Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-10-14
THE END IN SIGHT
yconr1Surp FROM FIRST PAeE.)

YcoHrrNuEp FROM FIRST PAGE,
That the business in its normal condition
has been able TO stand, Il the capital IN
vested is to have any reasonable return.
The profits have been small, several OF the
companies have become bankrupt and been
reorgan!ncd several times. Several have
never paid dividends. and the dividends
of the others have been only small re-
fa,rn for the capital invested. 1t is not.
however, the purpose Of this statement to
discuss this question. The undersigned
are not. and never have been unwilling to
submit ali questions between theh1 and
their worlSrnen TO any fair tribunal for de-
cision They are not willing to enter into
arbitration with the Mine Workers Union,
an organization chiefly composed OF men IN
a rival and competitive interest, and they
are not willing to make any arrangement
which will rot secure 10 the men now
working, and all now or hereafter wish
Ing to work whether they belong TO the
Mine Workers Union or not, the right
and opportunity TO work In safety, and
without personal insult or bodily harm to
themselves or their families. For these
reasons the arbitrations heretofore pro-
posed have been declined.
1T will be remembered that at the con-
made the following offer: That we would
take up at each colliery any alleged grieV-
ances and in the event of failure to
make satisfactory adjustment Of the
questions at issue, That these be submit
ted to the final decision of
the judges of the court of
common pleas OF Of the district in which
the colliery is located. This offer was
made by us in good faith. and we de-
sire here 10 reafirm it.
Public Need of Coal.
"'The coal companies realize that the
urgent public need of coal and the APP
prehension Of an inadequate supply for
the approaching winter, calls for an earn
est effort to reach practical conclusion,
which will result in an increased sup
ply, and the presidents Of the companies
desire to make every effort to that end
which docs not involve the abandonment
OF the interests committed to their care.
and of the men who are working and
seeking to work in their mines. This
responsibility they must bear and meet as
best they can. They therefore re-state
their position: That they are not dis
eliminating against the United Mine
Workers. but they insist that the miners
union shall not discriminate against o,
refuse to work with non-union men; that
there shall be no restriction or Geteriora-
ton in quantity quality of work, and
that owing to the varying physical condi-
lions of the anthracite mines each col
liery is q problem by itself.
I'VE suggest that a commission be
appointed by the President of the United
States df he is willing to perform that
public service), to whom shall be re-
ferred all questions at issue between the
respective companies and their own en-
ployees. whether they belong TO a union or
not, and the decision Of that commission
shall be accepted by us The commission
TO be constituted as follows:
Composition of Commi ssfon,
II. An officer in the engineer corps of
either the military or the naval service
of the United States.
CSC. An expert mining engineer, expe-
rienced in the mining Of coal and other
minerals and not in any way connected
with coal-1nining properties, either an
thracite or bituminous.
IS One of the judges Of the United
States courts of the Eastern
district of Pennsylvania.
80. A man Of prominence, eminent as
q, sociologist.
:" 5. A man who by active participation
in mining and selling coal is familiar with
the physical and commercial fea lures of
the business.
1T being the understanding that imme-
dately upon the constitution of such COM
mission. in order that idleness ard nom
production may cease instantly, the min
ers Will return to work and cease all in
reference with and persecution of any
non-unon men who are working or shall
hereafter work. The findings of this COM
mission shall fix the date when the same
shall be effective, and shall govern the
conditions of employment between the re-
spective companies and their own en-
ployees for a term of at least three years.
George F. Baer. president Philadelphia
and Reading Coal and Iron Company.
"'E. B. Thomas, chairman Pennsyl-
sania Coal Company, and Hillside Coal
and Iron Company.
Nv. II. Truesdale, president Delaware,
Lsckawanna and Western Railway Com
pany-
"'T. z. Fowler, president Scranton Coal
Company. and Elk Hill Coal and Iron
Company.
"'R. NJ. ELEPHANT. president Delaware
and Hudson Coal Company.
".Alfred Walter. president Lehigh Val
ley Coal Company.
Schedule Not from New York.
A note appended to the statement reads:
1.-THE schedule referred to in this state
ment was not brought from New YORK.
as It had not been completed"
Way Open for Settlement.
While no official statement was made
ut the White House after the opera
tors address was made public by Secre-
iary Cortelyou, the opinion was expressed
that the way is now open for a complete
settlement OF the strike and that the
mines will soon be in operation once more.
The assurance of the statement followed
the conference at the White House. after
(which Secretary Roots face was beaming.
and though the Secretary would say moth
ing as to the conference, except that Mr..