton Coal Company and the Elk Hill
Coal and Iron Company; Everett Warren
Of Scranton. for the Pennsylvania Coal
Company; John T. Lenahan, OF Wilkes
| barre, and Joseph O'Brien, of Scranton, at
| torneys for nonunion men, and Ira II
| Burns, of Scranton, counsel for the indie
| pendent operators.
INDIVIDUAL OPERATORS SORE.
The individual operators between thirty
and forty of whom are represented before
the commission, are disposed to object tc
the way matters have been progressing
Mr. Burns, one of their attorneys, brought
the matter before the commission to-day
| and said the individual operators wanted
to be consulted in whatever agreements
regarding the proceedings before the com.
mission may be made. In all that has SO
| far taken place. he said, the independent
| operators had not been consulted although
ho1 RI for -Coxy a.
fournment. Chairman Gray, for the com
| mission, had long coloquy with Mr.
| Burns, in which Judge Gray gave the in.
| dependent operators to understand that the
| commissioners will not abrogate their duty
and that whatever agreements tending to-
/ ward a settlement of questions at issue
| have been effected were made by the par
| ties to the agreements and that the com
/ mission had taken no part in them.
| AS a result of the discussion the individ
| ual operators submitted paper contain
| ing statement of their position. The in
| dependent operators say they would rather
| have the whole matter threshed out before
| the commission than have a private settle
| ment of the difficulties. One of them said
| s'There Is more than question of wage:
| and hours involved in this fight. We arr
| right and we want TO have the opportunity
of showing the American people we ar,
| right. If an increase of wages and short
1 er work day are agreed upon in private tn,
| public viii have the impression we wer,
| wrong We want to show in open hearins
/ the reign of terror that has been in ex
| istence in this region during the last 81,
/ months.
| There were no important development
| to-day in the matter of agreements be
| tween the large coal companies and tn
| miners Each side is feeling its way an,
| by the early part of next week they will b.
| ready to proceed. There were informa
| conferences among the attorneys during tn
| day. but nothing definite was reached. TIL
| rough basis on which the parties in interes
| will work is a 10 per cent. increase, a nine
hour day and yearly agreements between
the men and the company which employ
| them. Tentative proposals have been in
| formally made by both sides, and ii 1
| stated that there Is very little differenc
between them. 1t is not expected that ev
| cry question will be settled without som
| assistance from the commission. The mat
| ter of yearly agreements with the men an
| not with the United Mine Workers as a.
organization probably will be left to tn
| commission TO arbitrate.
There were many rumors afioat to-da
that several companies had made conces
! sions to the miners. The principal one wa
that the Delaware &, Hudson Compan
had offered the men an increase of wage
| of Z, s and per cent without any furthe
arguments, but this was denied by MI
WIN g. ~ - IT, L.