The professional world. (Columbia, Mo.) 1901-192?, 1902-10-17

VINO Will tOfm the COMMISSION
Washington, d. c., Oct. 14-By au-
thority of ]. Pierpont Morgan, who,
with his partner, Robert Bacon, and
Secretary Root, were in conference
with President Roosevelt tonight, a
statement was given out by Secretary
Cortelyou in which the presidents of
the co~al-carrying railroads and the
mine operatords propose a commission
of five persons to adjust differences ana
settle the coal strike in the anthracite
coal fields. The proposition is believed
by the administration to be satisfac-
tory to the miners, as it covers the
proposition made by rlltchell. with adj
ditional conditions which it is believed
the miners will accept.
The statement sets forth the desire
of the operators to have their position
understood. Then follows a statement
respecting the number of companies OPP
Grating mines, and the miners employ
ed, and the declaration that possibly
onehalf belongs to the United Mine
Workers. The organizing of the min
ers' union is briefly reviewed, leading
up to the ordering Of the strike last
May. Since then. the operators say, T.
900 to 10, 900 men not members of the
union are at work, and that many more
who wished to work were prevented by
violence ana intimidation, destruction
of property and fear of death. They
charge this reign of terror has contin-
ued and increased Notwithstanding the
disavowals of Mitchell, and say at Is
clear he either cannot or will not pre-
vent it."
The operators say the wages paid are
fair and full, and that profits have been
small. They say they never have been
unwilling to submit questions between
them and their workmen to any fair
tribunal, but say they are not willing
to enter into arbitration with the Mine
Workers union, nor to make any ar
rangement which will not secure to the
men not now working, and all now or
hereafter wishing to work, whether
they belong to the union or not, the
right and opportunity to work in safe
ty and without insult or bodily harm
to themselves or their families.
The operators then refer to the con-
ference with Tie president Oct. 8 and
repeat the proposition made then. They
say they realize that urgent public
need of coal and apprehension of an in
adequate supply for the approaching
winter, calls for an earnest effort to
reach a practical conclusion which will
result in an increased production.
The statement concludes: 1--WE sug-
gest that the commission be appointed
by the president of the United States,
if he is willing to perform that public
service, to whom shall be referred all
the questions at issue between the re-
spective companies and their own en-
ployes, whether they belong to the I'M
ion or not, but the decision of that COM
mission shall be accepted by us. The
commission to be constituted as fol-
lows:
"An officer in the engineer corps,
either military or naval service Of the
United States.
"An expert mining engineer, exper-
fenced in mining coal and other
materials, and not in any way connect
ed with coal mining properties, either
anthracite or bituminous.
"a Judge of the United States court,
Eastern district of Pennsylvania.
"A mar of prominence, eminent as a
sociologist.
"A man who, by active participation
in mining and selling coal, is familiar
with the physical and commercial fea-
lures of the business.
at being the understanding that, i'm
mediately Upon the constitution of such
commission, in order that idleness and
non-production may cease instantly,
the miners will return to work and
cease all interference with and persecu-
ton of any non-union men who are
working, or shall hereafter work. The
findings of this commission shall fix q
date when the same shall be effective
and shall govern the conditions of en-
ployment between the respective com
panies and their employees for a term OF
at least three years"
While no official statement was made
at the white house after the operators
address was made public, the opinion
was expressed that the way is now
open for a complete settlement of the
strike, and hat the mines would soor
be in operation once more. When Sec.
rotary Root came down at the close Of
the conference his face was beaming
and although he would say nothing he
seemed so satisfied that those who a
him believed good progress had beer
made toward a settlement of the greaI
question which has been giving the ad'
miniStratiOn so much concern.
The proposition of the operators wa:
the result of the visit of Secretary ROOF
to New York and his conference with J
Pierpont Morgan on Saturday. Morgan
at that time expressed keen interest il
the situation and desired to bring abou'
an adjustment if possible. Following
this talk with Root there was a confer
ence in New York today, at which thu
proposition of the operators was agreed
to, and Morgan was delegated to brin.
it to the president, in the belief tina
such would be courteous and the pes
way of PRONUNCIATION of the offer.
The next move will be the p~resenta
ton of the matter to the miners, and /
is probable President Mitchell will b,
invited to Washington to consult witt
President Roosevelt. 1t is believed her,
that he will accept the proposition.
j. Pierpont Morgan and Robert S
Bacon, M of his partners, arrived herr
tonight and were driven to the Airing