Evening journal., 1902-11-24
ARB|TRATORS TO
HAVE LAST SAY
TheyaWill Assume Response
bility for Any Award
That Is Made
SUB COMMITTEE HAS BEEN NAMED

Journing Saturday until December
the anthracite coal strike commission
appointed Messrs. watkins. Parker
and Clarke subcommittee to repre-
sent them at the meeting of the min
ers and operators. 1t is the hope and
expectation of all parties to the con-
troversy that when the arbitrators
again meet an agreement on nearly ALL
If not all. the points in dispute will
have been reached for submission to
and approval of the commissioners. At
torneys on both sides express the opin-
ion that an amicable adjustment will
be reached. and predict that the com
missioners will make only one more
trip to this city.
The commissioners want it under
stood that they have the last say in
the adjustment Of the differences; that
they will carry the full responsibility
for whatever award, If any, they
make, TT that whatever Is agreed
upon n I've their full approval be-
fore tEc T. ceement can be put into
operation. The subcommittee Satur-
day afternoon called into conference
as many attorneys representing all
the parties before the commission as
could be gathered on short notice, and
stated to them the attitude of the com
mission.
After the meeting a statement was
given out in order that the general
public which the commission regards
as seriously interested in the proceed
ings, might know the position Of the
arbitrators regarding the new turn af-
fairs took on Friday. This statement.
in full, is as follows:
Scranton. Pa, Nov. p, 1902.-It ap-
pears that there is some misunder-
standing or some lack of understand
ing in connection with the recess taken
by the commission and the suggestion
in that connection that possibly the
contestants might be able to agree
upon some of the important points in
volved
"The recess was desired by counsel
for both sides because authoritative
statements of hours and wages which
are being prepared are not as yet
ready.
fThe suggestion was made that per
haps some agreement might be reach
ed between the principals which would
simplify the problem and assist in
reaching proper conclusions. The
chairman, speaking for the commits
sion, stated that the commission would
gladly cooperate, as far as could con-
sistently be done, in furthering an ef-
fort to reach an understanding
through conciliatory means and
methods.
"The idea has gone out in some
quarters that the matter is to be set
tied without further effort or respon.
sibillty on the part Of the commission.
This idea is entirely wrong. The
commission will, as announced. cheer
fully encourage conciliatory spirit and
action between the parties to The con
troversy, but the commission has not
surrendered, and viii not surrender
Jurisdiction of any of the matters
which have been referred to it, nor re
sponsihility for the conclusion reached
No adjustment can be made which
does not, by it's terms, commend itself
strongly enough to secure the ap
proval of the commission and its In
corporation in the award.
"With q view and for the purpose
Of removing any misunderstanding
which might exist, the subcommittee
of the commission invited such of the
counsel representing the several inter
ests involved as could be reached e
meet this afternoon"
The position to be taken by the in
dependent coal operators with regard
TO the tentative agreement betweeI
the large coal companies and the min'
workers to settle their dispute outside
the anthracite coal strike commission
but with the conciliatory assistance o
the arbitrators. has not yet been def
nitely decided upon. The independ
ents held meeting Saturday night. a
which were present the representa-
tives of about 26 companies, and I
committee Of nine was appointed to s.
20 New York tomorrow for the pun
pose of meeting the presidents Of tn
coal carrying railroads and learn from
them what the Independent companie
are to expect providing they agree I
go along and adjust the labor disput
without arbitration. Until they lear
what the large companies intend t
do the independents will make no pos
tive stand, beyond that which the
took in the hearing before the con
mission on Saturday. That was to tn
effect that they object to the commits
sion approving any agreement
which the independent operators ar
not included.
The independent operators wi
make a firm stand for some recogn
ton in the matter of a settlement wit
the miners. It is authoritatively sta
ed that they will not assume the att
tude of belligerents when the commi
tee meets the coal presidents. nor wi
they appear as suppliants. The ind
nendents feel that if an increase