The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-11-24

| New YORK.
| The mine workers continue to give
out the impression that the overtures
for a settlement came from the oper-
ators, but the operators here deny 1t.
They declare that the miners discov-
cred they had no case. One of them
| said:
IF it was a case in court we should
simply ask for a non-suit The miners
cannot submit n table of wages Show
ing the amounts received by the men,
and we can, and the figures will show
that the men are getting more than
Mr.. Mitchell demands for them-$6OO a
year as II living wage.
Few of the companies have an aver
age of less than $700."
"If that is the case, why are the oper-
| ators willing to give an increase?" he
was asked.
Because of the general prosperity OF
the country The railroads have given
their men ten per cent, and with such
a number of employees as the operators
have we cannot we'll refuse to give
them an increase too.
Fighting for Principle.
"Thc fact OF the matter is that we
|
increase as we were fighting for the
principle involved. We wanted to man.
age our own properties, and we have
finally succeeded, we think, in doing so.
Recognition of the union was purely
and simply what the officers Of the mine
workers were fighting for throughout"
Regarding the question of making
contracts with the workers and the
| s,, .s.,l, L, l,1
said: I'VE will probably ascertain what
| our men believe the condition of work
should be. reach an agreement with
them regarding it and post a notice at
the mines as to what it will be. There
will be no signing of contracts with
each individual worker or with the col
| liery employees as a body"
Another reason why they are anxious
to end the inquiry, it is said, was ad-
vanced by q local independent oper-
| ator who has made close study of the
situation.
| "Under the laws of Pennsylvania" he
| said, railroad corporations are not per-
mitted to engage in the business OF
| mining, and, it has been decided, may
not hold the majority of the stock of
any mining company. Several Of the
companies do own such majority con-
| troll, and are not anxious to disclose
| the fact under oath on the witness
stand. Neither are they eager to have
their officers or men, who We're formerly
officers, but are not now in their en-
ploy, to testify as to the cost and profit
of mining coal the transportation
i charges or the rebates granted to the
! shippers from their own mines.
| when the non-union miners asked
for the right to participate in the in
vestigation the railroad lawyers sought
| to have the list of their names kept
secret. This request was refused by the
commission, though Judge Gray prom
ised that no improper use would be
made of the list. This ruling was a
precedent, and was understood to be
| such. 1t meant that no testimony would
| be taken in secret, and that the rail-
roads could not expect to present fig
ures relating to their business in cam
era. From that moment they wanted
the inquiry stopped"
Among the prominent witnesses who
it is alleged, the railroad companies
are afraid of is Mr.. Walter, president
of the Lehigh Valley, whose resignation
was accepted by the board of directors
this week.
Saturdays Proceedings.
AS forecast in Saturdays Tribune, the
mine strike commission had a very
brief session Saturday morning and
then adjourned till December 3, to give
the parties opportunity to settle their
differences amicably. The independent
operators protested against settle
ment ''out of court" asserting there
had been an understanding between the
big companies and the miners to which
they had not been parties and that they
did not propose to be compelled to SUBJ
scribe to anything other parties might
agree to. Judge Gray assured the in
dependent operators there had been no
agreement reached as far as the COM
missioners knew and that no agree
ments would be ratified by the commits
sion until all the parties concerned were
parties to the agreement.
The commission adjourned and ap-
pointed Commissioners Clark, Parker
and Watkins to remain here as sub
committee to act with the parties as
conciliators. The subcommittee called
together the attorneys who We're still
in the city Saturday afternoon, and
| u
| the following statement:
Scranton, Pa, Nov. %, 1902.
| 1t appears that there is some misunder-
standing or some lack of understa nding
in connection with the recess taken by
| the commission aud the suggestion IN
that connection that possibly the contest.
ants might be able to agree upon some of
the important points involved.
The recess was desired by counsel for
| both sides because authoritative state
ments of hours and wages which are be-
ing prepared are not as yet ready.
The suggestion was made that perhaps
some agreement might be reached be-
tween the principals which would simplify
the problem and assist in reaching proper
conclusions. The chairman, speaking for
the commission, stated that the commits
sion would gladly cooperate. as far as
could consistently be done, i'm 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. The Idea is en-
tirely wrong. The commission will, as an
nOunCel. cheerfully encourage concilia.