The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-11-22
WILL GET TOGETHER
Nine Workers and Operators Have
Come 10 az Understanding.
OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
Of the New Turn Of Affairs Was
Made by Commissioner Gray.
COMMISSION is TO cONcILIATE
----
Rather Than Arbltrate the Differences
COMMISSION is TO cONcILIATE
Rather Than Arbltrate the Differences
Which Now Exist.
THREE POINTS TO BE CONSIDERED
An Increase In Wages, Reduction IN
Hours and Trade Agreements Between
Companies and Their Men.

Scranton, Pa. November Fl The mine
workers, through their representatives.,
have agreed with the mine owners to at.
tempt to adjust the differences existing be
tween them outside the anthracite coat
commission. The proposition was made on
a compromise basis and negotiations, It Is
said, will be entered upon at once with a
reasonable hope Of settlement with the aid
of the arbitrators, The rough proposition
which is 10 form the basis OF negotiations
rs a 10 per cent Increase in wages, a nint,
hour day and trade agreements between
the miners and the company by which they
are employed The only one Of the -FOUR
demand not touched upon is that OF the
Weighing Of coal by the legal ton,
While both sides have expressed win
ingness to settle their differences among
themselves, II is not TO be construed that
II carries with it the acceptance OF the
terms proposed They are mentioned only
as a basis. II is understood from which n
settlement is to be Effected. II Is possible
tho foundation already laid can be wrecked
by either party holding out too strongly
against some question ana thus leave the
whole matter in the hands OF the commits.
sioners who, in the meantime, will act as
sort Of board OF Cancellation rather than
as board Of arbitration. Few persons
were aware that an attempt would be
made at an outside settlement until u was
practically so intimated by Judge Gray,
the chairman of the commission, who read
a carefully prepared announcement from
the "bench." The move, one Of the most
important in the whole history Of the coal
strike, created a mild sensation when II
became known. The surprise was all the
greater when II was remembered tnat
numerous persons from the president or the
United States down ana many organiza
tions from the National civic Federation n
the small boards Of trade OF the mining
towns, 'falled to bring the two parties TO-
gether. II is said It was brought about
by both sides seeing that the proceedings
before the commission would be intermina-
BILE and that In the interminRllng OF the
lawyers for both sides the outside agree.
ment proposition was preached and taken
up.
1t can not be officially stated which
party made the proposition first. The at
torneys for both sides are averse 10 talk
ing, but those who are inclined TO say
diner IN their statements. An attorney
for one railroad said It came from the
miners side, while n lawyer for the miners
said It came from the operators. A repre-
sentative OF the miners said II was "spon-
taneous proposition" 1t is generally be.
leved. however, that the operators were
the first TO make the proposition.
MAcvBAGH GIVEN CREDIT.
Wayne MacVeagh ia given credit FOR
bringing about the present situation tie
went to New York after he finished with
Mr. Mitchell and had a conference with
certain persons connected with the coal
Industry, among them, It is reported, j. Y.
Morgan. He was In New York today In
connection with the matter.
The commissioners were Informed Of the
new turn OF affairs last night and ac-
qulesced in the proposed arrangement. The
subject did not directly come M IN the
public hearing today and the adjournment
proposition was made ostensibly TO permit
both sides to complete their work In pre-
pairing documentary evidence. Clarence s.
barrow OF Chicago, one Of Mfr. Mitchel's
attorneys. brought the matter out when.
near the close Of todays session. he sug
gested that the miners be given little
more time to prepare their evidence. The
miners wanted 10 present the due bllis or
wage statements Of thousands OF miners
running book for several years, and they
found that the task Of presenting them in
a proper manner was a stupendous one.
They also wanted to carefully examine the
company books. and this. too. would take
considerable time.
While Mr. DGrrow was saying this the
commissioners were all attention and no
one outside OF them and few representa-
tlyes on each side of the case knew what
was coming.
Judge Cray. in reply 70 Mr.. Darrow, said
that the commission would be very glad
to cooperate ia bringing about the accom-