The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1902-10-16
CLAIMS HE. CANNOT STATE At
TlTUDE OF MINERS AT
PRESENT. TIME.
MONY DIFFERENT r, VIEWS
SOME MEN FAVOR ACCEPTING
THE TERMS, WHILE OTHERS
OPPOSE IDEA. \

W1lhSSDdiIS, Ed, OCI. lO.-E IOM q
thorough canvass of the situation as
it exists now there is every indication
for believing that the new arbitration
plan proposed by the presidents of
the coal companies for ending the
miners 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 majority feel
that the offer to have the president
of the United States select an arbitta-
ton commission along the lines sug-
gested by the operators is not fair,
and that it unduly limits the president
in naming the board. The miners, it
is safe to say, will abide by the adj
vice of their national president, in
whose judgment they have the utmost
confidence. President Mitchell de-
clines to say how he personally looks
upon the proposition, but he gave to
the press the following statement:
Mr.. MitcheIPs Statement.
II fully appreciate with what anx-
iety the people of the 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 have always
been, deeply solicitous of the inter-
ests of the public and the welfare of
the mine workers who have been on
strike for the past five months. A for
NAL statement defining our position
and intentions will be issued just as
soon as we are in possession of the
full meaning of the proposition of the
operators
Refused to Answer Questions.
This statement was made by him
at s D. m, after silence lasti&g all
day. He had no intention of making
ing newspapers all over the country
called on him in a body and informed
him that the general public desired to
have an answer to the proposition OF
the operators. After giving it he was
asked many questions regarding the
attitude of the men and the probable
ity of the acceptance 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 OF
what the new offer of the operators
was until it became public property
and also denied that he was in tele-
phonic communication with President
Roosevelt. His attention was called
to the fact that most Of the informa-
ton from Washington indicated that
the proposition would be accepted and
that the strike was near an end, but
he sternly maintained that neither his
officers nor the rank and file of the
men had done anything to cause such
an impression to go out.
District Presidents Silent.
The district presidents also maintain
silence as to their personal opinion on
the proposition excepting President
Fahy, who, after he arrived from Bos-
ton, gave an inkling as to how he view
ed the new turn of affairs. In reply to
a question he said:
"The strike cannot be settled with
out the consent of the men. We are
not dealing in gold bricks of any kind,
and you can make any deduction from
that you want"
There will be a conference during
the day between Mr.. Mitchell, the
three district presidents and Secretary
Treasurer Wilson, who will arrive
here. 1t is fully expected that the SELL
timent of all the strikers will be
known before night and that action
will be taken accordingly. There is
talk of a convention being called, but
there is nothing definite on which to
base this talk. When Mr.. Mitchell
was asked if he and the district off.
GERS had power to end the strike he
said that it is the rule of the organ
ization that no settlement can be made
by the officers of the union without
the consent of delegate convention
It is practically certain that Mr.. Mitch
ellis voice will be followed in the con.
ference. While he has not said a
word as to what he will do, it is free
ly predicted by those who understand
the situation that he will advise a re-
fusal OF the proposition.
Viewed in Different Liqhts.
The rank and file of the miners view
the new proposals in different lights
and make strong arguments according
to their views. Those who are Cd
posed to accepting the new offer lool
upon the operators last move as E
tounter-proposition to Mr.. MITCHELL:
offer to arbitrate made in the tempor
airy White House at Washington. The,
compare The two offers and pick ou,
what they allege to be many flaws
liner greatest objection to it is tha
= the operators dictate to the presiden
from what class of men he shall az
lect the arbitrators and charge thu
operators with lack of faith in tn
president when they do not give hin
a free hand to pick the men he wants
Another objection to it is that tn,