The leader., 1902-11-26
THEY'RE GETTING TOGETHER
The Owners and Workers May Como to an
Understanding Outside Of
the Commission.

Scranton, Pa, Nov. 22.-The mine
workers, through their representa-
tives, have agreed with the mine own
ers to attempt to adjust the differ
ences existing between them outside
the anthracite coal strike commission.
The proposition was made on a COM
promise basis, and negotiations, it is
expected, will be at once entered up
on, with a reasonable hope of settle
ment, with the aid of the arbitrators.
The rough proposition, which is to
form the besis of negotiations, is
ten-per-eent. increase in wages, nine
hour day, and trade agreements be-
tween the miners and the company by
which they are employed. The only
one of the four demands not touched
upon is that of the weighing of coal
by the legal ton. While both. sides
have expressed willingness to settle
their differences among themselves, 1t
is not to be construed that it carries
with it the acceptance Of the terms
proposed. They are mentioned only
as basis, it is understood, from
which a settle ment is to be effected.
1t is possible that the foundation al
ready laid can be wrecked by either
party holding out too strongly
against some question and thus leave
the whole matter in the hands of the
commissioners, who, in the meantime,
will act as a sort of a board of con-
citation, rather than as board of ar
bitration.
Few persons were aware than an at
tempt would be made at an outside
settlement until it was practically so
intimated byJudge Gray, the chairman
of the commission, who read a care
fully-prepared announcement from
the "bench."
The move, one of the most import
ant in the whole history of the coal
strike, created a mild sensation when
1T became known. The surprise was
all the greater from the fact that nu-
merous persons, from the president
of the United States down, and many
organizations from the National Civic
Federation to the small boards of
trade of the mining towns had failed
to bring the Two parties together. 1t
is said it was all brought about by
both sides seeing that the proceedings
before the commission would be in
terminable, and in the intermingling
of the lawyers for both sides the out
side agreement proposition was
preached and taken up.
1t can not be officially stated which
party made the proposition first. The
attorneys for both sides are averse
to talking, but those who were in
clined to say something differ in their
statements. An attorney for one of
lawyer for the miners said it came
from the operators. Another repre-
sentative of the miners said it was 4
Spontaneous" proposition. 1t is gen
orally believed, however, that the OPP
orators were the first to make the
proposition. Wayne MacNeagh, who
carried on such brilliant cross-ex-
animation of President Mitchell, is
given credit for bringing about the
present situation. He went to New
York after he finished with Mr.. Nit
chell and had a conference with GER
tain persons connected with the COM
mercial industry, among them, it is
reported, j. P. Morgan.
1t was learned that all the large
companies have not yet assented to
the proposed outside agreement, but
that in all probability they will con-
sent and continue to work as unit,
as they did during the strike. The
Philadelphia & Reading Coal and Iron
Co., it is understood, has not yet been
heard from on the matter. Those
which are said to be in the agreement
scheme are the Delaware & Hudson
and the Erie Co., which controls the
Pennsylvania Coal Co., and the Hill
side Coal and Iron Co. The attorneys
for some of the other companies are
hourly expecting to hear from the
head officials of the corporations they
represent.