Omaha daily bee., 1902-05-27
NEW PLANS OF ARBITRATION
Basis Laid at Conference to Devise Way to
Settle Strike.
CIVIC FEDERATION TAKES IT UP AGAIN
while all Are Reticent II IL Re-
Iieved Plan Is Agreed on that
May change the whole
situation.

CHICAGO, May 26.-A conference that
promises to change the aspect OF the an
thracite strike situation was held In this
city today between several members OF the
National Civic Federation and union In
terests. President John Mitchell Of the
United Mine Workers OF America, who ar
rived here Sunday. met Frank P. Sargent
and Franklin McVeagh Of the Federation
and Samuel Keefs Of the Longshoremen'e
union and plans for further arbitrative en-
deavors on the part Of the Federation were
discussed.
The meeting was executive and DEFINITE
statements as to the details of the confer
ence we're not announced. 1t is understood,
however, that the plan agreed upon con
templates calling another conference Of the
mine operators and the whole committee
of the National Civic Federation at New
York. with a view to arbitrating the strike
question. II lie said that the plan will be
sent TO Senator Hanna for approval before
a recommendation for further arbitration
e made. II the plan is carried into effect
it is expected that ZONE definite announce
ment Of II will be made within a week or
ten days.
President Mitchell declined to go into
the details Of the meeting, but said IT was
not called by him. He said further that
the mine workers were showing no indica-
tion OF weakening their position.
SIN DoubtfuI Question.
wILKEsBARRE, Pa, May 2s.-It is still
a matter OF conjecture whether the mines
in the anthracite region will be completely
shut down next Monday, when the order
issued by the executive board OF the United
Mine Workers governing the hours Of labor
and wages to be paid engineers, fremon
- $1,000 uaau ERsn APfArN Thn
operators claim they will have all the help
necessary to keep the pumps and engines
running order.
The United Nine Workers and the officers
OF the Stationary Firenhen's association, on
the other hand. claim that unless the coal
companies grant the demands made upon
them the great bulk of the engineers, fire.
men and pumpmen will quit work. Many
Of the engineers do not like the ~predica-
ment they are placed in. II they quit work
they may never be reinstated, while II they
remain at their posts and the miners
should win their strike they probably would
hnd hat things would not be so pleasant
for them At the collieries in the future.
Most Of Them VIII Strike.
At a largely attended meeting In this
city tonight q committee Of United Mine
workers reported that they had called on
many engineers during the day and that
nearly all had given their word that they
would join the other strikers next Monday
unless the demand for a shorter workday
was granted.
The hremen will strike almost to a man
and the operators will be compelled to
secure green hands to take their places.
The stationary hremen have a membership
OF over 1000 in the district, and within a
year a great many fremen who formerly
belonged to the Stationary Firemen's as
ISOLATION have Joined the United Mine
Workers. Secretary Mullahy claims that
9 per cent OF the engineers and pumpmer
will strike. The engineers, fremen and
pumpAen who we're discharged at the
Boston colliery of the Delaware & Hudson
company because they refused to do the
work which was formerly done by the
strikers were reinstated today.
Miners Leave
P~oTTSVILLE. Pa, May 26.-Since the
inauguration OF the strike In the anthracite
coal region there has been a continuous
exodus OF mine workers from the district
Many OF the miners have taken their fami-
lies with them. the intention being ia
locate permanently in other fields. Most Of
the departing mine workers are foreign.
ers. but many EngTish-speaking strikers
are among the number.
Since the suspension two dozen English
speaking families have left Frackville
Buck mountain has been practically de
serted and New Philadelphia is being rap
idly depopulated. 1t is estimated tina
over 1000 mine workers have left shen
Andoah and vicinity.
The engineers, pumpmsn and fremen II
this section will meet here Wednesday Il
take action Upon the order affecting then
issued by President Mitchell. The senti
ment IL strongly In favor Of forcing tn
demand for eight hours at present wages
Two independent operators have granted II