The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1902-10-18

WAElinEIOU. ONls hN 1VSAA -
orators have agreed to the appointment
of a commission to be appointed by
the President of the United States, to
whom shall be referred all questions
at issue between tie companies and
their employees whether they belong TO
a untuon or not and the decision OF
the commission shall be accepted by
the onerators. The commission is TO
consist of an army and navy engineer
officer an expert mining engineer not
connected with the coal mining prop
critics. one of the judges OF the United
States courts of the Eastern district
of Pennsylvania. a man of prominence
as A soeiologist, and a man who by act
i've participation in mining and selling
of coal Is familiar with the physical
and commercial features of the busi-
ness. The operators also make part
OF their proposition that the miners
shall return to work as soon as the
commission is constituted and to cease
all interference with non-union men.
The commission is to name date
when its findings shall be effective and
10 govern conditions of employment be-
tween the companies and their own en-
ployes for at least three years.
The statement was read to the Pres
ident as an act of courtesy before being
given to the press.
OGicIal Statement.
Secretary Cortelyou, by authority of
those present at the White House,
made public the following authorized
statement concerning the conference:
Mr.. J. P. Morgan came to Washing
ton with his partner, Mr.. Bacon, at
the request of the coal companies, who
desired that as matter of courtesy
their statement should be shown to
the President before it was made pub
lie. Having been laid before the Pres
ident by Mr.. Morgan, it is now given
to the press.
ITO the Public:
The managers of the different coal
properties comprising the anthracite
coal fields wish their position in the
present strike to be understood, and
therefore make the following state
ment of facts
There are in the anthracite regions
about seventy-five operating companies
and firms, and $4,000 miners and
workmen (of which 10000 are under
age) comprising twenty nationalities
and dialects.
"Of these workmen possibly one
half belong to the United Mine Work
ers' Union, of which John Mitchell is
president. That organization was orig
inally formed in the bituminous coal
region and three-fourths of its mem
bers are miners of bituminous coal
and bituminous coal is sold in active
competition with anthracite coal. The
remaining workmen in the anthracite
fields either belong to no union what
ever, or do not blenog to Mine Work
ers' Union.
Mine Workers Blamed.
THE present strike was declared by
the Mine Workers Union on the 10th
day of May, 1902. Since that time
many workmen not belonging to or
not willing to follow that organization
were working about the mines. From
1000 to 10000 are now at work. Many
more have wished to work, but have
been prevented by a course of violence
and intimidation toward those work
ing and toward their families, accom-
panied by the destruction of proper
ties and the fear of death or bodily
harm to every man who wishes to exer-
else his right to work.
Alleged Reign of Terror.
"A schedule is annexed hereto show
ing some of the things done to create
this reign of terror and every instance
stated can be verified by reference to
the officers of the law-civil and mil
itary-in the anthracite region This
violence has continued and steadily in
creased, Notwithstanding repeated dis
ayowals by Mr.. Mitchell, and 1t is clear
that he either cannot or will not pre-
vent it, and that the rights of the other
workmen cannot be protected under
the supremacy of the Mine Workers
Union.
The coal companies believe that the
wages paid in the coal regions are fair
and full, and all that the business in
its normal condition has been able to
stand if the capital invested is to have
any reasonable return. The profits
have been small, several of the COM
panies have become bankrupt and been
reorganized several times. Several
have never paid dividends and the div
idends of the others have been a small
return for the capital invested. 1t is
not, however, the purpose of this state
ment TO discuss the question.
willing Now to Arbitrate.
The undersigned are not and never
have been unwilling to submit all
questions between them and their
workmen to any fair tribunal for de-
eision. They are not willing to enter
into arbitration with the Mine Work
ers Union, an organization chiefly
composed of men in a rival and COM
petitiye interest, and they are not will
ing TO make any arrangement which
VIII not secure to the men now work
ing and all now or hereafter wishing
70 work, whether they belong TO the
Nine Workers Union or not the right
and opportunity TO work in safety
and without personal insult or in