The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-10-15
Samuel G0mperS Declares
 Proposal is Unfair.
Sentiment of Union Men Will Be Sought, But Leaders Aver Nothing Will Come of Pros
 posed Board of Arbi- txation.


 thorough canvass of the situation as 1t exists tonight there is every indication for believing that the new arbitration plan proposed by the presidents of the coal companies for ending the miners strike will not be accepted in its present form.
 There Is a division of opinion among the strikers, but there is no doubt that a majority feel that the offes to nave the president of the United States select an arbitration commission along the lines suggested by the operators Is not fair and that 1t unduly limits the President in making up the board. The miners, 1t IS safe to say, will abide by the advice or their national President in whose judg- ment they have the utmost confidence President Mitchell declines to say now he personally looks upon the proposition but tonight gave out the following sta'e- ment:
 Statement of Mitchell.
 wilkesbarre, Oct. A.-Prisedent Mitchell of the Miners Union dictated the toilo"- ing statement to the Press tonight:
 "I fully appreciate with what anxiety people of our country are awaiting the eno of the coal strike. The coal operators nave not addressed the mine union or its of- ficers in making their public statement. It is therefore impossible for me to state the attitude of the miners at this tlme. I am now, as I have always oeen' oeepy solicitous of the interest of the pubic a,A tha welfare of the mine workers who have been on strike for the past nVe rorths A formal statement dehnmg our position and intention will be lssueo just as soon as we are in possessioh ol the full meaning of the proposition or the operators" ., + 0 This statement was made by him at o'clock after silence lasting all oay, lie had no intention of smaklngS-M ppp' the correspondents representing newspa- ners all over the country called on hi" in a body and informed him that the gen eral public desired to have an answer 10 the proposition of the operators.
 After giving the statement he was ask cd many questions regarding the attituoe of the men and the probability Of the ac ceptance or rejection of the new oner put he had no reply to make to any or these questions. He denied that he had any Knowledge of what the new offer of the operators was until it became public prop erty and also denied that he was in tel ephonic communication with President Roosevelt His attention was called 10 the fact that most of the information from Washington indicated that the prop osition would be accepted and that the
 
 maintained that neither the officers nor the rank and file had done anything 10 cause an impression to go out
 The district presidents also maintain silence as to their personal opinion or the nroposition excepting that President Fany gave an inkling as to how he viewed the new turn of anairs.
 Not Dealing in Gold Bricks.
 In reply to a query. he said: "The strike cannot be settled without the consent of the men. We are not deal ing in gold bricks of any kind' ana you can make any deduction from that you want .-. There will be a conference tomorrow between Mir Mitchell, the three district nresidents and Secretary-Treasurer VII son. It is fully expected that the senti- ment of all the strikers will be kno" TO- mcr1 ow and that action will be taken &C., ccrdingly. There is talk of a convention being called. put there |s hotihpS U" which to base this.
 When MT. Mitchell was asked whether ba and the district presidents had power to end the strike. he said 1t IS rule or the organization that no settlement can he made by the officers of the union With ont the consent of delegate convention Ii is practically certain that MT. Mltcheli advice will be followed in the conference. while he has not said word as to what ha will do, it is freely predicted by those ubo understand the situation that he VIII odvise 2 refusal of the proposition.
 The rank and file of the miners view +bo new proposals in different lights. Those who are opposed to accepting the new offer look upon the operators latest noove as counter-proposition to MT. Nrtchelrs offer to arbitrate, made in the .onnorary White House at Washington. rnay compare the two offers and pick o,+ what they allege to be many flaws. Thoir greatest objection to 1t Is that the onorators dictate to the President from ,hot class of men he shall select the ar .,trators and they charge the operators ,tt, lack of faith in the President when .,o,, do not give him a free hand to pick .t,o mon he wants. Another objection to
 that the President Is limited to four =, in selecting the jurist on the commis- "on Neither are they sure, they say, a+ Iahor would be represented, because ttla rronosal does not specifically say so, A ,hev argue that they have no assur- nce that "a man of prominence eminent sociologist' would cover this obJec- ton.
 Some Miners Willing.
 .oat many of the strikers think the
 sition should be accepted an dthat pIop pr,iners should trust President Roose- LII" 4, do the best he can under the con
 n by the coal road presi-
 wcs made h. one miner
 Mitch"" ot well af-
 ton after
 President
 omission.