Arizona republican., 1902-10-15

Wilkesbarre, Pa, October 14.-From a thorough canvass of the situation as it exists tonight there is every indica tion that the new arbitration plan pro- posed by the presidents O: the coal companies for the ending of the min CTS strike will not be accepted in it's present form. There is a division of opinion among the strikers, but there is no doubt that a majority feel that the offer to have the president of the United States to select an arbitration commission along the lines suggested by the operators is net fair, and un- duly limits the president in making up the board. The miners. it is safe to say, will abide by the advice of their national president, in whose judgment they have the utmost confidence. Pres ident Mitchell declines to say how he personally looks upon the proposition, but tonight he gave to the press the following statement:
 "I fully appreciate with what enxiety the people of our country are awaiting the end of the coal strike. The coal operators have not addressed the miners union or it's officers in making their public statement. It is therefore impossible for me to state the attitude of the miners at this time. I am now, as I always have been deeply solicit0us of the interests of the public and the welfare of the mine workers who have been on strike for the past five months. A formal statement defining our posi- ton and intentions will be issued just as soon as we are in possession of the full meaning Of the proposition of the operators"
 After giving it he was asked many questions regarding the attitude of the men and the probability O. the accept ance or rejection of the new offer, but he had no reply to make to any of these questions. He denied that he had any knowledge what the new cffer of the operators was until it became public property. and he also denied that he was in telephonic communication with President Roosevelt. His attention was called to the fact that most of the in- formation from Washington indicated that the proposition would be accept ed, and that the strike was near an end, but he stoutly maintained that neither his officers nor the rank and file of the men had done anything to cause such an impression to go out.
 The district presidents also maintain silence as to their personal opinion on the proposition, excepting President Fahey, who, after he arrived from Bos- ton today, gave an inkling as to how he viewed the new turn of affairs. In reply to a query he said:
 "The strike cannot be settled with out the consent of the men. We are net dealing in gold bricks of any kind, and ycu can make any deduction from this you want"
 There will be a conference tomorrow between MT. Mitchell, the three district presidents and Secretary-Treasurer Wilson. It is fully expected that the sentiment of all the strikers will hs known tomorrow, and that action will be taken accordingly The rank and file of the miners view the new pro- posals in different lights. Those who are opposed to accepting the new of fer lock upon the operators latest move as a counter proposition to Pres ident Mitchell's offer to arbitrate, made in the temporary White House at Washington. They compare the two offers and pick cut what they ailege to be many flaws. Their greatest ob- jection to it is that the operators die tate to the president from what class of men he shall select the arbitrators, and they charge the operators with lack of faith in the president when they do net not give him a free hand to pick the men he wants
 Another objection to it is that the president is limited to four men in se- lectins d jurist on the commission. Neither are they sure, they say, that labor will be represented, because the Droposal does net specifically say so, and they add they have no assurance that a "man of prominence, eminent as a sociologist,'' would cover this ct- jection A great many of the strikers think the proposition should be ac- cepted and that the miners should trust President Roosevelt to do the best he can under the conditions laid down by the coal road presidents.