The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1902-11-27
MAY BE SETTLED.
Surprising TURN IN COAL STRIKE
AFFAIRS.
Mine Workers and Operators Have
Agreed to Attempt a Settlement
of Existing Differences---Comm
sioners Approve Proposition and
Will Do What They Can to Assist

Scranton, Pa, Nov. 22.-The mine
workers, through their representatives.,
have agreed with the mine owners to
attempt to adjust the differences exist
ing between them outside the anthra-
cite coal strike commission. The pro-
nosition was made on a compromise
basis, and negotiations, it is expected,
will at once be entered upon, with
reasonable hope of settlement, with
the aid of the arbitrator. The rough
proposition which is to form the basis
of negotiations is ten per cent. in
crease in wages, nine-hour day, and
trade agreements between 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 will
ingness to settle their differences
among themselves, it is not to be con-
strued that it carries with it the ac-
ceptance of the terms proposed. They
are mentioned only as basis, it is
understood, from which settlement is
to be effected. 1t is possible that the
foundation already 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 sort of board of concilia-
ton rather than as board of arbitla-
ton.
Came as a Surprise.
Few persons were aware that an at
tempt wound be made of an outside set
Element until it was practically so in
timated by Judge Gray, the chairman
of the commission, who read carefully
prepared announcement from the
"bench." The move, one of the most
important in the whole history of the
coal strike, created mild sensation
when it became known.
Wayne MacVeagh, who carried on
such brilliant cross-exam nation of
President Mitchell, is given credit for
bringing about the present situation.
He held conference with certain per-
sons connected with the coal industry,
among them, it is rumored, j. P. Nor
gan. He is in New York in connec-
ton with the matter.
Commissioners Acquiesce,
The commissioners were informed of
the new turn of affairs and acquiesced
in the proposed arrangement. The sub
ject did not directly come up in the
public hearing, and the adjournment
proposition was made ostensibly to per-
NIT both sides to complete their work
of preparing documentary evidence.
Clarence S. barrow, of Chicago, one
of Mr.. Mitchell's attorneys, brought
the matter out when, near the close OF
the session, he suggested that the
miners be given little more time to
prepare their evidence. The miners
wanted to present their due bills or
wage statements of thousands of min
ers, running back for several years, and
they found that the task OF getting them
in proper manner was stupendous
one. They also wanted to carefully
examine the company books, and this,
too, would take considerable time.
While Mr.. Darrow was saying this
the commissioners were all attention,
and no one outside of them and a few
representatives of each side of the case
knew what was coming. Judge Gray,
in reply to Mr.. barrow, said that the
commission would be very glad to CO.
operate in bringing about the accom-
plshment of the end by which the
miners could have time to examine the
books of the companies.
1--WE have been aware for some tlme'
he said, "that while the testimony that
has been adduced has been very inter
esting, and I will not say that II mas
not been of value, yet it has not borne
directly on the points at issue between
the parties to this controversy.
Compromise Is Urged.
"Acceding to the suggestion Just
made by counsel that an interval OF
time be taken for the preparation OF
the documentary evidence, and Tor the
possible agreement as to certain iacts
and figures which would forward the
work of the commission, the commls-
sion desires to express the hope that an
effort will be made by the parties 10
come to an agreement upon nearly all
If not all, the matters now IN contro-
versy, and that they will adopt the sug-
gestion heretofore made by the commits
sion to cousnel on both sides, that we
aid them in such an effort by our con-
cilatory offices. 1t seems to us tnat
many of the conditions complained Of
and which have been the subject oil the
explanation - might be better rem
edied by the parties to the controversy
approaching the subject in the proper