The Savannah morning news., 1902-11-22
MINERS AND OWNERS
ARE TRYING TO ADJUST THEIR
DIFFERENCES.
WITHOUT AID OF COMMISSION.
SURPRISE WAS SPRUNG IN THE
COMMISSIONS SESSION.

Mine Workers and The Mine own
ers-The Commission Will Con-
tinue Its Work and May he a Body
of Cancellation Not Known
whence the Proposition to Settle
mated.
Scranton, Pa, Nov. 21.-The mine
workers, through their representa-
tives, have agreed with the mine own
ers to attempt to adjust the differ
ences existing between them outside
the Anthracite Coal Strike Commits
sion.
The proposition was made on COM
promise basis, and negotiations, it is
expected, will be at once entered upon,
with a reasonable hope of settlement,
with the aid of the arbitrators. The
rough proposition, which is to form
the basis of negotiations, is a 10 per
cent. increase in wages, a nine-hour
day, and trade agreements between
the miners and the company by whom
they are employed.
The only one of the four demands
not touched upon is that of the weigh
ing of coal by the legal ton. While
both sides have expressed willingness
to settle their differences among
themselves, it is not to be construed
that it carries with it the acceptance
of the terms proposed. They are
mentioned only as basis, it is under
stood, from which a settlement is to
be effected.
1t is possible that the foundation
already laid can be wrecked by either
party holding out too strongly against
some question, and thus leave the
whole matter in the hands of the
commissioners, who, in the meantime,
wifi act as a sort of a board of con-
citation, rather than as a board Of
arbitration.
Negotiations n Surprise.
Few persons were aware that an at
tempt would be made at an outside
settlement until it was practically so
intimated by Judge Gray, the chair
man of the commission, who read a.
carefully prepared announcement
from the bench" The move one
of the most important in the whole
history of the coal strike, created a
mild sensation when it became known.
The surprise was all the greater when
it will be remembered that numerous
persons, from the President of the
United States down, and that many
organizations, from the National Civic
Federation to the small boards of
trade of the mining towns, failed to
bring the two parties together.
1t is said it was all brought about
by both sides seeing that the proceed
ings before the commission would be
interminab BILE, and that in the inter-
mingling of the lawyers for both sides
the outside agreement proposition was
preached and taken up. 1t cannot be
officially stated which party made the
proposition first. The attorneys for
both sides are averse to talking, but
those who were inclined to say some
thing differ in their statements.
An attorney for one of the railroads
said it came from the miners side,
while one lawyer for the miners said
it came from the operators. Another
representative of the miners said it
was a Spontaneous" proposition. 1t
is generally believed. however, that
the operators were the first to make
the proposition.
Credit Given MacVeagh.
Wayne MacVeagh, who carried on
such a brilliant cross examination of
President Mitchell is given credit for
bringing about the present situation.
He went to New York after he finished
with Mr. Mitchell and had a confer
ence with certain persons connected
with the coal industry, among them, it
is reported j. PierpOnt Morgan. He
was in New York to-day in connection
with the matter.
The commissioners were Informed of
the new turn of affairs last night, and
acquesced in the proposed arrange
ment. The subject did not directly
come up in the public hearing to-day,
and the. adjournment proposition was
made Ustensibly TO permit both sides to
complete their work of preparation CT
documentary evidence.
Clarence S. barrow Of Chicago, one
of Mr.. Mitcheils attorneys, brought
the matter out when, near the close OF
to-days session, he suggested that the
miners be given a little more time TO
prepare their evidence. The miners
wanted to present the due bills or wage
statements Of thousands of miners run
ming back for several years, and they
found that the task of presenting them
in proper manner was stupendouS
one. They also wanted to carefully ex-
anime the company books, and this,
too, would take considerable time.
Commission Had a Surprise.
While Mr.. barrow was saying this,
the commissioners were all attention,
and no one outside of them and few
representatives on each side OF the case
knew what was coming. Judge Gray,
IN reply to Mr.. barrow, said that the
commission would be very glad to CO.
operate in bringing about the accom-
plishment of that end.
I'VE have been aware for some
time" he said, that while the testi-
mony that has been adduced has been
very interesting, and | Will, not say
that it has not been of value. has not
Yet borne directly upon the points at
Issue between the parties to this con-
troversy."
After delivering this, the chairman
read the announcement which had
been prepared by the commission IN
advance. 1t was as follows:
"Acceding to the suggestion just
made by counsel that an interval of
time be taken for the preparation OF
the documentary evidence. and for
possible agreement as to certain points
to-day, and the figures which would
forward the work of the commission.
the commission desires to express the
nope that an effort will be made by
lhe parties to come TO an agreement
upon nearly all, II not all, the matters
now in controversy, and that they viii
alopt the suggestion heretofore made
uy me commission TO counsel on both
ues, that we aid them in such an ef-
''il by our conciliatory Offices.
II seems 10 as that many OF the
ondltions complained of~and which
"u'e been the subject and study OF
Ntl cousttutlOn--nlght be better REM