The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-25
Independent Operators to Confer with
Representatives of Coal-Carrying
Roads at New York.
WANT LOWER FREIGHT RATES
H THEY ARE FORCED To ADVANCE
WAGES OF EMPLOYEES.
Outlook for a Settlement o. the Whole
Anthracite Trouble Believed to
he Brighter Than Ever.

SCRANTON, Pa, Nov. A.-The scenes of
the strike settlement negotiation have been
suddenly shifted from this city to Wash
ington and New York. Tomorrow the
committee of nine of the independent oper-
ators expect to hold a conference with the
presidents of the coal-carrying roads re-
garding the position Of the individual COM
parties, and at the same time a meeting
between Wayne MacVeagh and possibly
other attorneys will be held in the national
capital Scranton and the entire coal re-
gions will, in the meantime wait with
siderable interest 10 hear what the Thanks
giving offering will be. The New York
conference has been known for twenty
four hours, the Washington meeting was
decided on this evening. The independents
have gone 10 New York TO find out what
the large companies can do for them in the
way OF freight rates in case an increase In
wages Is decided on. The mine workers
representatives went to Washington to find
out what the large companies had to Offer
Both ardently wish for success. but it was
not within their power to say what will be
the outcome.
Although the miners representatives did
not know why they were summoned to
Washington, they believe the companies
have something to offer. Wayne Mac
Veagh was in telegraphic communication
at noon with Clarence s. Darrow, Mr.
Mitchells leading attorney, and later Mr.
MacVeagh called him up on the Iong-dis-
tance Telephone from Philadelphia. Mr.
MacVeagh said he wished to have a con-
ference with Mr.. Mitchell and himself. but
as ne was not feeling well. he desired that
they all meet in Washington Tomorrow.
instead OF he making the journey to Scran-
ton. Mr.. Darrow said that Mr. Macveagh
Terence Tor, but he felt that Mr.. MacVeash
would not summon them to the national
caPital II ne were not qualified clothed
WIN authority 10 carry on negotiations
MR. MITCHELLS PARTY.
Mr.. Mitchell's party left here at 4:35 %.
m, and is due to arrive in Washington at
1850 a. m Those who went along besides
Mr.. Mitchell and Mr.. Darrow were Henry
-. Lloyds, OF Chicago, an advisor, and
Miss E. c. Morris. Mr.. MitcheIPs private
secretary. From Washington IL is expected
the party will go to New York, returning
here on Friday. That was the programme
this evening. Before leaving Mr.. Mitchell
had conference with his district presi
dents-McNichols, Duffy and Fahy. The
nature of 1T could not be learned. The dis
Irict omcials OF the union now here will
remain in the city.
The larger part of the committee of in.
dependent operators left for New York at
3:45 this afternoon. Some members of the
committee left earlier in the day The mis-
sion or the independent operators to New
YORK Is best expressed in a statement made
to-day by one of the representatives of the
small companies, who said: "The inde-
pendent operator has no income beyond the
profits derived from mining coal When
the mining OF coal and the breaker is
stopped his revenues also cease but the
expense In maintaining the property goes
on; The larger companies, owned by the
railroads., depend on their freight rates to
maintain their collIeries while in idleness
Inc independent companies are paying the
miners s as much now as they can AFFORD.
the large companies the large companies
must give the independents lower rate
10 meet the increase in wages. This is
the mission or the committee. IL they re-
fuse TO make a concession i'm freight rates
or It's equivalent then it is probabl the in
dependent companies will insist upon the
wnoie matter being thrashed out before
the commission The independent comma
MES feel they have a good case, and are
Wiling 10 leave II to the commission.
WAGES PAID BY INDEPENDENTS
Mr.. Mitchell, in his testimony before the
commission last week. said that $500 year
would be fair American standard of liy-
ing wages. Some of the Independent COM
panies are paying an average of over 500 a
ing under those figures. Therefore. If a
10 per cent increase is agreed upon. the
amount OF money to- be paid To the mon
by the independents would be greater than
that OF the large companies.
Several of the resident attorneys NJ tho
large companies also went to New York
departing for the purpose of confarrfnr,
with the head officials OF the corpora tions
they represent. They pleaded ignorance
as TO any developments in the situation
saying they were going TO the metropolis
TO get information.
Nothing was done here looking towards
settlement of the existing differences
without the aid OF the strike commission
Mr. Darrow had a brief conference with
Ire II. Burns. one of the attorneys for the
independent coal companies, but both gem
tlemen said there was no Significance to
IL. Mr.. Darrow said: 1--WE met here to
know one another better
The outlook for a settlement remains
hopeful, in fact more hopeful than ever
operators and mine workers show that oll
are wearying of the strife and are willing
to waive point here and there to end Ihe
uncertainty of the situation and restore
peace and harmony TO the community and
coal trade generally.
the commission, Messfs. Parker Watkins
and Clark. was at headquarters all day
but not called upon to offer its con-
ciliatory assistance TO either side
There Is some talk here OF having Con-
gress enact a law making a permanent
mission. but nothing definite I'm this line
was done.
John MarLIe I'm New York.
NEW YORK. Nov. 24--John Markle. the