The Irish standard., 1902-11-29
INQUIRY Is ADJOURNED.
Action Taken to Afford Operators ana
Miners a Chance to Reach
Mutual Agreement.

Scranton, Pa, Nov. 24.-The mine
workers, through their representa-
tives, have agreed with the r1ine own
ers to attempt to adjust the differen-
ces existing between them outside the
anthracite coal strike commission.
The commission has adjourned until
December 3 and most of the commits
sioners and out-of-town attorneys
have left for their homes.
1t is expected by all parties to the
controversy that an agreement COW
ering all points in dispute will be
ready on that date. Each side is feel
ing it's way, and by the early part of
next week they will be reauy to pro-
coed. There were informal confer
ences among the attorneys during the
day, but nothing definite was reached.
The rough basis on which the parties
in interest will work is a ten per cent.
increase, nine-hour day, and yearly
agreements between the men and the
company which employs them.
After the meeting statement was
given out in order that the general
public, which the commission re-
CARDS is seriously interested in the
proceedings, might know the position
OF the arbitrators regarding the new
turn affairs took on Friday. This
statement in full is as follows:
ut appears that there is some mis-
understanding, or some lack of UNDER
standing, in connection with the recess
taken by the commission, and the sug-
gestion in that connection that posi-
bly, the contestants might be able to
agree upon some of the important
points involved. The idea has gone
out in some quarters that the matter
is to be settled without further effort
or responsibility on the part of the
commission. This idea is entirely
wrong. The commission will, as an
nounced, cheerfully encourage con-
ciliatory spirit and action between
the parties to the controversy, but the
commission has not surrendered and
will not surrender jurisdiction of any
of the matters which have been re-
ferred to it, nor responsibility for the
conclusion reached. No adjustment
can be made which does not, by its
terms, commend itself strongly
enough to secure the approval of the
commission and its incorporation in
the award.
The position to be taken by the indie
pendent coal operators with regard
to the tentative agreement between
the mine workers to settle their dis
pute outside the anthracite coal strike
commission, but with the conciiatory
assistance of the arbitrators, has not
yet been definitely decided upon. The
Independents held meeting Sunday
night at which were present the rep,
resentatives of about 26 companies
and a committee of nine was appointed
to go to New York on Tuesday for the
purpose of meeting the presidents of
the coal carrying railroads and learn
from them what the independent COM
panies are to expect providing they
agree to go along and adjust the labor
dispute without arbitration.
Until they learn what the large
companies intend to do the indepen.
dents will make no positive stand, be.
yond that which they took in the hear.
ing before the commission on Satur.
day. That was to the effect that they
object to the commission approving
any agreement in which the indepen.
dent operators are not included.